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Expansion of capacity, products range and markets are the key elements of International Building Systems Factory (IBSF) Company's strategy to meet the challenges of the new era.
IBSF, a major pre-engineered buildings specialist and steel fabricator based in the Second Industrial Area of Riyadh, has seen significant growth in sales and markets in recent years.
The company's turnover increased 20 per cent to SR150 million ($40.5 million) last year primarily due to the establishment of new markets such as Africa and the Far East, says Mahmoud Eid, general manager.
IBSF, with over 20 years experience in steel buildings market, is expecting to meet its forecast for sales and production for 2000-2001 and to lead the steel industry in this area, he says.
To meet the growing demand IBSF is setting up a new plant - IBSF Plant 2 - which is expected to be operational by September 2000.
The company is also introducing a new line for sandwich panels incorporating concealed fasteners which will start operation next month (June).
IBSF currently has a plant comprising 30,000 sq m of building for production, warehouses, and offices and 20,000 sq m of uncovered area for storage and a transit area.
The plant's current manufacturing capacity is 40,000 tonnes of steel buildings/steel structure and accessories. It has a staff strength total of 500 employees.
IBSF imports raw materials from Europe, Far East, Australia and the US and its products meet the ASTM, UBC, MBMA, AISC and AWS standards. The company is also accredited to ISO 9001 since 1998.
According to Eid, IBSF plans to introduce the following new products soon:
These products will boost the company's current range which includes:
Among the recent major projects undertaken by the company is the new slaughterhouse in Makkah for the Ministry of Public Works, which is considered the largest in the world.
IBSF was asked to design, detail, fabricate, supply and erect approximately 7,000 tonnes of steel buildings in less than three months. These buildings were completed and commissioned and operated during the Haj season this year, says Najjar.
This fast track project was constructed under the management of SaudConsult.
IBSF has established an engineering office in Manila, Philippines, for the design and detailing of pre-engineered steel buildings/structural steels, high rise buildings and electrical towers using the heights software technology.
Speaking on the company's markets, deputy general manager Elias Najjar says 50 per cent of the products are sold within the Kingdom and the rest is exported.
"We export our products to all Gulf states, some other Arab countries, countries in Africa and the Far East. Our exports are rising because we have managed to make inroads into markets in Africa and the Far East," says Najjar.
IBSF is planning to open explore further markets in other African and the Far Eastern countries.
"IBSF's goal is to keep expanding and opening sales offices in more countries on a yearly basis," says Mufid Hattab, general sales manager.
"IBSF with its wise marketing strategy is maintaining an order book for a minimum of six months ahead," he says.
"Saudi Arabia is IBSF's base and we are securing our share of the market through our sales offices in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar and through a wide network of certified builders," says Hattab.
"The market is very competitive and IBSF is committed to face the competition by offering competitive prices, highest quality standard, faster delivery time and best before and after-sales services," he says.
