By adapting green building strategies, the different sectors in the Kingdom can maximize economic, social and environmental performance, an official of Everest Industries Ltd. said recently, adding "It's the future."
Anuj Sethia, Everest's senior officer (export), one of India's fastest growing building solutions companies, was in the Kingdom to formalize the tie-up with Fatima A. I. Al-Aqqad Est. in order to market their products in the Kingdom.
"Our turnover last year was $400 million and we are leaders in the Middle East with a 55 percent market share, with an eight-year presence in Saudi Arabia," said Sethia, who was in the Kingdom to develop the marketing arm of the firm while also scouting prospective clients seeking green solutions.
"All our products are tested on the global level," said Sethia, elaborating that Everest was targeting mass housing and infrastructure projects in the Kingdom and the Middle East.
"We have made presentations to representatives of Binladin, Saudi Oger, GACA and the ministries of education and health, and found them receptive," Sethia said.
"It makes sense for the ministries (education and health) to build with green solutions as they are also energy-saving solutions," Sethia added.
"We are already dealing with Saudi Aramco, providing our materials to Aramco-approved projects. This bears testimony to our quality, as our products have to be approved by Aramco test and quality control. That's why we're confident our products will be desired by others in the Kingdom," Sethia said.
Everest manufactures Fiber Cement Boards (FBC) that are ideal for residential, commercial and industrial usage. The company claims that the FCBs are the best substitute to natural and wood-based boards as these boards are re-locatable and made from 40 percent recycled content.
Multipurpose cement boards, heavy duty cement boards, sidings and designer boards are some of the variants offered by the company, which says that as the FCBs are made using revolutionary high pressure steam curing (HPSC), the boards are totally moist resistant, termite and fire resistant.
The FCBs can be used as false ceilings, internal walls (half/full height), internal wall lining, eaves and soffit lining and in prefabricated shelters (internal and external walls).
"With a 75-year legacy of delivering strength, speed and safety, we hope to be part of Saudi Arabia's growth - especially in the mass housing areas of the emerging economic cities in the Kingdom," Sethia said.
"That's why we have taken on Fatima A. I. Al-Aqqad Est. as our partner in this growth drive. Apart from marketing our materials, our local partner will be helping us in branding as well as providing us with technological support," he added.
