McKeown ... committing resources and effort

OGN: For how long has Fosam been operating in Saudi Arabia?

McKEOWN: Fosroc brand products have been available in Saudi Arabia since 1981 when Fosroc, in conjunction with local partners, formed the Fosam Company Ltd in Jeddah to manufacture a wide range of construction chemicals.

OGN: Please describe your facilities in the Kingdom.

McKEOWN: The Fosam manufacturing facility in Jeddah supports a number of distribution warehouses, showrooms and offices spread across the Kingdom. The major Fosroc distribution outlets are centered on Riyadh and Dammam, and with additional sites at Makkah, Medinah, Jubail, Khamis Mushet and Yanbu, customer service is assured nationwide.

OGN: To what extent has the company expanded since it first opened its doors in Saudi Arabia?

McKEOWN: Fosam has grown in proportion to the growth in the national construction market. From very small beginnings the company has continually sought to expand the range, and type, of quality manufactured Fosroc products.

The progress in the introduction of new technology products has continued until the present day with Fosam now being acknowledged not only as the biggest construction chemical product manufacturer in Saudi Arabia, but also the most innovative.

OGN: What are the main sectors in which you operate in Saudi Arabia?

McKEOWN: Fosroc products are engineered to meet the specific needs of the diverse construction industry. From the stringent technical standards demanded by the oil and gas industry, through to ready mix concrete and commercial buildings Fosroc has developed products that are suitable, and specific, to the needs of all sectors of the construction market.

OGN: Approximately what percentage of your business comes from the oil and gas industry in Saudi Arabia?

McKEOWN: With a focus on the oil and gas industry it is not surprising to find that some 40 per cent of all Fosroc products sold find a use in primary handling facilities or downstream process construction.

OGN: Please provide a full list of the corrosion control services you offer in the Kingdom.

McKEOWN: With the growing awareness in the construction industry of the cost penalties associated with reinforcing steel corrosion it is little wonder that client groups are now seeking new ways to combat the problem.

In response to the needs of the marketplace Fosroc has developed, and patented, a number of ground breaking electrochemical solutions to prevent and arrest corrosion. A complete range of Fosroc electrochemical products, together with specialised support, is now available in Saudi Arabia:

Electrochemical treatments

Nor cure ECE: An electrochemical process for removing chloride from concrete.

Nor cure RA: An electrochemical process for re-alkalising carbonated concrete

Galvanic corrosion control systems

Galvashield XP: A discrete anode, placed during concrete repair activities to galvanically control corrosion of the reinforcing steel.

Galvashield CC: An anode, placed by drilling into concrete at risk, to galvanically control corrosion in the reinforcing steel.

Galvashield LJ: A combined jacketed anode and structural repair system for the galvanic protection of immersed marine condition concrete and steel structures.

Acid Reduction Cathodic Protection System

Ebonex CP Anodes: A patented, gas vented, acid resistant and acid generation reducing high output ceramic anode for powered cathodic protection.

OGN: What specifically is the nature of your involvement with Saudi Aramco and for how long have you been providing services to that company?

McKEOWN: The Fosam company is proud to be a supplier of product to Aramco since the days when Fosam first began to manufacture products in 1981.

OGN: Do you develop your own technologies in Saudi Arabia for application within the country?

McKEOWN: As a global company Fosroc maintains research and development centres in various parts of the world.

The extreme climate of the Middle East dictated, from an early stage, that successful product could only be developed in the region. To that end, a dedicated product R & D centre was built in Jeddah to serve the needs of the regional market place. Fosroc, at various other world-class centres of excellence and seats of learning, develops new technologies, particularly those in the field of electrochemistry.

OGN: Can you put a figure on the amount allocated annually by Fosam on R&D.

McKEOWN: The importance of new product development is never underestimated and Fosroc typically spends some five per cent of turnover on product development work.

OGN: What are the main challenges (technical, environmental/climatic or otherwise) which you face in operating in Saudi Arabia?

