On back of a successful year in business, Saudi Arabia-based Al Kifah Batching Plant (KBP) is looking forward to a year of expansion, new markets and new products that would eventually help the company post a larger increase in sales.

“Al Kifah Batching Plant enjoyed a substantial surge in business during the past year,” says general manager Abdulrahman Al Katheer. “The company posted sales of SR23.286 million ($6.2 million), which was SR3.286 million ($870,000) more than the target. The continued indication of a bullish market this year makes us confident of meeting our sales target and even going far beyond that figure,” he adds.
Explaining the reasons behind the growth, he says: “One of the major contributors for such a big leap in sales has been the opening of our Dubai office last year, which has allowed us to communicate directly with our customers.
“Another development was the expansion of our engineering team in the design production and electrical departments. Their contribution may not be directly gauged at present, but their innovative concepts will make our products more competitive in the advancing market.”
KBP has announced it will begin work at its factory in Hofuf, Eastern Province, in the next six months to expand production capacity and manufacture new products. The expansion will see the company increase capacity from 26 to 40 plants per year.
KBP is claimed to be the Middle East’s sole manufacturer of mobile, portable and static concrete batching and mixing plants and accessories such as complete aggregate sand washing plants, cement silos, radial and static conveyors and electric control panels.
Besides the manufacture of computerised and semi-automatic concrete batching plants and components, the company also undertakes the refurbishment, upgrade and repair old plants and components.
“We are tooled with highly competent electrical/electronic and mechanical engineers who are ready to respond customers’ need,” says Al Katheer.
Commenting on the local markets, he continues: “The construction scene in the region is not very aggressive. Nevertheless, local and other Arab businessmen have kept the sector on the move and the latest announcement by the Saudi Crown Prince regarding the establishment of Jubail Industrial City II and other Yanbu projects – which have been allocated budget of SR64 billion – will provide a considerable boost to the construction industry.”
Established in 1992 at Hasa Industrial City, KBP is purely a local entity. From the start of its operation, the company has completed, delivered and commissioned a total of 57 readymix and block plants along with a number of components that include radial and stationary conveyors, cement silos, feedhopper, and spare parts.
Currently, the company is working towards achieving the timely delivery of 13 concrete batching plants, aside from orders for radial conveyors, cement silos, feed hoppers and spare parts. With an average price tag of SR1.3 million for each load-on plant, the company is working on an order value of SR16.9 million, says Al Katheer.
While most of these orders have come from within the kingdom, there have been orders from the other GCC countries and Syria as well, he says. Although the plants vary in size and complexity, the average fabrication time required per plant could be in the range of about a month, he adds.
KBP has been able to break through into the Syrian market through an order from Al Bardan, says Al Katheer. “The order – the first from the region – is for a concrete batching plant and the performance of the plant will definitely promote our name throughout the region. The plant, which was due for completion last month, has an order value of SR1.15 million. Although the influx of new orders has made it difficult for us to cope with using our regular staff, we have hired the services of Najma Contracting to boost our current labour force,” he adds.
In a bid to expand beyond the markets of the GCC, KBP is also planning to take an active part in the rebuilding of Libya and Iraq.
As regards new products, he says: “The company has not developed new products recently, but plans are under way to manufacture items, which are currently purchased from Italy. Our plan is to manufacture pan mixers, twin-shaft mixers and transit mixers locally so that we could save on cost of transport and labour, and at the same time lower the price of the plant as well.”
With its batching plants operating in most of the Middle East countries, KPB has maintained a reputation for adopting the latest innovative design techniques, offering customers a range of specifications and environmental considerations to choose from.
He continues: “Our quality production and simple inexpensive erection has gained recognition in all GCC states and neighbouring countries including Jordan, Syria, Egypt and Lebanon. We offer quick after-sales service by our locally resident and highly qualified technicians.
“Our major contribution to the construction industry is the introduction of computerised batching plants. Their labour and cost efficiencies are the main factors that make an incalculable impact in construction industry.
“The use of scientific mixtures has allowed shorter mixing times and allowed an output of 120 cu m per hour for both wet and dry mixing. In addition, programmable digital weighing system, level indicators and timing devices have helped in eliminating errors to a large extent. The plant is fitted with dust filters specifically to retain and recycle dust and emit fresh air into the atmosphere with a filtering efficiency of 99 per cent,” he says.
At present the company has a 100-member team working at its 20,000 sq m facility. It also has a 3,000 sq m warehouse.
“Due to our hard work and commitment to attaining high standards, KBP has gained the prestigious ISO 9001 certification. With our highly-qualified administrative and technical staff, we assure our valued customers top-quality products and services. The plants we have supplied and erected offer proof of our expertise,” Al Katheer concludes.