Gulf Construction Online - BMC marks a record year in waterproofing installation

Saudi Review

BMC marks a record year in waterproofing installation

01 MARCH 2001

BMC, part of Issam Kabbani and Partners Company Limited, set a record last year by installing more than 500,000 sq m of waterproofing and damp-proofing membranes. This represented a 15 per cent increase in turnover on 1999, the firm says.

The company's management believes in a focused strategy - and this factor accounts for its super growth and success, says a spokesman for the Jeddah-headquartered company.

''Waterproofing is an essential integrated component of a building, contributing to the structure's safety and durability, protecting it against accelerated ageing and decay,'' says the spokesman. ''This is especially true in underground structures where future maintenance accessibility is almost impossible and repair efforts enormous with often unwarranted results, despite today's advanced technology in concrete repairs. Therefore, in-depth study of the project's specific conditions and requirements, preferably at the design stage, to ensure selection of the appropriate waterproofing system is a prerequisite for successful construction.''

BMC gives careful consideration to these and other factors when studying and designing the requirements for a specific waterproofing system, while giving attention to related specific environmental and engineering factors.

''About 20 per cent of our clients account for 80 per cent of our turnover and these corporate clients know that they can obtain the same high level of service in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Abha or Madinah,'' the spokesman points out. ''A second important selling point has been BMC's capability to carry substantial stock levels in all branches Kingdomwide.''

BMC carries between SR7 million ($1.86 million) and SR10 million ($2.66 million) of stock just for our waterproofing operations.

'BMC prides itself on its engineering department, which imports up-to-date systems recommended by principals and designs and installs company-branded systems, which are manufactured locally.

BMC manufactures to its own specifications and has established agreements with local traders. It is also a specialist contractor and can install any material, as required. It installs materials from Bitumat, DWI, and Insuwarp and is regarded as a technical leaders in waterproofing in the Kingdom.

''Waterproofing membranes are a low-cost, high-responsibility product and the installation of the product is of paramount importance if it is to fulfill its functions,'' the spokesman points out. ''BMC offers a 10-year guarantee based on its expertise in this field.

The company boasts of being one of the largest non-franchise elastomeric single-ply membrane distributors in the world, in terms of annual sq m applied. It is an approved applicator for all local manufacturers in Saudi Arabia. It is also exclusive distributor and applicator for Carlisle Syntec System, US, a manufacturer of EDPM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). Foreign affiliates include ltalex of Italy and Chainz of the US, which assists the company in product development and procurement.

Since its inception in 1980, BMC has executed more than 20 million sq m of complete waterproofing and damp-proofing systems.