Gulf Construction Online - Atlas Copco in Mideast drive

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QC4001.. state-of-the-art control panel.

Atlas Copco in Mideast drive

01 July 2003

Atlas Copco is consolidating its presence in the Middle East by setting up a new regional support centre and introducing products that are designed to withstand the rigours of the region.

Atlas Copco, a relatively recent player in the power generation market, has quickly established itself with a range of models for both prime duty and standby applications. It is now implementing a strategy to consolidate its position in the Middle East.
The strategy involves a new regional support centre exclusively for the Gulf region, new product developments including a state-of-the-art control panel and an expansion of its rental fleet.
Atlas Copco launched its own first all-Atlas Copco sets - the QAS range - in 1996.
'A newly-formed regional support centre in Bahrain is destined to strengthen Atlas Copco's presence in the Gulf area, increasing market penetration and customer satisfaction,' an Atlas Copco spokesman says. 'It will focus on the growing business potential in the region particularly in the power generation sector,'
The support centre, headed by Mike Mustapha, covers Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE and Yemen, and will provide assistance to the region's distributors for the entire range of Atlas Copco products to ensure high-quality support to meet its customers' needs. It will also incorporate the newly-established rental company, specialising in industrial rental.
'These plans, together with a series of new product developments, all scheduled for imminent introduction into the Middle East, will set Atlas Copco on course to be a leading player throughout the region,' says the spokesman.
According to Jit Pradhan, regional marketing manager, the company will be among the top three genset suppliers in the Gulf within the next three years.
With a range of sets already rated between 13 kVA and 1,000 kVA, new product developments are in process to complement and strengthen the range to suit more of the region's customers' requirements.
Making its international debut, the new 'no frills' budget QUB range of generating sets is targeted at customers requiring high durability from an uncomplicated power supply.
Rated at 25 kVA to 143 kVA at 50 Hz, the QUB range has been designed for operations in remote and harsh environments commonly found in the Middle East and has the capability to operate at up to 55 deg C ambient temperatures.
The sets are powered by Deutz air-cooled diesel engines - the proven preferred option for local conditions - driving a MeccAlte alternator, purpose-designed for Atlas Copco, says the spokesman.
Alternator features include special double-dip impregnation for the windings, providing additional isolation protection for humid conditions and 300 per cent overload capability.
To be available as 'stock' sets offered 'off the shelf' by local distributors, the new range is, says Jit Pradhan, 'ideal for both prime power and standby duties providing a reliable power supply to, for example, construction sites, farming applications, remote villages and fuel stations.'

QAS range
The complete QAS range, with continuous prime ratings from 13 kVA to 396 kVA, is housed in super-silenced canopies for applications in residential areas.
A new Volvo-powered range of sets has recently been introduced to complement the proven QAS range with new ratings of 150 kVA to 300 kVA.
The latest range offers a widely accepted alternative engine as a cost-effective solution. In addition, the Detroit Diesel-powered models, which are widely sold throughout Saudi Arabia, will also continue to be offered for dedicated 60 Hz markets.
Whilst the Volvo-powered sets are available as a 50 Hz dedicated model or with dual-speed control offering a 60 Hz option, the Detroit Diesel models provide a 60 Hz dedicated range with a dual-speed option to provide a 50 Hz operation.

QIX range
'Atlas Copco's QIX range with output ratings of 16 kVA to 549 kVA at 50Hz meet requirements for more sophisticated standby markets and demanding prime power for the construction sector with a comprehensive range of options available to meet all specifications,' says the spokesman.

Control panel
A new state-of-the art control module QC4001 designed by Atlas Copco allows auto-paralleling and synchronising facilities for up to 16 generating sets; including 16 top-of-the-range Atlas Copco QAC1000's (1 MW each) to provide a power station of up to 16 MW.
The QC4001 also offers remote control features via telephone or Internet, a requirement that has seen increasing demand from the telecommunication sector and sophisticated industry applications.
The QC4001 control module offering state-of-the-art microprocessing technology is available with readouts in 12 languages, with Arabic to be shortly available.
'This control module,' says Pradhan, 'is ahead of anything offered by other suppliers in the industry and provides numerous opportunities in power generation covering a wide range of operational facilities and monitoring control.'
Following the success of its rental construction fleet in Saudi Arabia, Atlas Copco has extended the fleet's activities particularly targeting both construction and industrial applications with its fleet of high-capacity 'oil-free compressors' and 1 MW generating sets.
Featuring a compact build in a 20 ft container, the 1 MW sets provide multiple parallel operations. With the new QC4001 control module available as standard on the 1 MW range, it offers improved reliability with full paralleling facilities.
According to Mustapha, the company is the only principal supplier providing a complete range of air and electrical power equipment plus a full aftermarket back-up service.
'But further,' he adds, 'we also provide additional commitment to the customer, offering, for example, rental facilities in the event of a major breakdown and ensuring continued operational reliability. The new customer support centre provides specialised personnel for all product lines including training and specialists in developing local markets. The centre is committed to providing continued endorsement of product reliability and offering every assistance to the customer. Our team is dedicated to ensuring minimum downturn for our customers.'