AlRashid-Abetong - A Saudi-Swedish success story with a Finnish twist

As in many other parts of the world, the use of precast has grown tremendously in Saudi Arabia during the past few years. This means that an increasing number of companies make their way into the precast sector, and ARA intends to stay one step ahead. “Our goal is to be the most successful precast company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” says Mathias Andersson, Production Manager at ARA. “We produce a full range of precast concrete elements, including hollow-core slabs, double-T slabs, solid slabs, columns, beams, external and internal panels, and in fact all types of precast structures in addition to the unique Swede Beam System. We are well-known in the market for our good quality and our capability to manage large, complicated projects. Our production capacity is around 250 000 cubic meters of precast concrete elements per year.”

Old blue alongside yellow new

The cooperation between ARA and Elematic has been ongoing for more than thirty years. Elematic-delivered battery molds that date back to those first years are still in use at one of ARA’s four factories. And some of the old but still fully functioning “Elematic-blue machines” have been sold to make way for newer technology. Says Markku Marikko, Service Engineer at Elematic: “ARA, as well as the previous Mabco, has relied on Elematic as their one-stop-supplier. I feel a sense of pride seeing those old machines still going strong alongside the modern production equipment we have delivered. In its time, Mabco was the first precast company in Saudi Arabia to manufacture sandwich wall elements, and today the manufacturing of wall elements is an important part of ARA’s production.”

One million square meters of hollow-core

A few years ago, ARA was producing at full capacity at all of their four factories in Riyadh, but that still was not enough to satisfy the rapidly growing demand for precast products. The company turned to Elematic for a new factory. The goal was to equip a factory to produce a massive amount of hollow-core slabs on 16 beds. Among the equipment delivered were Elematic Extruders, shuttles, and overhead bucket gantries. In June 2007, ARA opened its new hollow-core factory, now the largest in the region, with the impressive capacity to produce more than one million square meters of hollow-core slabs of various thicknesses yearly. “Elematic has always been a good partner and supplier, and we have been very happy with the cooperation between our companies. I’ve even been to Finland once to visit the Elematic headquarters,” says Mr. Andersson.

TOP-service agreement ensures profitability

The need to invest in more technology was obvious, but the always pioneer-minded company also knew that every circumstance has to be considered to avoid stoppages in production and to improve profitability. Therefore ARA, though a long-term, experienced operator, signed a TOP-Service agreement with Elematic for flexibility and added value. The service agreement ensures that all machines are constantly kept in shape and up-and-running. It guarantees the immediate delivery of spare and wear parts, regular inspections of machines, and annual maintenance engineer visits, as well as modern troubleshooting.

“The new factory, ARA 5, is working smoothly, and three hollow-core beds can be cast simultaneously. The intention is to cast 16 beds of 150 meters per day, seven days a week. ARA has realized that the TOP-service agreement improves their operations. Together we have inspected and tuned up their production and looked for those possible bottlenecks that could cause trouble in the future,” describes Mr. Marikko. ”We discussed in detail how to improve the cooperation between maintenance and production to avoid unscheduled maintenance stops during production. Stoppages can become very expensive, and so wear and spare parts must be exchanged in due time before anything breaks down. An important task of the service package is to improve preventive maintenance and yearly maintenance measures. Alongside the investments in new machinery and preventive maintenance, work safety and the cleanliness of the factory environment have improved considerably.” Says Mr. Andersson: “Without the Elematic service agreement, it would certainly be a daring venture for us to aim for one million square meters of hollow-core yearly, as this means running the machinery every day of the year. Any stoppages in the manufacturing process due to failure of the machinery would threaten these production goals.”

Customers pay for the right products at the right time

In addition to offering a full range of precast concrete products, ARA cooperates with its customers in the development of buildings, from the first contact until the project is completed. “Currently, we have approximately sixty projects ongoing, of which the largest is for 400 villas and 12 apartment towers, staff residences for King Saud University. We plan to cast 150 000 cubic meters of precast concrete elements for this project alone,” says Mr. Andersson. “The biggest difference here in Saudi Arabia and this region compared to Europe is the size and design of the projects. We have clients here that are willing to pay whatever the cost, if they just get the right products at the right time. In addition, when projects are as big as this one, it provides the possibility to utilize all the advantages of precasting. We never leave a project before we are fully satisfied with the work. In many cases, the quality level we ourselves demand surpasses our customers’ expectations. Today in Saudi Arabia, the private sector is slowing down construction investments somewhat, but at the same time, the government is increasing the building of schools and universities,” continues Mr. Andersson.

