NCMS aligns with main contractors Quality, Health Safety and Environmental (QHSE) policies have long been the foundations of Standard Operational Procedures for the oil and gas industry in Saudi Arabia.

But how many service providers comply with these same stringent standards, and how many camps are left with a legacy of poor quality food and services long after the Contract Manager has initialled the pages of the catering services contract?

Part of the Abbar & Zainy Group, and receiving technical assistance from Universal Sodexho, National Company for Management and Services (NCMS) is a service provider which is, perhaps, the first to become cognisant with the importance of such policies, and, more importantly, to align itself with international contractors comprising Saudi Aramco's main contractors.

NCMS' QHSE Management System provides a credible basis for qualifying catering and services providers in the oil and gas industry of Saudi Arabia.

The company has an established selection and recruitment system, an training is structured according to the requirements of the position.

NCMS also looks closely at the management of its suppliers, recognising that suppliers of foodstuffs have a direct effect on the quality of services which NCMS is able to provide. Thus, all suppliers are evaluated, qualified and selected based on their ability to deliver a quality product or service in a safe, healthy and environmentally-acceptable manner.

NCMS is justifiably proud of its market-leading QHSE programme, and is able to point to tangible benefits to its clients in its support.

The following commendation was received from a prominent drilling contractor in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province:

''It is always a special pleasure to congratulate the crew of the rig for successfully completing one year without a lost time injury to any personnel or its subcontractors.

''This achievement is the result of excellent teamwork, communication and effort by each and every one of the NCMS management. This could not have been achieved without everyone's dedication and commitment towards safety and efficiency.''