Eng. Aqeel F. Kadasah, Chief Executive Officer
Location: Abha, Saudi Arabia
Southern Province Cement Co.
An Alliance for Future Prosperity
Southern Province Cement Co. (SPCC) is one of the biggest companies in Saudi Arabia’s construction materials sector and the broader Middle East region. Since its establishment in 1978, SPCC has grown significantly in scope and scale over the past four decades.
Starting with a single factory in Jazan, the company currently operates two more factories located in the strategic regions of Aseer and Makkah Al Mukarramah Province. With seven production lines spread across the three factories, SPCC not only serves the construction needs of the southern territories but also extends its reach to the western parts of the Kingdom, providing a comprehensive coverage of the regional cement demands.
We recently had a thoughtful discussion with Eng. Aqeel F. Kadasah, CEO of Southern Province Cement Co. (SPCC), where he provided valuable insights into the company's future aspirations and reflections on their recent collaboration with Komatsu.
SPCC, Fully Equipped to Capitalize on the Potential Ahead
The rapidly expanding construction sector in Saudi Arabia continues to be a significant driver of demand for locally produced cement. While individual building projects are typically the primary contributors to cement sales in the nation, Eng. Aqeel explains that the demand for construction materials has been affected by the rise in interest rates and the slowing down of construction activities from late 2022.
He sees promise, however, in the major infrastructure initiatives planned across Asir, Makkah, and Riyadh, which he expects will increase cement demand by the middle of 2024. According to him, “If these projects start as scheduled, regional demand could modestly grow by 5% annually over the coming years.”
Komatsu's Robust Machinery, Engineered for the Toughest Conditions
The challenges associated with cement production, from extracting raw materials to developing quarries, place huge demands on the machines and put them under extreme stress, since the operating conditions within the cement facilities differ markedly from other conditions where the equipment could be used.
“We are always looking for equipment that is of high quality and can withstand tough working conditions,” stresses Eng. Aqeel. Durability, strength, and high-efficiency capabilities are the top qualities they seek in new purchases, but they also recognize that the perfect fit requires more than that.
The most productive equipment is ineffective without access to consistent, reliable maintenance and repair services, and a steady supply of spare parts. This is why diversifying their machinery emerged as a strategic move. “Diversification will serve us better in terms of securing equipment and spare parts in the future instead of being dependent on one equipment provider,” he explains.
In pursuit of this, “the company decided to work with one of the most powerful heavy-machinery manufacturing companies in the market that has a strong reputation for quality, both locally and internationally, which is Komatsu,” he elaborates. With Komatsu, not only did SPCC receive equipment built with the highest quality materials that ensure maximum resilience against even the harshest job site conditions, but also the much-needed after-sale support.
“We started with several pieces of equipment in one of the company's factories and were impressed by both the equipment performance as well as the reliable technical support we received from Komatsu and Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery. We found that Komatsu is a strategic partner perfectly matched to our demanding operational environment.”
A Shared Philosophy of Valued Partnerships
Eng. Aqeel strongly emphasizes SPCC’s focus on collaborative partnerships, not simply business relationships. To him, a reliable supply chain means far more than product delivery – it indicates a supplier that truly understands their needs. “This is the type of partnership we aspire to build with Komatsu and Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery," he stresses.
Central to Komatsu's approach is placing the customer at the core of its operating model while embracing a philosophy of valuing customers as partners. This meeting of minds between Komatsu and SPCC has cultivated the perfect environment for their relationship to flourish.
One Step Closer Towards Injury-Free Operations
As a winner of the first-place award for safety in the competition of the Saudi House for Consulting Services, Southern Province Cement Co. (SPCC) is one of the companies that has been well-recognized for maintaining high safety standards across its operations a commitment that also sets equally high standards for their selection of equipment and one of the driving reasons for choosing Komatsu machinery.
“The company is committed to ensuring employee safety through the application of safety measures and reliance on equipment with a very high level of safety, and this is what we found in Komatsu equipment.” In terms of safety, SPCC’s experience with Komatsu bulldozers, loaders, and dump trucks was impressive, providing peace of mind during operations and ensuring the well-being of workers.
For Komatsu, safety is always a top priority. Even in the most challenging job-site conditions, Komatsu smart machines, equipped with smart solutions, incorporate advanced safety technologies that effectively mitigate risks and prevent collisions between trucks, service vehicles, and other equipment units.
Through this dedication to safety, Komatsu and SPCC collaborate to establish a work environment where employees can carry out their tasks trusting equipment designed with their protection in mind above all else.
The Japanese Formula: Higher Efficiency and Lower Downtime
Eng. Aqeel strongly believes high-quality manufacturing directly impacts machinery performance. “The higher the quality of manufacturing, the greater the efficiency of the equipment within the facility, which reduces the potential for costly downtime that can negatively impact productivity levels.”
This holds true for the high-caliber Komatsu machinery, designed with exceptional manufacturing practices proven on job sites worldwide to excel in dependability and operational efficiency. It is Komatsu's winning formula of performance-driven design and superior manufacturing that inspired SPCC's investment.
Witnessing the results of Komatsu's quality craftsmanship in maximizing uptime and minimizing costs, SPCC realized the exceptional reliability of Komatsu machinery and its complete alignment with their operational needs and efficiency goals.