“The near future looks very good for ARA. We have a lot of projects signed, and it will just be a matter of starting them up and executing them in the correct sequence. We already see now that we have to increase our capacity for wall panels,” concludes Mr. Andersson.

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11 Comments

• Abdullah Al- awwad wrote on 2009-12-12

  Dear Sir,
  We are the main Cntractor in Saudi Aramco. we have now projects related with pre-cast concrete buildings.we have design and packages .. please contact with e-mail or Telephone...
  M.A.Al-Awwad Est.
  Al-Ahsa.
  Office: 00966-5330885
  mobile: 00966-506362575

• VICTOR wrote on 2009-15-12

  NO WASTED RIYALS

• ashraf frieg wrote on 2010-08-02

  Dear Sir, can i have contact number for the sales dep.
  regards

• Päivi Talonen wrote on 2010-10-02

  Elematic Sales contacts are found at
  http://www.elematic.com/elematic_sales

• aamir ali wrote on 2010-31-05

  i am working in GPC riyadh i need to apply alrashid abetong company i need to procudre to apply your company , i am working in last three year as a batching plant incharge ,

• Joel wrote on 2010-15-07

  Good afternoon sir: I am working here in Philippines as sales representative but i have a background working under logistics as staff with 3 years. I am wishing about to expand my career in your company " ALRASHID-ABETONG". Could you help me find the ways to fulfill my distinyor can you give me remarks on the procedures and steps on how to apply on it as "Transport Coordinator". thus, my brother currently working in riyadh as techmician. thanks and more power to you and your company...

• Joel wrote on 2010-15-07

  P.s. this is my number eventually: 0908-7575-017. i have complete papers already. thanks

• Mohammed Ibrahim Khan wrote on 2010-16-07

  Dear Sir,

  I am Ibrahim Khan, Indian Nationality. At present I am working as a CAD
  Operator for one of the Precast Contracting Company in Saudi Arabia.
  I am looking for a good new offer for my best prosperous & success for my
  Best.
  And also I am interesting in joining your team to share my knowledge &
  Experience in the field of AutoCAD.

  
  Best regards & thanking you

  
  Applicant,
  Mohd Ibrahim Khan
  +966502048920 (Ksa)
  +919966075412 (India)

• Michaael S. Villasis wrote on 2010-20-07

  dear sir,
  i'm working in premco (binladin) k.s.a for 1yr and 5 months i was in planning department working as planner, responsibilities are scheduler for casting working on company data base for precast knowledge also on autocad, my salary here is low how ever i try to apply in your company hoping for good and negotiable salary pls send me some feedback to my email i'm willing to have interview from your company
  thank you very much

• Michael S. Villasis wrote on 2010-20-07

  my cel # is 0534047220

• very nice wrote on 2010-21-08

  I am a civil engineer. I have 5 years experience in precast. my cv--

  
  MOHAMMED KAMRUZZAMAN Profession: QA/QC CIVIL ENGINEER
  Contact No.: +966-563829470
  kzaman.ce@gmail.com kzaman02@yahoo.com

  
  Career Objective
  Looking for a qualitative Civil Engineering post at any national or multinational well established company where could be applied my technical skills, experience & merits. Also to work in both most common and hardly undefined fields and thus recruiting gathered engineering knowledge to launch efficient solutions and proper management to concern problems and projects respectively, with highest quality.
  Educational Qualification
  
  Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
  Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology, (CUET) Bangladesh.
  Duration: 2003,January – 2007,January.
  Result : 2.70 of 4.00

  Higher Secondary School Certificate
  New Government Degree College, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
  Duration: 2000- 2002
  Result : First Division* (794 marks out of 1000)

