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RELATED ARTICLES: Laticrete RAK plans Saudi production facility | Diverse products helps Mapei double sales in 2011 | Construction chemicals a necessity, says BASF
Laticrete RAK, the JV between the US construction material firm and RAK Ceramics, is planning a major production facility in at least one Saudi city “as soon as possible”, according to a company executive.
Sujit Singh, GM of the Ras Al Khaimah firm, said the company is looking to capitalise on the high levels of construction activity in the Kingdom by producing its range of construction material and waterproofing products locally, and capitalise on the longstanding success it has had in the country from afar.
“We will have a factory in Saudi, though we have not decided whether it will be Jeddah or Riyadh, or both,” said Singh. “We are looking to do it as soon as possible, and have been looking at the land available. From this plant we will be able to produce locally all the latex and powder products we have for tiles, the self-levelling concrete products.”
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The company currently produces its wide range of additives, waterproofing, tile products, grouts and sealants from its facility situated in RAK Ceramics’ 200ha industrial complex on the outskirts of Ras Al Khaimah’s main city.
Singh said that the company has always found Saudi Arabia to be a receptive market for Laticrete RAK’s products, to add to its general overall acceptance in the UAE market, where the company saw strong sales during the boom in Dubai.
He added that the company had enjoyed good sales so far this year, and has largely managed to weather the slump in the construction industry due to its specialism and its proximity to architects and other groups pushing building innovation.
“The company, if you look at it, is one of the most specialised in the world,” said Singh. “In the US, we are an education provider, such as where architects will come to us about gaining credits.” This year the company formed a JV with Supercap, a US company that sells concrete pumping machines, including an integrated mixing system, to create Laticrete Supercap.
The concrete is mixed from sand and cement and Laticrete RAK’s additives onsite, rather than mixing it in Laticrete RAK’s factory, thereby saving time and logistical complexity for the contractor. Singh said he expects a good reception from the market for this particular machine.
Also continuing with the general trend of innovation and product development in the chemical sector, Mapei has introduced new-generation waterproofing solutions to address the particular requirements of the region’s construction sector, where green building, sustainability and value engineering are increasingly predominant trends.
A leading global manufacturer of adhesives, sealants and chemical products for buildings, Mapei’s next-generation waterproofing solutions can be used both above and below ground. The new-generation synthetic membranes, known as Mapeplan T Mf, Mapeplan T B, and Mapeplan T TU, have been developed especially to address the unique waterproofing requirements of construction projects in the UAE and across the Middle East.
“Waterproofing is a fundamental element in building construction, and is a key factor in guaranteeing building integrity. Mapei has therefore developed a new range of waterproofing solutions that takes into account the distinct requirements of our clients in the Middle East region.
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