Founded in 1995, Solar Alert Sdn Bhd is a 100% Malaysian-owned company. The company has two principal business: in the petroleum industry and in building and construction industry. Managing director, Dato Hj Zubaidi Hj Sulaiman points out that Solar Alert is the only Malaysian company, licensed by American Petroleum Institute, to design and manufacture Wellhead and Christmas tree (pieces of equipment) required by petroleum companies such as PETRONAS, Shell, Hess, Repsol and others.
“Solar Alert currently commands about 70% of the petroleum industry’s equipment and services market share. Our products are also exported to customers overseas. Other product lines include maintenance and repair services for Wellhead and Christmas tree and related well-safety equipment, monitoring of H2S gas on drilling rigs and platforms, installing a habitat system for welding in live plants and a sand removal system from oil and gas wells,” says Dato Zubaidi. In the building and construction industry, Solar Alert provide project management expertise, design, and construction of building and civil works. The company also provides elevator and escalator systems and equipment, fire-fighting systems as well as maintenance services for these systems and equipment.
Making a positive impact
Solar Alert is proud to contribute to the local economy in several ways. Firstly, the company’s operations in the petroleum industry develops local talent skilled in manufacturing high-value equipment and in advance technology design. Meanwhile, in the construction industry, Solar Alert develops local expertise capable of high-quality project management and construction services. “We provide job opportunities in high-tech engineering as well as training and on-site working experience to our employees. Furthermore, Solar Alert has invested millions of Ringgit in sophisticated engineering design software, computerised numerical control (CNC) machines, high pressure and high temperature testing facilities, advance measurement tools and equipment,” says Dato Zubaidi. “Our employees use this software and machines daily. This enables them to gain invaluable experience and skills. Moreover, since Solar Alert requires support services from other local companies in both industries, we are actively contributing to the growth of the local economy. Finally, our high-tech capabilities, systems and services supports the government’s aspirations to build a knowledge-based, digitally driven, highincome economy,” he adds. Solar Alert currently has offices in Selangor, Terengganu, Sarawak, Sabah, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The company also initiates and supports CSR activities in these locations. Their CSR efforts and activities include providing financial and equipment support to handicap associations, aiding those affected by floods, fires, or disasters, supplying food and personal protection equipment (PPE) during the fight against Covid-19, financial donations to mosques and schools and providing industrial training to college and university students via an internship programme.
Building a local champion
Datuk Zubaidi has always had his sights on building a local company that on par with international organisations. His dream was to build a Malaysian ‘champion’, with the calibre and skills, recognised and respected by the global business arena. When it comes to business decisions, Dato Zubaidi thinks about more than monetary aspects. He looks to ensure that the company’s employees are not disadvantaged. “I have to protect my employees as I believe that I am not only responsible for them but also for their families. After all, each person may have a husband, wife, and children. Some may also be caring for their elderly parents,” he notes. Both Datuk Zubaidi’s parents worked as rubber tappers in Bukit Merah, Perak. He describes growing up as a ‘kampong boy’ looking to help his family by becoming an engineer with a toolbox of gadgets. Dato Zubaidi’s parents inspired him to work hard and to be prudent with the companies’ finances. For example, when Solar Alert won a big contract from Petronas in 2006, he told the board of directors that celebrations should only take place later. “This project marked a turning point for the company but I wanted to keep our overheads low so we can continue to develop Solar Alert into a high calibre company. I told the board of directors that with this project, we only achieved between 20% and 30% of our goal and that more success can be expected when we have developed a company that we are proud of,” he explains.
Looking ahead
Solar Alert is poised to be the leading local manufacturer of specialised equipment for the petroleum industry. The company also has plans to establish a manufacturing plant in Indonesia to meet the requirement of their foreign customers. “We are looking to increase our expertise and capabilities to cater for new built constructions projects and provide maintenance services for existing buildings. We will be looking for new business to diversify our business portfolio especially in high technology and high growth business areas,” explains Dato Zubaidi.
Solar Alert business areas
For the oil and gas industry
- Wellhead and Christmas Tree
- Wellhead and Christmas Tree Maintenance
- Mudline Suspension Equipment
- H2S Services
- Welding Habitat
- Equipment Supply
- Drilling risers
- Gate valve
- Wellhead Dessander
Mechanical and Electrical Systems
- Fire Fighting System
- Lifts and Escalators
- Water Treatment System
