Gulf Construction Online - Modern Glass picks up good business

Glass & Metal

MGT installations ... Junaid Perfumes at Moda Mall.

Modern Glass picks up good business

01 October 2012

BAHRAIN-BASED Modern Glass Technology (MGT), a relative newcomer in the local market, is looking to boost output and its portfolio of products as it gears up to spread its wings across the region.

The company is engaged in the production, sales and marketing of a wide range of clear, tinted and textured glass in a variety of thicknesses, mirrors and related hardware and accessories for residential and commercial properties.

MGT launched operations in 2009 in the glass, mirror and glass-related accessories sector, using the latest technology to produce art glass, decorative glass, glass marble and equipped with glass coating machines. Raw materials for its production come from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and China.

The company currently has a production capacity of 1,600 sq m per month, with an actual output of 800 sq m last year – double of what it produced per month in 2010.

Over the next three months, MGT expects its output to rise by 30 per cent to touch 1,040 sq m per month, according to Alaa Al Wazani, executive director.

Some of the latest machines for finishing glass are currently being installed at its facility in the Salmabad Industrial Area, which will help it add value to its products and enhance the quality, he says.

As part of its expansion plans, by January next year the company intends to set up a separate factory specifically for manufacturing glass products where hand drilling and the latest bevelling technology will be introduced, he says.

Also to enhance its competitive edge in the market, the MGT has embarked on measures to acquire ISO:9001 2008 certification.

“MGT offers a full range of services to help customers explore various possibilities. From design and engineering, to fabrication and installation; and from a huge selection of decorative specialty glasses to one-of-a-kind creations, we open to customers a spectrum of possibilities with glass. And we do it all in-house,” Wazani says.

Its product offering includes frameless glass doors, coloured glass, automatic glass sliding doors, glass partitions, shower enclosures and staircase glass. It also offers sand blasting, bevelling, polishing, tempering and deep etching services and double glazing and stain glass works.

In line with its efforts to diversify its product portfolio, MGT recently introduced fish tanks, which enjoy good demand in the market.

Anotah Garments at Bahrain City Centre.

The company has a team with extensive experience and knowledge. Al Wazani says MGT is proud of the quality of its services. “We guarantee our clients complete satisfaction and ensure that they are provided with a regular supply of all products,” he says.

MGT was set up by Bahraini entrepreneur Ahmed Khan, the company’s managing director, who is supported by his son Yaser Ahmed (operation manager) and Al Wazani.

Since its inception, MGT has been keenly fulfilling local orders and has worked on many prestigious projects.

MGT has been witnessing year-on-year growth despite the difficult economic conditions, registering sales of $220,000 in 2010, which virtually doubled in 2011 to $400,000. The company is now targeting sales of $600,000 for 2012 – and with sales for the first half of the year having touched $320,000, Al Wazani believes MGT is on track to achieving its objectives.

“This shows our efforts are producing results, our product range and variety has increased as has our production,” says Al Wazani.

Some of the major orders handled by the company over the past year include those for the Iceland Tower at Reef Island in Manama worth BD42,000 ($112,120); Al Rayees Decor; and Fontana Tower, Sanad Commercial Building and Kingdom Tower, all for Kooheji Contractors.

“We have been successful with these orders because we completed the delivery on time and maintained quality. On completion, the customers appreciated our work,” Al Wazani says.

Other projects completed in recent months include supply and installation of glass for outlets at Ramli Mall, the ground to sixth floor of East and West Tower at Le Reef, Anotah Garments at Bahrain City Centre, Junaid Perfumes at Moda Mall, Fontana Tower (art decoration mirror), and Diplomat Tower (coating/art glass).

Since its inception in Bahrain, MGT has made concerted efforts to boost its footprint in the market. “We have already opened a trading department for all types of glass and glass accessories, which will improve our marketing and our sales in Bahrain,” Al Wazani says. “We plan to concentrate on the wholesale trading of glass where we would import in bulk and sell it in bulk as well. We also plan to sell in the international market and will open more branches outside Bahrain.”

Glass installations for an outlet in Ramli Mall.

As for the challenges MGT faces, Al Wazani cites the current political and economical situation of Bahraini market to be one of them. “Also, due to the lack of liquidity in the market, investors and businessmen do not have access to required finance, which is affecting the demand for our products.”

To achieve its sales objects, the company intends to open branches in other GCC states next year, including in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE in 2013, where it has already broken into the market with a number of orders.

Towards this end, the company has recently acquired a large plot of land in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, where intends initially to launch trading activities before eventually offering fabrication services.

In the meantime, Modern Glass Technology continues to scout around to enhance its product offering to include electronic glass, such as smart glass, fog mirror, LED glass and Heat glass and is currently in negotiations to acquire agencies. “Also we would like to introduce the idea of new glass art designs and the use of glass as replacement of marble for cladding walls,” says Al Wazani.