Gulf Construction Online - Bahrain group meets market demands

Pipes

BP’s production facility in Salmabad ... poised for expansion.

Bahrain group meets market demands

Krah Bahrain, a Haji Hassan Group company, is supplying 1.5 linear km of pipe to a prestigious STP project, work on which is coming to a close.

01 August 2012

KRAH Bahrain, a division of Haji Hassan Group of Bahrain, is set to complete delivery this month (August) on one of the most prestigious projects it has secured since it was set up less than two years ago.

The company has been supplying 1,600-mm-diameter spiral pipes for the sea outfall of a new sewage treatment plant (STP) being built in Bahrain by Samsung Engineering, according to Hussain Al A’Ali, purchasing manager. The STP, which has a capacity of 100,000 cu m per day, is taking shape on a reclaimed greenfield site in Muharraq. It has a long sea outfall that will be used to discharge any unused TSE (treated sewage effluent) and any bypass flows to the sea. Under the deal with Samsung Engineering, Krah Bahrain is supplying 1.5 linear km of pipe for the project.

Krah Bahrain was established in 2010 and houses a facility that produces large diameter PE (polyethylene) pipes using the Krah-spiral cross-winding extrusion process. The company also specialises in fabrication of bespoke PE manholes and fittings to deliver a complete package to its clients.

In the same year, its sister company under the Haji Hassan group umbrella, Bahrain Pipes (BP), also began production of high-pressure high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes of up to 500 mm in diameter. The company is currently marketing these products in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, particularly for potable water and gas applications.

BP was established in 1996 to produce PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipes and provide a local manufacturing source for a diverse range of high-quality products that were hitherto imported. It manufactures pipes and fittings made of PVC, uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride), cPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride), HDPE and LDPE (low-density polyethylene), for the commercial, residential and industrial sectors. It is also a pioneer in the region for polybutylene (Flex pipe) for hot and cold plumbing and heating systems.

“The versatility of plastic pipe systems has made it a preferred choice for a wide range of applications for hot and cold water, energy, gas, conduit, sewerage and other industrial applications,” says A’ali. “The economic and environmental advantages of using the plastic pipes and fittings include resistance to corrosion and prevention of metal contamination thus ensuring hygienic delivery, increased flexibility, durable, tough and lightweight material, leak-free joint fusion, easy installation, and greater life expectancy, amongst others.”

Over the past couple of years, the company has increased its injection moulding capacity by 30 to 35 per cent to expand its fittings range, which now includes Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 fittings, according to A’ali.

“We provide fittings for most of our products and in cases where special requirements are to be met we help our clients in sourcing these fittings,” he says.

Commenting on the market, A’ali says: “The market is consumer-driven and price-sensitive and hence is very competitive. We have maintained our market position by focusing on quality and offering products that respond to market requirements.

“We have hand-picked products that are produced using materials that are best in their field.”

BP’s factory, located in Salmabad, has several production lines where products are manufactured to high international standards and now is poised for expansion with new lines for cPVC, uPVC and HDPE pipes and fittings, according to A’ali.

The company has a strong team of professionals, including technicians and engineers to support its operation. BP has a staff strength of about 130 employees. Its factory has quality control laboratories equipped with the latest equipment and German technology to ensure the quality of its products.

“Extensive testing is conducted in-house to ensure the long-term durability of our products under extremes of temperature and pressure. Our products are also tested by internationally renowned certification bodies who conduct spot audits to ensure product quality,” he says.

The company accords high priority to quality and has received many certifications for quality from local and international organisations, including NSF (National Sanitation Foundation), Saudi Arabian Standards Organisation (Saso), in addition to the UK’s WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme), SKZ, and Bodycote.

The quality management system (QMS) of the company is certified to ISO 9001:2008 standards. BP adheres to international standards such as ASTM, BS/EN, DIN, and AS/NZS in the manufacture of its products.

BP’s product portfolio ... hand-picked to meet market demand.

The firm buys its raw materials from large global manufacturers of quality plastic products, including Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic).

BP is currently supplying to a large number of projects in Bahrain including the Mina Salman Interchange, North Manama Causeway, Zayed Town housing project, Bahrain Investment Wharf, Asry basin infrastructure, Tatweer projects and Diyar Al Muharraq.

Its list of satisfied customers in Bahrain includes various government ministries and organisations, such as the ministries of housing and works, and municipalities affairs and agriculture, Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), Batelco, and major construction companies for roads and buildings. Amongst the major projects undertaken by BP include the supply of HDPE pipes to the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and several prominent developments in Bahrain including Riffa Views, Bahrain Bay, Lulu Island, Bahrain Financial Harbour, Durrat Al Bahrain, Hidd Port Infrastructure Phase Two, Bahrain International Airport runway and Alba expansion.

The company is now looking to expand its horizons to meet the demands of the international markets as well. Its products have already gained a foothold in the Gulf and further afield, particularly in Iraq, Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Tunisia, Kuwait, Morocco, Malta and India.

“We have had positive feedback on where in market is heading and we are looking at increasing our product range and capacity, focusing on products that will enable us to offer a complete water management system,” A’Ali concludes.