Katch Kan Bahrain open for business

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EgTrRmnqs8]

It’s been an exciting start to 2015 for Katch Kan. The big news is our expansion into the Middle East.

In February we opened our fourth regional office and this one is in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Located in the Persian Gulf, just off the coast of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain is a group of 33 islands. The largest is Bahrain Island. The capital city of Manama is located there.  The petroleum industry is the dominant sector followed by aluminum and finance.

The largest is Bahrain Island.  The capital city of Manama is located there.  The petroleum industry is the dominant sector followed by aluminum and finance.

A member of the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) Bahrain is part of the regional intergovernmental political and economic union consisting of all Arab states of the Persian Gulf, except for Iraq. Its member states are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. As such, it is ideally located for Katch Kan to conduct business in the Middle East – the world’s leading oil-producing region.

The opening ceremony for the new office was hosted by Katch Kan’s Founder, CEO & President Quinn Holtby, his daughter Alicia along with Sandra LeBlanc (Acting GM of the Eastern Hemisphere, Katch Kan) and Sharon Sidney (Country Manager Bahrain, Katch Kan).  A long list of dignitaries was in attendance including Dr. Dhafer Ahmed  Alumran – the Assistant Undersecretary for the Gulf Cooperation Council; Bahrain’s Minister of Energy Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza; Canadian Ambassador to Bahrain Tom MacDonald; as well as representatives from the following embassies – Turkey, Japan, Russia, Palestine, South Korea, Brunei, Tunisia, Italy, Algeria, France, South Africa, the US, and Oman.

Katch Kan’s Quinn Holtby was the first to speak. He said he made the decision to set up an office in Bahrain a few years ago while there on a visit. Holtby gave a bit of history about the company, which started in his garage 20 years ago, and explained why he started it: “I made a personal commitment to improving the environment of the drilling rig. For the individual, the contractor, the operators and to protect the natural environment.”

Holtby added, “Our rig products help ensure workers are safe. As a result, the risk of injury drops dramatically.  This saves lives and money, with shutdowns being avoided, injury time is down and productivity goes up. Our Rig Safety & Zero Spill Systems deliver this to the industry.”

Following Holtby, was Dr. Alumran, who on behalf of the G.C.C., told the audience, “We are very honored to have you (Katch Kan) in Bahrain … you have my support. You have the support of Bahrain.”

 Canadian Ambassador to Bahrain, Tom MacDonald was the last to speak saying, “We are very proud to see this kind of Canadian company come here … Katch Kan’s focus is on safety and the environment. These are critical areas for the oil and gas sector and areas that enable companies to combine corporate social responsibility with profitability.  That’s Katch Kan’s mission … we are proud of them for it.”

To mark the event a commemorative coin was placed at each of the guests’ place settings.  Then to close the evening there was the unveiling of a piece of art. The photograph pictured is 125 years old.  Sheikh Isa ibn Ali Al-Khalifa was one of the longest-reigning monarchs in the region – staying in power for 63 years. This framed photo will occupy a place of prominence in the Katch Kan office, signifying the connection between the company and the country.

 Katch Kan which has been doing business in the Middle East for years will now be able to better service the region by having a permanent presence. A warehouse, which will house the more than two dozen products Katch Kan makes, is included in future plans.

Also included is having the office serve as a hub for other Canadian entrepreneurs looking to do business in the Middle East.

Katch Kan is headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and has offices in Denver, Colorado, Houston, Texas, and now Manama, Bahrain. The company’s products are sold in more than 60 countries.

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PHOTOS FROM KATCH KAN BAHRAIN OPENING – February 2015