Having operated in Saudi Arabia for more than three decades, Kettaneh Brothers Saudi Arabia Ltd is upbeat about both its capabilities in the construction sector and the outlook for business in the Kingdom in the near future.

The company, part of an international group, is involved in a wide range of construction activities covering civil engineering and building works, infrastructures, electrical, air conditioning and mechanical systems related to industrial, petrochemical projects and specialised building construction, slipform concreting of chimneys, silos and tanks, airports and heavy concrete paving works.

The current period of higher oil prices and international market conditions have reflected positively on the construction market, with the sector offering great promise, said the company.

In Saudi Arabia, Kettaneh Brothers has performed a number of major and prestigious projects for Saudi Aramco and Sabic affiliates in the industrial cities of Jubail and Yanbu, in addition to several projects, more particularly the cement industry grain milling and storing.

Saudi Aramco: The company has worked continuously for Saudi Aramco from 1970, and has been involved in building construction and infrastructure works of oilfields in Duba, completed in 1998, Hawtah completed in 1994 and King Fahd International Airport Saudi Aramco Aviation Facilities, also completed in 1994. The company also worked on the Headquarters Building, Dhahran, which was completed last year.

Saudi Methanol Company (Ar Razi 3) expansion: The project remit was to procure and construct the civil engineering works, mainly equipment foundations, to pipe racks and equipment as well as the external site works. Also, to design, procure and construct 10 buildings (substations, central control room, office buildings, compressor house and warehouse for a total area of 9,600 sq m) in addition to a water intake building with 1km 1600 mm diameter, fibreglass water supply pipeline with total quantity of 25,000 cu m concrete and 3,000 tonnes of rebars. Underground utilities, plumbing, electrical and air conditioning works were also included in the project, which was completed in 1997.

Saudi Fertilizer Company (Safco): For Safco's second Ammonia/Urea plant in Jubail, Kettaneh Brothers procured and constructed buildings.

The contract scope included, in addition to the HVAC works, cable trenching, drainage system, pavement works, civil engineering works, underground piping, steam piping network, water supply piping system and fire fighting system. The project was completed in 1999.

Al Jubail Petrochemical Company (Kemya) LDPE project: The company procured and constructed civil engineering and building works for the process facilities, including foundation for equipment, structures and buildings, cable trenching, drainage system, road and pavement works, civil works related to underground piping etc. This project was completed last year.

Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Company (Yanpet) expansion: Kettaneh Brothers, together with another local joint venture, procured and constructed civil engineering and building works for the polymer facilities, including foundations for equipment, structures and buildings, cable trenching, drainage system, fire fighting system and controls, road and pavement works, civil works related to underground piping.

Scope also included HVAC works and sanitary water supply facilities for buildings. The project was completed in 1999.

Kettaneh Brothers currently has approximately 370 permanent staff operating from its headquarters in Al Khobar in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, though the company says that, should it require additional categories, it will recruit new expatriates or nationals to satisfy particular project needs.

The headquarters consist of large office space, maintenance workshops (including mechanical workshop, duct fabrication shop, carpentry shop, painting shop, closed stores, shelters, storage containers and an open air storage yard).

The company says that it takes great pride in the quality of its work and in its extensive construction experience. It also cites its experienced, highly skilled permanent staff and solid financial records as reasons why the company is able to handle projects, from conception to completion, confidently and on an international basis.

The Kettaneh Group was established in Lebanon in the early 1920s. Its experience of testing conditions has enabled the company to create and maintain standards of technical and professional expertise which have become a benchmark for the Middle East.

Today, the Group is a multi-faceted organisation with subsidiary or affiliated companies in Egypt, France, Iran, Jordan, the UK, the US, and Qatar.