THE MIDDLE East division of UK-based Bridon Ropes is witnessing promising market conditions, with last year being the best year ever, according to a company official.
''It's very busy in the Middle East, there's a large amount of oilfield-related construction going on in the region with further major capital expenditure planned at government level,'' said Bob Britton, general manager Bridon Middle East.
Indeed, the company achieved its best financial half year so far in the first half of last year.
Nine people are employed by Bridon in the Gulf. The company is a wholly-owned division of Bridon Ropes, UK. The Middle East unit sells exclusively Bridon ropes, along with a large sling production, supply of Supa 75 wirelines, and lifting products. The company was formed some 10 years ago to meet the demand in the Gulf region for a high quality local supply backed up by technical expertise and global buying power.
''Bridon Middle East has flourished over the last 10 years from its base in Jebel Ali Free Zone by sticking to what it does best, and offering an exceptional service in line with what customers have come to expect from the Bridon group of companies,'' said Britton.
One of Bridon Middle East's key customers is J Ray McDermott, which recently intensified its wire rope and lifting quality programme in its drive for continuous improvements in safety and quality. A key result was that J Ray McDermott selected Bridon Dyform 6 rope for its crawler cranes. Bridon supplied cut lengths on demand, from local stock and is said to be looking to develop its partnership with McDermott further in the future.
Dyform has also proved its worth in other applications.
''Dyform 6 is performing very well on Container cranes at the Dubai Ports Authority, and also at Dubai Petroleum Company on offshore boom hoist applications. The installation of our Dyform 8 rope has also led to dramatic improvements in rope life at another customer, Dubai Aluminium,'' said Britton.
Bridon Middle East operates at the quality end of the Gulf market, supplying clients related mainly to offshore industries, who are seriously concerned about rope quality and performance. Around 30 per cent of the company's product is exported via Jebel Ali - one of the world's top 10 container ports - to the Gulf states of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Iran, and as far away as Azerbaijan, India, Pakistan and Egypt. The remaining 70 per cent of Bridon Middle East's business is directed at the markets of the UAE.
Bridon is a regular exhibitor at the bi-annual Arab Gas trade show in Dubai. At last year's event, the number of visitors to the company's stand increased significantly, it said.
