''Catnic steel lintels provide a combination of strength and light weight, resulting in an efficient loadbearing performance and increased productivity on site," says a spokesman for the company. "In addition to the use of high-quality galvanised steel, the lintels are further protected against corrosion by the addition of a thermosetting polyester powder coating.''

Building on its strength in the steel lintels market, Catnic also supplies a comprehensive range of building components and plasterers' profiles. Catnic's range of plasterers' beads is available in both steel and uPVC, and has been specifically formulated to cover most plastering applications.

For applications where steel is the preferred option, Catnic offers a comprehensive range of precision-engineered steel plasterers beads. The range comprises 14 profile designs suitable for either internal or external use (or both in some cases).

''The beads are easily fixed by nail or plaster dab, generating strong arises, edges and joints that are impact and crack-resistant. All application requirements are covered, from external render work to drywall and thin coat plaster applications. The beads are manufactured from high grade galvanised or stainless steel, depending upon the application,'' explains the spokesman.

He continues: ''Catnic's uPVC range of non-corrosive, impact-resistant plasterers' beads has been designed for use where high moisture or damp may exist internally and externally and as a cost-effective alternative to stainless steel.

''Catnic offers five options in the range - angle bead, plasterstop bead, corner bead, bell cast render bead and dry wall corner arch bead. Each profile is constructed from white, high-density polyvinylchloride external window grade and packed for ease of handling and cutting in convenient polysleeves.

The versatility of the uPVC range allows plaster depths ranging from 3 mm to 13 mm to be accommodated, with excellent keying combined with ease of fixing.

''Catnic's extensive range of plasterers' beads is designed specifically to offer specifiers, plasterers and builders one of the widest choice of beads available, satisfying all aesthetic and technical requirements for new build, refurbishment and maintenance projects.''

All of Catnic's products are manufactured in accordance with the relevant British standards. In addition, Catnic is an ISO 9002-registered company renowned for its conformance to the highest quality standards and levels of service, he says.

Its distributors in the region include Y K Almoayyed & Sons in Bahrain; Tadmur Establishment in Qatar; Kuwait Maritime & Mercantile Company, Kuwait; Mohsin Haider Darwish (UBM Division) in Oman; and Mac Al Gurg in the UAE.