zahid's new assembly plant for Volvo FH and FM trucks in Jeddah, which went into operation last September, has already secured large orders in the local market.

Zahid Tractor and Heavy Machinery Company joined hands with the Sweden-based Volvo, which is part of Volvo Construction Equipment (VCE), to set up the Arabian Vehicles and Trucks Industry Company (AVI) which operates the facility.

"The project was first discussed by Volvo Truck International and Zahid Tractor as early as 1983 but both parties felt that the brand needed developing in Saudi Arabia and general economic factors needed to be conducive to manufacturing trucks locally." explains a company spokesman.

The plant, built over a 10,000 sq m site, has the capacity to assemble 600 Volvo trucks per year for the Saudi Arabian market.

The shop floor covers 1,980 sq m while the entire complex, including executive offices, covers 3,000 sq m.

The overall design is based on prototype Volvo factories of the same type and scale developed over many years with ergonomics having been taken into consideration. The superstructure comprises Kirby pre-engineered steel insulated walls with reinforced beams set upon a concrete slab.

The consultant on the project was Innovators (Al Mubdiyoon) while the turnkey project was given to contractor Saudi ABV. Both are umbrella firms within the Amoudi Group of Companies.

Foundation work on the facility began February 1999 and was completed in August last year, with the first trucks coming off the line last September. "The work proceeded precisely on schedule with no delays. Coordination between client, contractor and subcontractors was excellent. There were no particular challenges or difficulties encountered," says the spokesman.

Electromechanical works was carried out according to Saudi standards and in keeping with Volvo's specifications, includes a Peerless fire package, smoke and flame alarms.

Environment was one of the key factors taken into consideration during the construction of the facility.

" A full environmental impact study was completed by a MEPA-approved consultant, covering all aspects of the AVI project to ensure that the operation is environmentally-friendly. The study covered: air emissions and ambient air quality; water and waste water; solid waste (hazardous and non-hazardous); safety and occupational health; noise; impact on neighbouring residential areas and population; and impact on the natural habitat. The project was implemented under the environmental guidelines established by this study," he points out.

Al Bassami International, one of the Kingdom's leading transport companies, recently purchased 50 new Volvo FH trucks which rolled of the AVI assembly line.