GPIC works to achieve 100% localisation

Manama : The Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) is working to replace all equipment needed and used in the past with locally made products. 

Company President Dr. Abdulrahman Jawahery said this while receiving the first and the largest equipment for use during the periodic maintenance of its plants from April 1 to 23.

“The Company has been keen to use a national Company to manufacture this equipment to encourage the use of locally-made products,” said Dr Jawahery expressing pride at the ability of Bahrain’s manufacturers, who have a good reputation in craftsmanship and reliability.

The equipment, for the Urea Formaldehyde Project Absorber Column, has been designed and manufactured in Bahrain at Ramses Engineering Company.

Dr Jawahery said that the Absorber Column, made of stainless steel, is 31 meters long and weighs more than 58 tonnes. He said it took about eight months to manufacture. It was transferred as one piece on April 2. 

The Urea Formaldehyde Project, Dr Jawahery said, is on schedule and is expected to be completed soon. The unit will be ready for production and by the third quarter of the year. He said the Absorber Column is a very important part of the Urea Formaldehyde Project.

Dr Jawahery said the Company annually invests about US $10 million in routine maintenance and about $22 million in the comprehensive maintenance of plants every three years. 

During the maintenance operations, the Company imports trained manpower, who are experts and skilled workers, and who come from the Gulf countries and beyond.