Sunday, June 8, 2025
Saudi Review

Reinforcing its presence

Saudi Arabian Adhesive Factory (SAAF), a manufacturer of adhesives, sealants and paints, is focusing on reinforcing its presence in the Middle East and increasing its exports.

SAAF is effectively expanding into regions where markets are growing fast. Currently exports, mainly to Middle East countries, account for 15 per cent (or 1,500 tonnes per year) of its adhesive and paints production.

To meet the growing demand in the Middle East, SAAF is setting up a manufacturing unit in Cairo, Egypt, which will commence production in the beginning of 2001. The company is also establishing a distribution network throughout Egypt.

Established in 1975 in joint venture with the Danish Adhesive Company, the company has witnessed tremendous growth with the strong backing of capital, technological and human resources.

The company produces more than 16,000 tonnes of adhesives, sealants and paints per year at its state-of-the-art plants in Riyadh.

It achieved substantial growth in production, technology and turnover during 1999, says Rashied Mahmoud Rashied, factory manager.

"SAAF is closely working with world leaders in chemicals to bring together a vast range of technological skills and knowhow to strengthen its presence worldwide. A number of our products are at the cutting edge of technological innovation," says Rashied.

"In-depth knowledge of our markets' needs has enabled us to build one of the most comprehensive product ranges in the adhesive field and expand to paints," continues Rashied.

The SAAF organisation has three main product divisions:

  • Adhesives: This division produces a wide range of petroleum-based, water-based and PVC adhesives and a range of concrete admixtures for the construction industry.

    A sub-division has been created within this division to fill contact adhesive and PVC adhesives in small aluminium tubes.

  • SAAF-Robbialac Paints: The company is emerging as a leading paint manufacturer in Saudi Arabia. SAAF Robbialac paints and primers are produced under licence from Tintas Robbialac SA, claimed to be the largest paint manufacturer in Portugal. The latest paint manufacturing machinery has been added to increase the production capacity; and

  • Silicone sealants: This division produces and supplies acetoxy/ methoxy/ alkoxy/ neutral sealants in cartridges, with cooperation and assistance from General Electric, US.

    SAAF products are specially formulated for the hot climate of the region, says Rashied.

    SAAF is also the sole distributor for the following world leaders in Saudi Arabia:

  • General Electric (GE) of the US for a wide range of silicone sealants;

  • Ciba Specialty Chemicals for Araldite epoxy adhesive; and

  • ATO Findley for a range of hotmelt adhesives.

    SAAF has a branch office in Jeddah and dealers throughout Saudi Arabia.

    It has also established a dealer network in the entire Middle East region and neighbouring Arab countries, India and Pakistan.

    SAAF has a pool of skilled engineers and management professionals and currently has a total of 120 employees.

    In order to enhance its expsure to customers, SAAF opened its Paint Technical Center on Prince Salman Street, Riyadh.

    This showroom provides customers ready information and demonstration of paints. It also has the latest tinting machine to create thousands of custom colours of customer's choice.

    "SAAF is committed to enrich its technologies, to strengthen its marketing department and to do everything possible to continue to be a leading company for the quality of its products and services," says Rashied.

    The company's quality management system has been certified according to BS EN ISO 9002 standards for the manufacture and supply of petroleum and water-based adhesives, sealants, paints and related products.

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