Proactive QDC meets demand
01 October 2012
CHANGE’, ‘upgrade’ and ‘expand’ are key buzzwords at Qanbar Dywidag Precast Concrete Company (QDC), which has initiated a number of measures in anticipation of an increase in demand for its products. Building on the reputation it has gained over three decades in the industry, the specialist precast concrete manufacturer is poised to witness the full completion of its joint venture precast factory in Qatar next month (November), while its operations in Saudi Arabia are being upgraded and expanded.
In addition, QDC has made several additions and changes to its senior management staff at its main office in Jubail.
“QDC continues to experience a strong and robust demand for its precast and prestressed concrete products for both commercial and residential construction projects throughout Saudi Arabia and Qatar,” says John Dobbs, who was appointed as CEO and general manager of QDC in June.
Dobbs brings with him more than 35 years of engineering and management experience in the precast, prestressed concrete products industry. His most recent assignment was as president of Blakeslee Prestress in Branford, Connecticut, US.
Other recent changes to the management staff include the promotions of Mohammed Abdullah to sales manager, Mohammed Saber as senior construction engineer and Sayed Mohammed as acting quality control manager. The company also intends to strengthen its sales staff in Jeddah and Riyadh.
QDC is planning several factory improvements at its two facilities in Jubail in the Eastern Province, and Rabigh in the Western Province.
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A housing project ... one of many QDC is involved in. |
The company is in the process of installing a new state-of-the-art concrete batching plant and planning the construction of a new mess hall, training centre and supervisor’s offices at its main factory in Jubail. At its Rabigh factory, meanwhile, the company has recently installed new lighting for its second shift work and is planning the construction of a new mess hall and the installation of a new wireless connectivity and VoIP for direct communication in Rabigh. This will also improve communications with the main office in Jubail, says Dobbs.
QDC is currently working on a diverse range of projects in Saudi Arabia under subcontracts with some of the major contractors in Saudi Arabia.
It has a number of housing projects under way for the Royal Commission in Jubail, including the Ma’aden apartments and family apartments, under subcontracts with Azmeel Contracting and Khonaini International Company, respectively, and is poised to start work on further apartments and Dareen Housing (involving the supply of hollowcore slabs and beams), with Khonaini International Company and Gualgsha Middle East Contracting, respectively.
The company is also carrying out other housing projects for the Saudi Aramco Shell Refinery Company (Sasref) in Jubail (Khonaini International Company) and is set to embark on work that entails the supply of full frames for housing projects Two, Three and Four in Jubail for Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic), with the contractor Beijing Construction Engineering Group Company.
Other ongoing projects include supply of precast components for Yanbu Export Refinery for Saudi Aramco, under a subcontract from Kil Jin Kang and Partners; architectural cladding panels at Qassim University in Yanbu for the Ministry of Education (Al Mansouryah); and cladding and fence panels for the Ministry of Hajj premises in Makkah (Al Angari Trading).
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QDC has several major ongoing projects. |
Some of QDC’s other new orders for projects in Saudi Arabia include supply of cladding panels for the extension of Saudi Aramco’s fire training centre in Juaymah to Advanced Industry for General Contracting Company; and arch culverts for Sadara, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Dow in Jubail, under a subcontract from Ahmad Al Binali Holding.
Meanwhile, Qatar International Precast – QDC’s joint venture in Qatar which launched commercial production last year – expects to see full completion of its entire factory next month (November). Work is currently ongoing on the casting beds as well as the administration building at the facility in Doha, according to Mark Schumacher, general manager. As joint venture partner, QDC is responsible for overseeing the management of QIP.
QIP has recently appointed Joseph Gilbert Canete as sales manager. He brings with him 20 years of experience in precast concrete products sales in the Gulf region, with the last 15 years being in Qatar. The company is currently also bidding on several major projects in Qatar including the ISF Camp Dubahil; Abu Hammour sewer tunnel; Lusail Expressway; Migrant Worker Initiative; and Doha Metro underground tunnels.
QIP, which has its main office in Mesaieed Industrial City, has a production capacity of approximately 75,000 cu m per year and currently employs about 200 people.
QDC’s main office is based in Jubail Industrial City and it has sales offices in Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah. The company has a production capacity of approximately 500,000 cu m per year from its three factories in Saudi Arabia – 220,000 cu m per year from the two factories in Jubail and 280,000 cu m per year from the Rabigh factory. It currently employs about 2,600 people.
Since 1981, QDC has maintained a tradition of supplying quality precast concrete products with distinguished service at a competitive price. The specialised precast concrete company designs, manufactures, delivers and installs precast and prestressed concrete components to customer specifications. All its products are based on international standards such as PCI (Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute), ACI (American Concrete Institute) and BS (British Standards).
“QDC and QIP continue to invest in numerous factory improvements with a research and development team that is constantly studying the market and introducing new building systems and products to meet current demands,” concludes Dobbs.
