2002 was Installux Gulf's best year ever, with the aluminium firm setting new records in the number of orders it executed, the size of the projects, the number of new customers it won and growth opportunities it was presented with, says general manager Basim Al Saie.

The Bahrain-based quality aluminium systems specialist's efforts at implementing its growth plan are now bearing fruit, he adds.

"We have always looked at the long term and have built strong relationships with our customers - and the results can be seen now and will be evident for years to come. Installux was a little-known brand when we entered the market. It is now recognised as one of the quality aluminium systems in the Gulf," he says.

The France-based Installux Group comprises four major companies specialising in high-quality aluminium systems, office partitions, awnings, shop-fittings and signage. Installux has an extensive range of more than 35 different aluminium systems and 1,000 different references of profiles covering every major category. The aluminium systems have been successfully used on a variety of projects ranging from small residential villas to multi-storey institutional-type buildings.

The largest project that Installux Gulf won last year was for Emaar Properties' development, The Greens, at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, UAE. Installux supplied curtain-walls, doors and windows for the first phase of the project, which encompasses 18 buildings and is scheduled for completion by March this year.

"The project presented a number of challenges, requiring new specially developed profiles with a tight delivery schedule," Al Saie points out. Installation work was carried out by Union Industries of Dubai.

Al Saie describes Dubai as a trendsetting and mature market which leads the region in terms of technology and know-how in the construction sector.

"With its experience in real estate development, there is more awareness of the need to use quality systems and owners and consultants are moving towards internationally recognised systems such as Installux," he says.

Qatar is one of the company's most important markets where it supplied two and four-sided structural glazing systems, windows and doors for the 22-storey Gulf Tower. Some 17,000 sq m of aluminium composite cladding is being used for the project, which is due for completion shortly.

Another major project for Installux in Doha was the extension to the Landmark shopping mall. Here, the company supplied two giant barrel vaults - each 56 m long and 6 m wide - and a dome, 12 m in diameter.

In Saudi Arabia, Installux has a tie-up with Riyadh-based aluminium fabricator Al Muhaidib Metal Industries. With the support of Al Muhaidib, Installux has introduced the system to several consultants in Saudi Arabia which has resulted in an increased number of enquiries. Al Saie expects to see a number of orders emanating from the Kingdom over this year.

He continues: "Installux was the first international aluminium systems company to open a regional office in the Gulf in May 1997 and I believe that it is the right and most efficient way to do business in the region," he says. "Since we started operations, four other system manufacturers have followed the same path.

"Competition is tough with margins being tight as a result of over-supply. However, we view competition as being healthy as, the more systems there are in the market the more awareness there will be about quality systems. Unfortunately, some system suppliers which have been in the market since a long time do not see it that way."

Meanwhile, Installux Gulf has also been busy promoting the other products produced by the group, namely, awnings from Stores Roche, office partitions from Tiaso and shop-fittings from Sofadi. Al Saie reports very good sales growth for these products.

Looking at the economy of the region as a whole, he comments: "The market looks very positive with oil prices having been steady for more than three years. Given the low interest rates globally and the turmoil in the stock market, people are investing in real estate which spells good news for the construction sector.

"One of the effects of the September 11 attacks in the US is that some people in the region have moved their investments into real estate.

In addition, there is increased focus on tourism-related developments including resorts, hotels and malls."

During 2003, Al Saie intends to increase the company's focus on sales and marketing with greater participation in exhibitions and seminars and direct marketing activities.