MUSCAT: on 17 and 18 April 2007, Sohar Aluminium (SA) representatives met with more than thirty five local Omani companies to answer questions and explain SA’s vendor registration process.

Sohar Aluminium is currently collecting information about suitable companies that may be able to supply goods and/or services on a temporary or ongoing basis to the company’s offices and smelter facilities in Sohar.

Omani business owners from Muscat and the Batinah regions, involved in electrical and instrumentation, general fabrication, industrial cleaning, manpower, catering, mechanical, machining, waste disposal and landscape services, participated at the information session at the Sohar Aluminium Information and Recruitment Centre in Sohar.

Mr Marius Estherhuizen, Sohar Aluminium’s Procurement Manager, said “This has been an ideal opportunity for Sohar Aluminium to meet its company’s objectives of engaging with local businesses and providing them with the necessary information to enable them to potentially supply Sohar Aluminium with its required spares and services”.

Since January 2007, potential vendors and contractors wanting to register their details with Sohar Aluminium can access the online registration service at www.sohar-aluminium.com

The process will accelerate the contracting and procurement process by ensuring that potential vendors and suppliers can comply with Sohar Aluminium’s general business principles and meet the technical, quality and EHS requirements. It will also ensure that Sohar Aluminium’s search for qualified vendors is carried out in a consistent and transparent manner.

“By registering your business on the Sohar Aluminium Vendor Registration System your company will be considered to be added to the suppliers’ list when a suitable contract is tendered,”.Mr Estherhuizen said.

Sohar Aluminium’s shareholders are Oman Oil Company, Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority, and Alcan. The company was established in September 2004 to construct and operate a single AP35 potline aluminium smelter with an associated power plant.

The smelter is targeted to start its first production of hot metal in 2008.