Saudi-based Universal Building Materials Merchants Company (UBM) has signed a strategic alliance agreement with Assa Abloy Security Solutions Middle East (Assa Abloy), a leading manufacturer of door opening solutions across the globe.

The move will help the two companies join forces that will go a long way in serving the construction sector of the kingdom, said Assa Abloy in a statement.

This new relationship positions the two companies for significant growth in the kingdom’s construction industry, it stated.

"UBM is excited to be associated with Assa Abloy, an industry leader that emphasises innovation, quality, and a sustainable approach to business," remarked Raghunath Sadasivam, the chairman of the UBM advisory board after signing the agreement with Nassim Abu Yousef, the chief executive of Assa Abloy.

UBM’s finance head Farakh Farid and Assa Abloy’s country manager Basheer Al Jabasini were also present at the signing ceremony held at UBM’s head office.

"We see history in the making since the agreement will benefit the construction fraternity of the Kingdom," said Sadasivam.

“We will have added focus on selling innovative and technology based products, including doors from Assa Abloy,” he noted.

Abu Yousef termed the agreement as a perfect association between the two business entities, which will boost collaboration and growth.

Assa Abloy, he stated, was a world leader in total door opening solutions with presence in over 70 countries.

"We have a leading position in areas such as access control, identification technology, entrance automation and hotel security. Since its formation in 1994, Assa Abloy has grown from a regional company into an international group with around 47,000 employees and sales of more than $8 billion," he explained.

UBM, on the other hand, is the leading supplier of quality door hardware, mechanical and architectural products to the construction industry in the kingdom.

Abu Yousef said he was confident about the growth of the Gulf market, especially in Saudi Arabia where several projects were under way or to be announced.

Assa Abloy boasts two manufacturing facilities in the region - UAE and Egypt - and is currently on an expansion course with “new acquisitions happening soon”, he added.-TradeArabia News Service