Arabian Fiberglass Insulation Company (Afico) is enjoying record sales throughout the GCC due to increased construction activity that has been enabled by the rise in oil prices.

“It’s a mini-boom that looks back to 25 years ago when oil prices soared to an unprecedented high and the Gulf was awash with surplus petrodollars,” says Antoine Abou Mansour, general manager. “However, today’s market is much more sophisticated and discerning than those early years and there is a high demand for quality products such as those produced by Afico.
“In fact the company’s quality is so superior that it now exports products to Europe – reversing the previous reliance on imported products – with the added advantage of competitive pricing due to the value of the euro against the US dollar and the Saudi riyal.”
An ISO 9002 certified company for more than 10 years, Afico has recently secured new ISO 9001-2000 certification and was certified for ISO 14001 last August. In addition, the company is the first in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia to get such a certificate through TUV Germany.
Its distinct position in the industry is demonstrated by the fact that Afico was responsible for the formation of the Fiberglass Insulation Manufacturing Association (FIMA) – a group that comprises manufacturers and representatives for engineering firms, contractors and distributors. The company was also the sponsor of the second Annual Insulation Conference, held as part of the Gulf Construction Conference Week in Dubai last month.
Afico has supplied its high-quality thermal and acoustical insulation products to many major projects in the UAE, including Dubai Marina phase 2, Al Nakheel Garden furnished apartments, Arabian Ranches, Al Raha resort, the Dubai International Convention Centre and hotel projects, various Green Community projects, 384 villas in the Jumeirah Island project, Etisalat Tower and Trade Centre, Emaar headquarters, the Emirates Palace, and Tabreed cooling plant in Abu Dhabi.
Currently, the company is also supplying its products to several construction projects in Iraq and is looking forward to continued business as the country sets upon rebuilding its infrastructure.
As a company with a policy of corporate social responsibility, Afico is promoting the advantages of using insulation materials in terms of energy conservation, protecting the environment, and contributing to the well being of people, says Abou Mansour. This includes long-term cost savings – an aspect that will be considerably enhanced in the coming year when Afico introduces its Total Solution Systems, which are designed to supply a variety of markets with efficient and cost-effective wall, roof and ceiling insulation packages for a wide range of projects, he adds.
Afico, a member company within the Amiantit Group, owes its position of being a leading regional manufacturer of thermal and acoustical insulation products to the fact that Amiantit is the world leader in fibreglass manufacturing technologies, says Abou Mansour.
Established in 1968 in Dammam, Saudi Arabian Amiantit Company’s prime role to initiate and manage new industrial projects, and market its technologies and products. The company also monitors and controls the business of all the Amiantit Group subsidiaries through its corporate management office in Dammam. 
The Amiantit Group is a leading industrial organisation with a global presence and has several companies in its fold – both within the kingdom and abroad – that manufacture various kinds of pipes, joints, fittings, tanks, rubber and insulation products, and related accessories. Other activities include own and transfer technology, and water project consultancy and management all around the world.