  Secondary School Certificate
  Miapur Hazi Jashim Uddin High School and College, Pabna, Bangladesh.
  Duration: 1995- 2000
  Result : First Division* (816 marks out of 1000)

  Computer Proficiency

  Design Software : ANSYS, GRASP, Auto CAD (Learning), STAAD - PRO, GEAR
  Operating System : Windows 98, 2000, XP & MS Office Application.
  Language Software : FORTRAN

  
  Working Experience(Total-5 years)

  Organization : Al-Abniah Precast Building Factory.
  Position : QC/QC Civil Engineer
  Duration : February, 2010 – Until working.

  
  Duties & Responsibilities:

   Make daily reports & checklist which submit to the QA/QC Manager.
   Study and Implementation of Architectural & Structural drawings.
   Preparing the daily material consumption statement.
   Co-ordinate with client, Architect and consultant.
   Worked on estimation on materials required on the revised drawing co-ordination of the consumption with project management.
   Inspection of Formwork and Reinforcement work for Footings and Foundation prior to concrete and giving clearance for concrete works.
   Daily checking the quality of aggregate, bricks, steels, concrete and relative materials.
   Review all construction drawings to ensure that they contain the necessary quality related requirements prior to release for construction.
   Verify all samples, certificates of laboratories and field test for all quality control procedures, records & reports.
   Make the RFI(Request For Inspection) report for the client.
   Check & arrange the Cylinder test for concrete quality.
   Check & inspect the moulds delivered by the company.
   Ensure & control the parameters as per ASTM, ACI as well as the client requirements like Royal Commission for jubail & yanbu.

  Organization : Abdul Khaliq Aoda Al-Shamrani.
  Sub-contractor of Royel Comission, Jubail.
  Position : Field Engineer(Approved by RC)
  Duration : June, 2009 – January, 2010. (8 months)
  Project : C 37-510 , Mutrafiah site Preparation.

  Duties and Responsibilities:

   Study all the drawings of survey results.
   Calculation the amount of soil cutting and filling.
   Controlling & Supervision of layer by layer backfilling and compaction.
   Make co-ordinate & make reports of FDT(Field Density Test) as for Testing organization like Al-Hotti, Gulf Consult.
   Daily progress report submission to the QC Manager, Project Manager and make co-ordinate with the contractor company.
   Controls and investigation of all the equipments like Backhoes, Bulldozer, and Drum track, Roller, Graders.
   Supervise the actual construction of the project and quality of works of manpower at the site.
   Ensure works are carried out in a safe manner and working condition, as well as meet in the project requirements.
   Implements the required drawing specifications and perform surveying works.
   Solve the problem of utility like water pipeline, electric cable line inside the project.

  
  Organization : STFA Marine Construction Company.
  Sub-contractor of Saudi Aramco.
  Position : Civil Engineer
  Duration : June, 2008 – May, 2009 (I year)
  Project : Dredging & Land Reclamation Manifa Field Causeway Construction.

  Duties & Responsibilities:
   Work both offshore and onshore position.
   Controlling & Recording all the documents and data of Pile preparation yard.
   Co-ordinate with main Contractor, Piling Manager & QA/QC department.
   Monitoring the equipments Crane (Terex & gantry), Trailers and Trucks.
   Daily checking the Pipe joining section with welding and submit welding test result to piling section.
   Supervise Pipe fitting on roller & survey checking and welding ongoing process
   Make co-ordinate with the testing personnel of X-Ray test (UT ,RT & MT) after joining 3 of 12 m pipes.
   Daily controlling the lifting process of steel pipe about 36m length & 25 Ton weight.
   Inspection of Sand Blasting & Coating area with GMA Garnet Sand and Sigma Paint.
   Ensure the quality of works of pipe coating thickness & Holyday test result.
   Recording the data of 48" dia pile driving for Long Bridge, Culvert Bridge & Sheet pile for Bank protection.

  
  Organization : HATTAN Land Transport Company.
  Sub-contractor of Saudi Aramco.
  Position : QC Engineer
  Duration : March, 2007 – May, 2008 (1 year 3 months)
  Project : Road Construction in Sayaba.

