Al Rashid Abetong Co. & Progress Group: Automating Precast Concrete Production
Precast concrete manufacturer Al Rashid Abetong Co.’s strategic partnership with the Progress Group, a leader in automated machinery for the precast industry, has brought numerous benefits to the company.
Al Rashid modernizes with reinforcement machinery from Progress Group.
For decades Al Rashid Abetong Co. has been a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's construction industry. Founded in 1977 as a Swedish-Saudi collaboration, the company has grown into the largest precast concrete manufacturer in the country and is now 100% owned by the Al Rashid family, producing approximately 500,000 cubic meters of precast annually. With Saudi Arabia’s construction market booming—particularly in housing projects—the company has embraced advanced automation to meet the rising demand and secure its competitive edge.
Why automate?
In a fast-paced and cost-sensitive market, automation is a necessity. Al Rashid Abetong Co. recognized this early and strategically partnered with Progress Group, a leader in automated machinery for the precast industry. The company’s decision to invest in two cutting-edge reinforcement machines has transformed its operations.
“These machines help us produce custom-engineered reinforcements for wall panels, with minimal waste and significantly less manpower,” explains Projects Planning Manager Ingemar Heikenberg. This highly automated solution allows for mixed-diameter welding, bending, and creating door and window openings in a streamlined process.
By adopting this technology, Al Rashid Abetong Co. has achieved:
- Increased efficiency: The new machines produce up to 700 wall panels per day, ensuring a reliable supply for three factories.
- Labor savings: Automation has reduced labor dependency by 80%, freeing up resources for other critical tasks.
- Waste reduction: Precision engineering minimizes material waste, contributing to cost savings and sustainability.
- Safer working environment: Many heavy and often dangerous tasks are now performed by the automated machinery.
Streamlining production and logistics
Automation has significantly improved production processes at Al Rashid Abetong Co. Factory Manager Ronald Tabula highlights the impact: “Before the investments in automation, we struggled to meet reinforcement demand, even working on weekends. Now, we are often ahead of schedule.”
One key advantage is the integration of design and production workflows. Plans from the design department are sent directly from the software program to the machine, the M-System Evolution mesh welding plants, eliminating delays and saving production time. This streamlined approach ensures delivery of reinforcement on time, a critical component for precast producers in their plants.
The two new M-System Evolution with individual bending heads produce customized meshes and cages through automatic welding and bending. The mesh welding plants can weld wires of varying diameters and automatically bend reinforcement, delivering ready-to-use components directly from the machine. With the special bending heads implemented in the machinery all kinds of cages can be produced fully automatically with only one machinery. These innovations not only accelerate production but also broaden the range of products Al Rashid can offer to its public, private, and government clients.
Reliable progress with Progress Group
The collaboration with Progress Group has been a cornerstone of Al Rashid’s automation success. From the initial purchase to installation and ongoing support, the partnership has been seamless. “Progress Group offered the right balance of quality, service, and cost,” explains Heikenberg.
During the installation phase, Progress engineers worked closely with Al Rashid’s team to ensure a smooth transition. Post-installation, the company continues to benefit from excellent support. “We have a reliable help desk, and whenever we need assistance, Progress Group responds promptly,” he adds.
Automation as the future of precast
The benefits of automation extend beyond operational efficiency. By reducing costs, increasing production capacity, and ensuring consistent quality, Al Rashid Abetong Co.is well-positioned for future growth. The company plans to further expand its factories and further leverage its automated systems.
“In today’s market, automation isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity,” says a spokesperson for the company. With manpower costs rising globally, automation enables companies like Al Rashid Abetong Co.’s to stay competitive while meeting growing market demands. Their investment in automation demonstrates the transformative power of technology in the precast concrete industry. Automation doesn’t just save time and resources — it shapes the future.
For further details, please contact:
Al Rashid Abetong Co.
Kind Saud Rd, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12621
www.alrashidabetong.com
Progress Machines & Automation AG
Julius-Durst-Strasse 100, 39042 Brixen, Italy
Phone +39 0472 979100
