Inspection services leader, Velosi Saudi Arabia Company, part of the renowned Applus group of companies, has achieved a 13 per cent increase in business growth in year 2012 compared to 2011.

'We expect a relatively similar rate of growth in 2013. Considering the ongoing and upcoming mega- projects in both petrochemical and energy-related industries as well as the infrastructure projects by the government, Velosi has a very good opportunity to continue introducing further services to the local industry and therefore keep the same growth momentum. Being part of Applus group, we expect to add many other services in the years ahead,' says country manager, Mohammed Al Khalifa.

Velosi’s Saudi operations have continuously expanded over the last four years. 'In January 2012 we signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Aramco to start a new business line for tanker trucks inspection services. Velosi now inspects a total of 300-500 trucks per month for the safe operations of transporting liquid fuels across the kingdom to ensure the integrity of the tanker trucks on Saudi Arabia’s roads and on plant facilities,' he says.

The company was approved as one of the inspection agencies on the General Inspection Services (GIS) 5+3 year contract for Saudi Aramco starting 2008. Ever since, Velosi Saudi Arabia has been providing excellent services and was recognised with the best performance award in 2009 by Aramco, he says. Currently, Velosi Saudi is managing quality services on 11 projects under Saudi Aramco including Manifa with a total of 150 project inspectors. In addition, Velosi is providing vendor inspection services under the same GIS contract to Saudi Aramco and the local industry with its current manpower of 46 vendor inspectors in various disciplines.

'The GIS contract is expected to be extended for another three years starting July 2013. We have also successfully executed four risk-based inspection (RBI) projects and have another four projects in hand from various Aramco operating facilities,' he says.

'We have recently signed a GIS contract with Sadara, to support the upcoming mega petrochemical project in Jubail. We have also signed two major contracts with PetroRabigh and Ma’aden Gold Project,' he adds.