Al Shahin Company for Metal Industries (SHMICO), a fabricator of structural steel in Saudi Arabia, has recently completed a major expansion programme aimed at cementing its leading postition in the market.

The programme involved the addition of two new production lines covering an area of 52,000 sq m with capacities of 32,000 and 27,000 tonnes.

A coating line was also installed to provide primer and cover coats to clients.

This significant investment of several million dollars includes the construction of a new administration area, and the installation of an array of the latest precision CNC technologies from Europe.

"The new facility will double the size of the existing one and streamline all our operations with the addition of the new lines, workshops, overhead cranes, and the coating and sandblasting areas," says deputy general manager Adeeb B Shahin.

"Our strategy is proactive with the company poised for expansion through our re-selling network across the Middle East.

"As we are pre-qualified to supply a range of project work across the construction, petroleum, petrochemical and power transmission sectors, our intention is to grow incrementally, always providing our customers with proven quality assured fabrications and precision engineering across the Middle East."

SHMICO, which has secured for itself a reputation for quality, competitive pricing and delivery in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East, has recently completed fabrication of one of the complex canopies for the entrance to the Kingdom Centre tower.

The firm has supplied substantial quantities of structural steel to the landmark project.

Other projects handled by SHMICO include the Al Faisaliah Center in Riyadh, an 185,000 sq m workshop on the Riyadh Ring Road, various commercial centres, the Ministry of Defence, a new multi-use business and commercial complex in Riyadh's second industrial city, the structural steel for 53,000 tented structures at Mina near Makkah, and fabrications for slaughter houses.

A major player now in the regional market for steel frameworks, transmission towers, lighting poles and a range of industrial applications, the company was set up in the early 1970s by Badani Naif Al Shahin to support the industrial development of the Kingdom.

From its prime location on Riyadh's second industrial city, SHMICO has expanded and continues to supply precision engineering to major market sectors from single fabrications to complete turnkey engineering solutions.

Having started up its business in steel fabrication, the firm gradually became specialised in pre-engineered steel buildings for industrial and commercial purpose.

The company currently has production facilities spread over an area exceeding 100,000 sq sm, located in the second industrial city in Riyadh.

The factory is equipped with computerised heavy-duty machinery and equipment capable of mass production of steel building components conforming to international standards.

With a view to catering to ever-increasing market needs, the management pursues a policy of continuous expansion of the production facilities by enlarging the factory floor area and acquiring the latest available machinery for steel fabrication.

The company is managed by a team of professionals under whom qualified and experienced engineers and technicians work on projects on a "concept-to-completion" basis, encompassing design, engineering, fabrication and erection.

The latest CAD, CAE and CAM programmes are applied in the process for achieving the best results in quality and speed.