Kuwait Cement Company - Corporate History

DATE

EVENTS

1968

Establishment of the company by Amiri Decree.

1972

His Royal Highness Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah the late Amir of the State of Kuwait (when he was heir to the throne and Prime Minister), on the first of Rabi Ul Thani 1392 A.H corresponding to 15/5/1972, inaugurated the first phase of the cement plant pertaining to the company in Al Shuaiba area, with a production capacity of 300,000 (three hundred thousand tons) of ordinary and sulphate resistant cement annually

1978

Commissioning of the first and second expansion of the grey cement plant to increase the production capacity to 1,350,000 tons annually by adding three grinders

1979

Commissioning of the white cement production plant with an annual production capacity of 75,000 tons

1984

Commissioning of the third expansion of the grey cement plant in which the production capacity thereof was raised to 2,070,000 tons per year by adding two grinders.

1991

Resumption of production after liberation.

1994

Conclusion of a Contract with M/s. PEG - Switzerland to provide the Consultancy services thereof for the project of clinker kiln with a capacity of 1,8 million tons per annum and the accessories thereof such as handling equipment at Shuaiba port, conveyor belts, storage silos and fuel.

1995

Signing of Contract with the contractor (Al-Zabin International Group - Kuwait) for the execution of the construction project for the new head office of the company (Cement House).

1996

Signature of a contract with (I.C.E.C) Iranian Company for the conversion of one of the old grey cement mill into white cement mill.

1998

· The Company headquarters were moved to the “Cement House” building.

· Signature of a Contract with M/s. F.L. Smidth, Denmark, and others for the procurement and installment of equipment for the new kiln for clinker production.

1999

Continuing the expansion of the White cement plant by increasing the annual production capacity thereof to about 170,000 tons instead of 75,000 tons.

2000

Signature of an agreement with Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences for the evaluation of the raw materials used in the production of Portland cement in different areas in the State of Kuwait, whereas the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research was appointed to locate for such materials. The same was completed in three phases.

2001

· The Company obtained a quality certificate from the Public Authority for Industry for the products thereof which are Ordinary, Sulphate Resistant and White cement.

· Completion of all the works in the new cement plant (kiln) for clinker production with a capacity of 1,8 million tons annually (5500 tons/day), two grinders each with a capacity of 250 tons/hour, two silos for storing clinker each with a capacity of 50,000 tons, and a heat exchanger at an approximate height of 126 meters, and the establishment of conveyor belt 780 meters in length and 15 meters in height across the street, with an unloading capacity of 1500 tons/hour by means of the equipment installed to discharge the cargo of vessels automatically and the start of operation in the kiln for clinker production.

2002

· Choosing the current logo as the Company’s new logo which was used on all official documents thereof.

· Shuwaikh Cement Company (completely owned by the company) purchased Bin Slouma Crusher in Al Fujairah emirate and the equipment, devices, machines, crushers, and buildings contained therein for the amount of (16) million AED under the new name of Al-Shuwaikh Crusher to find a steady source of limestone which is needed for clinker production in the furnace of the company plant in Al Shuaiba area.

2003

Shuwaikh Cement Company was granted a license to open a branch thereof in Al Fujairah emirate to carry out works in limestone and gravel production from Shuwaikh crusher with a production capacity of 4000 tons per day.

2004

· Signature of the contract to procure equipment to boost the production capacity of grey cement grinders with the M/s. AMCL - India and others to increase the grinding capacity in grey cement to over (3) million tons as to (2,3) million tons, by installing (3) pregrinders to help the main grinders in increasing the production capacity.

· Expansion of Shuwaikh Cement Company activities - Shuwaikh Crusher by installing and operating a second crusher, adding new equipment and machinery to the crusher, and making some upgradation to the production lines which led to the increase in production capacity to 12,000 tons per day in limestone, gravel, and sand.

2005

· Beginning the execution of the project for increasing the production capacity of grey cement grinders by adding (3) pregrinders.

·The production capacity of the clinker furnace was increased from 5500 tons/day, which is the contractual capacity, to 6800 tons/day.

2006

· The Company established Amwaj International Real Estate Company to be the necessary dispenser for the real estates thereof and to improve and develop its performance.

· Completion of the Bypass project and installation of the equipment thereof improving production of the kiln and increase of feeding with raw materials.

2007

The Company’s board of directors approved the resolution thereof to execute the project of constructing a second kiln for the production of clinker with a production capacity ranging between 1,800,000 to 2,500,000 tons/year, thus with a daily production capacity of 5500 to 8000 tons on a Fast Track basis on the same site as Al Shuaiba Cement Plant. This is due to the company’s need for doubling quantities of the clinker product to cover the difference resulting from the expansion in the kiln capacity whereas the company obtained the necessary licenses from the competent authorities.

2008

· The company produced an advanced type of cement called Masonry cement and brought the same to the local market. It is used in all construction works except the regular concrete.

· A Contract was concluded with one of the American consulting companies to carry out the design of construction and civil works of the second line of clinker production project with a capacity of 5500 tons / day. A contract was also signed with one of the European countries for the procurement of the main equipment which shall include the kiln and the accessories thereof. The LOI for the construction and civil works of the project were also awarded.