01 September 2024

AlKifah Ready Mix & Blocks (KRB), a long-standing leader in Saudi Arabia’s construction industry, is capitalising on its 40 years of expertise to drive growth and innovation through a blend of local insight, product quality, a strong commitment to sustainability and a skilled workforce.

As part of the SaudiMade Programme, KRB is advancing its market presence and reinforcing its reputation for sustainable practices.

Nigel Harries, General Manager of KRB, attributes the company’s success to its deep understanding of the local market and its unwavering commitment to quality.

“Being a Saudi company, KRB has a deep understanding of the local market, culture, and business practices, which gives us a significant advantage in catering to the specific needs of our clients,” Harries states in an exclusive interview with Gulf Construction.

He emphasises that KRB’s local knowledge, coupled with its focus on product innovation, has been critical in maintaining its position as a market leader. By championing local production and prioritising sustainability, the company has won prominent clients such as Aramco, Rua Al Madinah, Neom, PIF subsidiaries, Red Sea Global and Qiddiya, he adds.

KRB’s products are renowned for their durability and consistency, thanks to its rigorous quality control measures and cutting-edge technology. The company adheres to international standards, including ISO 9001:2015 and invests heavily in research and development to introduce new products and improve existing ones that cater to the evolving construction needs. 

 

Environmental Focus

The company has been at the forefront of introducing eco-friendly products in Saudi Arabia.

“KRB was and still is a pioneer in the Saudi market for innovative green and sustainable solutions such as ConGreen, which are ultra-green concrete products, and BloGreen, which are ultra-green block products. These products have been widely adopted in mega and giga projects across the kingdom and have proven their high performance, thus strengthening the company’s position in the Saudi market,” he says.

KRB’s ConGreen solutions have been supplied to Qiddiya in Riyadh and the King Salman Global Maritime Industries Complex in Jubail and is currently being used at the Aramco Stadium project in Al Khobar.

“Al Kifah’s green solutions have unique properties which facilitate tasks on the job site, through their better workability and better finishability,” he adds.

ConGreen leverages CarbonCure technology and natural pozzolans to reduce cement content while maintaining strength and durability, resulting in a lower carbon footprint, in line with Saudi Arabia’s sustainability goals. CarbonCure is an innovative technology that injects carbon dioxide (captured from industrial emitters) into the concrete during the batching process.

KRB also offers special concrete mixes that utilise recycled metal slag aggregates to reduce their carbon footprint. These materials not only have a zero carbon footprint but also a zero resource footprint, he points out.

The company also offers volumetric mobile batch plants (VMBPs), which enable the production of high-quality concrete in remote areas and tough topographies where it is not possible to erect a stationary batch plant. 

“These VMBPs are considered an all-in-one solution offering many advantages such as zero wastage, zero mobilisation time, lower carbon dioxide emission and are a smart solution for supplying concrete in these remote areas,” Harries says.

KRB’s environmental stewardship extends beyond product innovation to include several initiatives:

•  Material recycling: Utilising recycled CO2 (CarbonCure), metal slag, and construction waste in concrete production;

•  Local sourcing: Employing locally sourced materials like natural pozzolan to decrease transportation emissions;

•  Waste management: Implementing waste control measures such as smart reclaimers to minimise waste generated during concrete production;

•  Water conservation: Recycling water and adopting water-saving practices to preserve this scarce resource; and

•  Energy efficiency: Using low-energy production processes like volumetric mobile batch plants.

“Aligning with Saudi Vision 2030, KRB prioritises the use of local and regional resources, maximising the use of raw materials produced in-house by its sister companies. This approach not only boosts the local economy but also contributes to a more efficient supply chain. This also reduces transportation emissions,” he says.

 

SaudiMade

The company’s affiliation with the SaudiMade programme has been instrumental in its growth trajectory.

“Being part of SaudiMade initiative, which is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, has significantly contributed to KRB’s growth and market presence,” says Harries. “The SaudiMade programme emphasises local production and supports companies in expanding their footprint both locally and internationally. For KRB, this membership has bolstered its credibility and helped it secure more contracts, especially for projects that prioritise sustainability and the use of locally sourced materials. The company has also enhanced its green product line, such as ConGreen, which meets rigorous environmental standards and is widely accepted by major clients like Saudi Aramco.”

Overall, participation in the SaudiMade programme has helped KRB not only to grow its market share but also to innovate and lead in sustainable construction practices within Saudi Arabia, he adds.

 

Focus on Quality

To ensure consistent product quality, KRB adheres to stringent quality control measures, leverages advanced technology, and invests heavily in employee training. The company adopts a multifaceted approach to ensure the consistent high quality of its products.

He elaborates: “KRB has a robust quality control system in place, adhering to international standards like ISO 9001:2015. This system involves regular inspections, testing of raw materials and finished products, and continuous monitoring of production processes.

“The company prioritises the use of premium raw materials, sourced locally whenever possible, and subjects them to rigorous testing before use. This ensures that the final products are of superior quality.

“In addition, KRB utilises advanced technology and equipment in its production facilities, allowing for precise control over the mixing and curing processes. This minimises variability and ensures consistent product quality.”

KRB has experienced professionals at all levels, from production and quality control to sales and management, contributing to operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. This apart, the company invests in training and development programmes to ensure its workforce possesses the necessary skills and expertise to maintain high quality standards throughout the production process.

“KRB has an active research and development programme to continually improve its products and processes. This enables the company to stay ahead of industry trends and offer cutting-edge solutions to its customers,” he adds.

Al Kifah’s R&D team is currently working on developing a new generation of geopolymer concrete with near to zero carbon emission, Harries reveals.

KRB uses customer feedback to identify areas for improvement, in line with its commitment to continuous improvement.

“This focus on consistent high quality not only builds customer trust and loyalty but also contributes to the overall success and reputation of the company in the Saudi construction industry,” he remarks.

By combining deep-rooted local knowledge, technological advancements, and a strong commitment to sustainability, AlKifah Ready Mix & Blocks has established itself as a formidable force in the Saudi construction industry. 

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