Qatalum – the Qatari aluminium smelter – has announced the signing, on 29th January, of supply contracts with ALUNOOR and Qatar Aluminium Extrusion, for the sale of premium aluminium, The signing of the contracts took place at the Qatalum office at Mesaieed.
Qatalum was represented by CEO Tom Petter Johansen and Deputy CEO Khalid Mohammed Laram; ALUNOOR was represented by Mr. Jassim Abdul Noor, Owner and General Manager; and Qatar Aluminium Extrusion was represented by Chairman Mr. Abdul Rahman Al Ansari.
Abdul Rahman Al Ansari, Chairman of Qatar Aluminium Extrusion Co signing contracts with Qatalum CEO
The total volume of both contracts is approximately ten thousand tonnes for 2013 - of which close to 800 metric tonnes will be delivered monthly. Although a small amount by global downstream standards, the significance of the contracts is in the pioneering of a downstream aluminium industry in Qatar, exemplifying the support and cooperation between Qatalum and such downstream industries.
Deliveries to local customers started in mid-2012 on a trial basis during both the customers’ ramp-up operations and to test the product at their facilities. The excellent quality of Qatalum products was appreciated by both customers, thus current contracts represent a long-term commitment for supply from Qatalum.
The two companies who have signed these supply contracts have varied expertise and market focus. ALUNOOR has two broad profiles, in industry and construction, making up 20 and 80 per cent of its work, respectively. In construction, it produces windows, doors, curtains and building exteriors. In industrial production, ALUNOOR makes products for other factories to use in the manufacturing process, such as mechanical devices and various high-end precision equipment.
Qatar Aluminium Extrusion Company is an expert in aluminium extrusion and is involved in production of various products for domestic and business use.
Qatalum CEO Tom Petter said: “Encouraging the local aluminium downstream industry is a key priority and commitment at Qatalum. The contracts signed today represent the beginning of implementing such commitment towards Qatalum’s participation in developing local industry in Qatar.” “Qatalum premium quality products and location represent huge opportunities for developing aluminium downstream industries in Qatar. The demand for aluminium is obviously there.
Khalid Laram, Qatalum’s DCEO added, “Qatalum is ideally located to meet the growing demand for aluminium products based on strong strategic fundamentals. With these supply contracts, we are seeing an exciting future in downstream Qatari industry. We at Qatalum are proud to be instrumental in developing this in Qatar”.
Khalid Laram added: “We expect that Qatalum should be able to supply the local Qatari market with their needs for the coming years. This is an exciting time for us, and these contracts are part of Qatalum's policy in encouraging other companies to become involved in the downstream industry related to aluminium in Qatar specially after Qatalum received ISO 9001/2008 certificate and ISO/TS 16949:2009 certificate for high quality products which allow us to enter into the automotive industries”.