McKEOWN: Saudi Arabia is a challenging place in which to operate, not only from the technical point of view with evermore exacting standards being applied, but from the climatic standpoint where products have to perform in the most aggressive of environments. Another challenge, that of customer service and product delivery, both associated with the sheer physical distance from the customer, have been largely mitigated thanks to the distribution network maintained by Fosam.

OGN: How do you see the nature of corrosion control changing in Saudi Arabia in the medium term?

McKEOWN: In the medium term it is anticipated that a knowledge and understanding of corrosion control techniques will filter down to the general construction market from the oil and gas industry, where the subject is best understood. The driver for the spread of subject knowledge and the implementation of corrosion control techniques will be the increasing cost of concrete repair associated with quality asset management.

Fosam plays a part in the dissemination of information related to the true costs of corrosion by holding seminars and presentations for interested parties.

OGN: What factors do you think will influence this change?

McKEOWN: As previously stated, the main reason for the spread of corrosion control systems into a wider market place will be the cost of having to repair structures only a few years after completion.

As this realisation grows we will see a greater emphasis being placed on quality in construction and the incorporation of corrosion control systems at the construction stage.

Fosroc addressed this need some time ago and can now offer systems that can be installed during the construction phase.

OGN: Is Fosam currently developing any new technologies for application in Saudi Arabia?

McKEOWN: The development of new technology products continues and Saudi Arabia remains a target market for such products. As and when a customer requirement, specific to the Saudi Arabian market, is identified, products to meet that requirement are developed using the latest material technology available. Indeed, this approach to the market has made the Fosroc brand the success that it is around the world.

OGN: Do you think that future improvements in basic construction material specifications, workmanship practices and prevention of salt contamination in Saudi Arabia will have any impact on your future operation in the country?

McKEOWN: It is hoped that construction standards will continue to rise in the Saudi Arabian construction market. Far from being seen as a threat to Fosroc products, higher standards will create a greater understanding of the value of quality and the appropriate solutions, which would ensure that such quality is achieved and maintained.

OGN: What would you say are the key overall strengths of Fosam e g those factors which give it a competitive edge?

McKEOWN: Fosam, and the attendant Fosroc brand, maintain a competitive edge by being present for the customer, wherever and whenever required. Not bound by time or distance, Fosam staff respond to all customer requests to provide on site advice, solutions and global brand strength.

OGN: To what extent is your business in Saudi Arabia impacted by oil prices?

McKEOWN: Obviously where a country is heavily dependent on direct oil revenues any change in pricing does tend to impact the construction industry. However, the continuing moves to diversify the industrial base of the country and the growth of downstream oil-related manufacturing gives hope that a more stable construction market will emerge.

OGN: How have levels of business in the oil and gas sector been this year for Fosam? What is your outlook for business in the corrosion control sector for next year?

McKEOWN: The oil and gas sector has generated excellent revenues this year and it is anticipated that the levels of activity currently being experienced will continue for the foreseeable future.

One area where we are confident that our electrochemical business will grow is in the oil and gas industry. This is particularly so where isolated structures and foundations have in the past been subject to apparently unstoppable reinforcement corrosion. Now, by employing the Fosroc new technology self-powered galvanic anode systems even the most isolated of structures can be cost effectively protected.

OGN: To what extent do you think Fosam will benefit from planned gas and downstream developments in Saudi Arabia?

McKEOWN: The new gas and downstream projects planned for the Kingdom represent an exciting opportunity to provide not only the best in construction chemical products designed to meet specific industry needs but also an opportunity to ''design out'' corrosion at the beginning of the projects.

OGN: As CEO of Fosam, what are your hopes for the company in the years ahead and how do you see the company evolving?

McKEOWN: I wish to meet the challenges of the market place by committing resource and effort where it is most required; that is to say in service of our customers. I am confident that Fosam will remain a highly successful company and that the Fosroc brand will continue to lead in the fields of technology, value and service.

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