  Duties and Responsibilities:

   Study all the drawings of survey results.
   Calculation the amount of soil cutting and filling.
   Daily progress report submission to the Project Manager and make co-ordinate with the contractor company.
   Controls and investigation of all the equipments like Backhoes, Bulldozer, and Drum track, Roller, Graders.
   Supervise the actual construction of the project and quality of works of manpower at the site.
   Ensure works are carried out in a safe manner and working condition, as well as meet in the project requirements.
   Implements the required drawing specifications and perform surveying works.
   Preparing the road surface and side slope, shoulder, camber and drainage system of newly formatted road.
   Prepare the report of Request For Inspection (RFI).
   Procesing of all the testing works of Field Density Test (FDT), Compaction Test, Moisture Content Test.

  
  Organization : Epic Construction Company Ltd., Bangladesh
  Position : QC Civil Engineer
  Duration : June, 2006 – April, 2007(11 months, part-time)
  Project : Six Stored Building Construction.
  Duties & Responsibilities:

   Study and Implementation of Architectural & Structural drawings.
   Preparing the daily material consumption statement.
   Checking the quality of works done by subcontractor.
   Co-ordinate with client, Architect and consultant.
   Prepare the daily work schedule of manpower and equipment.
   Worked on estimation on materials required on the revised drawing co-ordination of the consumption with project management.
   Inspection of Formwork and Reinforcement work for Footings and Foundation prior to concrete and giving clearance for concrete works.
   Monitoring and inspection of substructure (greed beam, pile, pile cap) construction of the building.
   Daily checking the quality of aggregate, bricks, steels, concrete and relative materials.
   Review all construction drawings to ensure that they contain the necessary quality related requirements prior to release for construction.
   Verify all samples, certificates of laboratories and field test for all quality control procedures, records & reports.
   Make the RFI(Request For Inspection) report for the client.
   Cheack & arrange the Cylinder test for concrete quality.

  
  Major Subjects which I was studied during four years B. Sc. Course:
  Surveying, Engineering Mechanics, Engineering Materials, Mechanics of Materials (I-II), Structural Analysis & Design (I-III), Reinforced Concrete (I-III), Geotechnical Engineering (I-IV), Transportation Engineering (I-II), Fluid Mechanics, Engineering Hydraulic, Hydrology, Environmental Engineering (I-II), Irrigation & Flood Engineering, Project Planning & Construction Management, Hydraulic Structure, Prestressed Concrete etc.
  Major Sessional Works:
  Details of Estimating, Geotechnical Engineering Sessional, Environmental Engineering Sessional, Transportation Engineering Sessional, Reinforced Concrete Sessional & Structural Analysis & Design Sessional.
  The most important sessional which I was completed as a Civil Engineer I think design of Balanced Cantilever Bridge by manual in six semester & Analysis & Design of five storied Commercial Building using STAAD pro & ACECOMS GEAR in Eight Semester.
  Trainings & Achievements

   Fire Fighting training of the basis of Marine projects.
  STFA Marine Construction Company.
  October, 2008
   Fundamentals of Earthquake Engineering Seminar & Workshop.
  Earthquake Engineering Research Center (EERC), CUET.
  February 19, 2007.
   Community Participation & Management of Water supply and sanitation.
  ITN (Sub centre), CUET, Chittagong.
  May 17-20, 2007.

   Practical Orientation Course on Civil Engineering for fresh Graduate Engineers.
  Job Procurement & Entrepreneur Development Committee of IEB, Chittagong Centre
  September, 2006

   Getting Scholarship of Secondary school, District, University Board & World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY).
  Champions of CUET mini marathon competition two times.
  Tours all over Bangladesh & India, Nepal, Bhutan and visit various civil projects as like as hill track project.

  Personal Details
  Nationality : Bangladeshi
  Marital status : Married
  Religion : Islam
  Date of Birth : 10th January, 1982
  Iqama No : 2250656697
  Language : English, Bangla, Hindi & Arabic

  
  I hereby certify that the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
  
  ……………………………………
  Mohammed Kamruzzaman