Increasing productivity with Volvo machinery
Saudi Dolomite using Volvo BM L150 and L180F wheel loaders for their limestone operation
LIMESTONE is one of Saudi Arabia’s key natural resources and raw materials, and helping to keep the supply of this mineral at an all-time high are long-standing producers Saudi Dolomite.
Founded in 1981, Saudi Dolomite run a processing plant in Abqaiq, which is located in the desert, 80km south-west of Damman in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Covering an area of 250,000 sq metres, the plant processes 5,000 tonnes of raw materials per day. With a total of 280 employees, the plant – which runs around the clock, seven days a week – is considered a leading facility of its kind in terms of technology, productivity and quality.
According to Saudi Dolomite, one of the other key contributing factors to their success is their fleet of Volvo machines.
‘We have a long relationship with Volvo,’ said Ali Al Mubarak, managing director of Saudi Dolomite. ‘We started out with two small BM wheel loaders over 30 years ago and due to their uptime and reliability, in what are really harsh conditions, I’d say we have grown this business together.’
Saudi Dolomite’s crushing and calcination plant produces lime and dolime (calcium oxide with magnesium content) from limestone rock extracted from two quarries that the company sub-contracts. Through a number of different kilns, the company is able to manufacture specific-sized materials to be used for key industrial chemicals needed in water desalination plants, as well as for steel making in Saudi Arabia.
A number of Volvo BM L150 and L180F wheel loaders are being used for material handling and loading across the site. Required to work 12h shifts, the equipment has proven to the quarry operator it is in it for the long haul with the machines passing the 50,000h mark. In addition, Saudi Dolomite operate 35 Volvo trucks, together with the wheel loaders.
‘The wheel loaders are strong and comfortable,’ said Joal Saclao, veteran operator at Saudi Dolomite. ‘The cabin environment protects me from the dust and heat, which makes a real difference to my work and well-being, as I spend up to 12h per day in the machine.’
Supplied by regional Volvo CE dealers FAMCO, Saudi Dolomite are not only impressed with the way in which the wheel loaders are working, but with the aftermarket service that comes with the equipment too.
‘I have no doubt about Volvo machines or Volvo as a company,’ said Al Mubarak. ‘I’m happy for my business to depend on Volvo. Breakdowns are rare and the initial lifetime cost is really favourable. With Volvo and FAMCO, I firmly believe that we have a partnership rather than a basic supplier-customer relationship.
