ISS Engineering Services (IES), a well established and successful business stream of Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), is expanding its services from Kuwait to the rest of the Gulf, according to manager Engineering Services Lawrence Saldanha.

In mid 1999, amidst the background of the sale of Inchcape Marketing and Inchcape Shipping Services by Inchcape PLC, ISS Kuwait purchased IES, which remains the only Engineering Services business in the Group.

As a consequence IES, which has been able to capitalise on its success in Kuwait in various fields of Engineering, particularly in oil and gas, water, waste water, power and construction industries, has started looking southwards to expand its business activity.

The Saudi market represents an ideal opportunity for expansion and IES has formed a joint venture in the Kingdom, which will commence operations in March. Following this will be Qatar and UAE, then Bahrain and Oman.

The existence of ISS offices in each of these countries is an added advantage for IES to kick-start the business in these new markets.

ISS Kuwait, as a local entity known as Kuwait Maritime & Mercantile Company (KMMC) came into existence in 1965, although Gray Mackenzie's presence in the region dates back more than one hundred years. With Shipping and Engineering as its core business in Kuwait, ISS has been able to establish and maintain market leadership.

For the past decade, IES has been one of the leading companies in Kuwait representing and supplying Engineering products from some of the world's leading manufacturers in the fields of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, architecture and chemicals.

A six-man team of well-qualified and dedicated engineers are supported by an efficient administration support team, ensuring satisfaction to both its customers and principals. Service, teamwork, innovation, respect and results are the key words in its routine, enabling the company to click with the time.

In addition to expanding in the Gulf, IES is also expanding in Kuwait.

IES is planning to set up of an Instrument Calibration Workshop in Kuwait to maximise its service offering as local representative of several instrument manufacturers, particularly in instrument test and calibration fields.

IES is also planning to introduce a new product range in its building products and sanitary Division to add to its already strong market base in the construction industry as a specialty product supplier.

The Shuwaikh Showroom, to display its new range of products, will open shortly.

IES has all the ingredients to establish itself as a the leading Engineering supply and service company in the Middle East.