Khalid Ibrahim AlRawaf
CEO of AlRawaf Contracting
Partners in all endeavours
Khalid Ibrahim AlRawaf, CEO, AlRawaf Contracting, details his company’s rise to becoming one of Saudi Arabia’s top local contractors in construction and engineering and its efforts to embody the Vision 2030 strategy’s development and sustainability goals.
“The Vision 2030 strategy encompasses not only state-owned enterprises but has also spearheaded an overarching alignment across the private sector.”
Khalid Ibrahim AlRawaf
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Can you give us an overview of AlRawaf Contracting’s various successes since it was established and where it stands today?
The company was initially founded in 1996 as an institution. In 2000, we evolved into a full-fledged company through an entry into subcontracting. We began with a focus on the construction of buildings and roads and later expanded into electrical and infrastructure projects around 2006. Over time, we began taking on mega projects valued in the millions including military complexes, asphalt roads, bridges and tunnels. Recognizing the need for change beyond 2010, we initiated a basic governance framework that by 2015 propelled us into more significant projects with contracts valued in the billions. From 2015 onwards we diversified into telecommunications, sewage, water purification and sewage stations, gaining sector-wide recognition by 2018 and topping the charts in both water and road sectors for the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.
Our focus then shifted to corporate governance from 2018 to 2020, which culminated in the establishment of Sakif Holding Company in 2021. This transition saw AlRawafi Contracting become a subsidiary. We also established three other companies: Rafa Company, an oil company qualified by the Ministry of Energy that excels in expanding gas station operations; Telad Real Estate Company, which collaborates with the Ministry of Housing; and Falcon Industries Company, which complements its counterpart’s endeavors by supplying concrete and asphalt for various project. In 2022 we defined a vision for the company to enhance our governance model and attract top managerial talents.
We are now at a stage of trust with private companies, quasi-governmental entities and ministries. We currently focus on solutions for roads, buildings, water and energy, with a workforce primarily specialized in electromechanical and civil engineering. We possess expertise in both construction solutions and innovative business practices. Although we have considered moving into international markets, the Kingdom currently has ample opportunities for expansion. We will hold on until we decide the right time. However, potential alliances with American contracting companies are being considered in the future. -
How significant has Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy been in driving the company’s recent transformations?
It is crucial for us to align with the Vision 2030 strategy. We are focused on further innovating our technologies and management. We have successfully established strong governance practices and drawn in skilled professionals from both local and international sources to encourage continued innovation. Environmental and occupational safety ranks high among our priorities. Our aim is to remain competitive and develop company-specific practices to stay abreast of developments within the Vision 2030 framework. The Vision 2030 strategy encompasses not only state-owned enterprises but has also spearheaded an overarching alignment across the private sector. Our goal is to ascend to the level of prominent companies that Vision 2030 relies on.
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What competitive advantages have allowed for AlRawaf Contracting and its sister companies to gain such prominent success in the Saudi Arabian market?
Our attractiveness as a company is based on the following factors: our projects have consistently seen advances in terms of quality; we maintain a strong focus on timely project delivery; we have attained financial stability through our partnerships with banks; and we have maintained a stable position in attracting and retaining local talent. We prioritize administrative development and ensure legal compliance within the company. We have an internal management team that oversees our operations and the conduct of individuals within the company and on project teams. This team comprises legal and financial committees that work together. Upholding ethical standards is paramount for us, including work ethics, legal compliance, environmental responsibility and occupational safety. We also prioritize the professional development of our employees. We want everyone to embody our company's values and meet its standards. We view employee retention as a vital aspect of corporate sustainability. We are pleased to note that our employee turnover rate is exceptionally low considering the company's size. Thankfully, our commitment to national service remains steadfast. We're grateful that we have not faced any ethical challenges thus far and continue to strive to maintain this integrity in the future.
It is important for us to emphasize that we are more than a contractor; we are a partner in all endeavors. The success of each project reflects the success of our clients, which is our main objective. Our aim is to extend our efforts beyond individual projects, even after completion. We differentiate ourselves from the competition in terms of good pricing, timely deliveries and maintaining high quality and safety standards. -
What efforts does the company make to stay abreast of new disruptive technologies available in the market?
Regarding emerging technologies, our information technology management team collaborates with companies on projects, thereby benefiting us as contractors in our various project capacities. We actively showcase new technologies even if they are not initially integrated into the projects we are involved in. We introduce and attract responsible technology companies, assess their financial viability and future advantages, and then implement them. What is notable here is our steadfast readiness to incorporate new technologies into our work without hesitation due to our innovative and consistently vigilant research team. Any employee can propose a new idea, and we promptly evaluate its feasibility.
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How important is environmental conservation in the company’s ethos and projects?
We are engaged in various initiatives that involve profit-making and non-profit sectors. Our initiatives encompass projects related to eco-friendly sports and efforts in afforestation across desert regions. Throughout all our projects, we uphold environmental conservation standards from inception to completion. We have a dedicated environmental management team that meticulously evaluates each project's environmental impact, and we are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing this aspect to the best of our capabilities. For example, we were recognized as the top performer in environmental practices in the Neom project and have earned accolades from leading companies.
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Can you give us an overview of AlRawaf Contracting’s various successes since it was established and where it stands today?