Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), in its continual efforts to boost organisational efficiency, has implemented numerous cost-saving strategies, which enhances the company’s productivity as well as supports Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Kingdom.
Alba’s Supply Chain Group has achieved greater organisational efficiency by focussing on procurement activities, which includes reviewing of total cost of ownership of materials, intensive market study and analysis of market intelligence reports, material sourcing, elimination of duplication and advanced organisation of stock and optimisation of inventory.
Alternative local suppliers and material sources is one of the main cost-saving strategies implemented, wherein Alba explores the local market for resources. This has boosted businesses for the Bahraini SMEs and in turn, benefitted the economic development of Bahrain. For Alba, it has meant shorter lead time, optimised inventory and enhanced quality control, thus improving the company’s overall productivity.
Commenting on the various cost-effective strategies implemented by Alba’s Supply Chain Group, Alba’s Chief Financial Officer, Ali Al Baqali said: “Since Alba’s inception, we have supported the Bahraini economy and people by utilising and developing the country’s resources; today, approximately 50 per cent of our products are sold to the downstream industries alone. We are proud to boost the Bahraini economy through our prudent strategies, which also reaffirms our beliefs in Alba’s core principles of sustainability and efficiency in all aspects of operations.
The Supply Chain Group’s proactive approach has enabled the company to achieve major cost savings and enhanced the corporate governance policies of Alba, which stress on transparency and stringency in all processes. Alba continuously reviews its cost structure with the target of further improving its operating costs, which will help us remain globally sustainable and competitive.”
The recent initiatives implemented at Procurement & Warehousing Department have been spearheaded by Alba’s Department Manager, Fadhel A. Wahab. Commenting on this achievement, Wahab states: “It is a matter of pride that we have been able to successfully implement cost-saving initiatives, which in turn support the Bahraini SMEs. Once again, our employees, through their dedicated approach have proved that they believe in the principles and core values of Alba, and helped us achieve this success.”
Alba has been consistently ranked as one of the largest aluminium smelters in the world and is known for its technological strength, innovative policies and some of the latest environmentally friendly technologies.
