Gulf Facilities Trading & Contracting

What Gulf Facilities Trading & Contracting does

Gulf Facilities Trading & Contracting Co. (GFT) is a Kuwait-headquartered diversified business group operating across construction, engineering products distribution, internet services, sponsorship services, and health & beauty. Founded in 1997 as an HVAC and mechanical general contractor, the company has expanded into five largely independent operating lines, each with its own GTM and revenue mechanics: (1) project-based construction and MEP contracting for government and private clients in Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, and other MENA markets; (2) sole-agency distribution of HVAC, ventilation, piping, and fire-protection products under brands including Greenheck, SAFID, Perma-Pipe, Mercor, and Berner, plus co-manufactured sheet-metal products via SAFID joint facilities in Sharjah, Qatar, and Basra; (3) Smart Net, a wholly-owned ISP operating in Libya on a subscription basis; (4) staff-hosting and sponsorship services for foreign companies needing Kuwaiti legal residency and work permits, with named defense and professional-services clients; and (5) Apollo Hair Systems, a franchise-based hair-restoration brand operating across Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Lebanon.

GFT's business model is a portfolio of project-based (construction), transaction-fee (engineering distribution), subscription (ISP), and professional-services (sponsorship and hair restoration) revenue streams, with quote-based pricing across all lines. Go-to-market is primarily direct enterprise field sales for construction and government work, supplemented by sole-agency distribution networks for engineering products and consultative sales for sponsorship services. The group has 251–500 employees and offices in Kuwait (HQ), UAE, Qatar, Lebanon, and Libya, with reported project activity in Iraq. GFT holds ISO 9001:2015, 14001:2015, and 45001:2018 certifications, TRACE International anti-bribery membership (since 2011), Kuwait Central Tenders Committee Third Grade construction classification, and Microsoft Partner Network membership.

Revenue, ownership, and management data are not disclosed in the source material, and the group's five lines are described as operating independently with no unified platform architecture. Customer concentration is weighted toward government and defense-sector clients in Kuwait and Iraq, and the engineering-products franchise depends on the continuation of long-tenured sole-agency rights (notably Greenheck, held since 1991).

Name

Gulf Facilities Trading & Contracting

Legal name

Gulf Facilities General Trading & Contracting Co.

Website

https://gftme.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

GFT is a Kuwait-based diversified business group (founded 1997, 251–500 employees) operating five lines: construction and MEP contracting, sole-agency distribution of HVAC/ventilation brands, a Libya-based ISP (Smart Net), Kuwait sponsorship services for foreign companies, and Apollo Hair Systems franchise centers across the Middle East.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diversified Trading and Contracting Services

NAICS

Glass and Glazing Contractors (238150)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540), Wholesale-Construction & Mining (No Petro) Machinery & Equip (5082)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAFAAAI

Self-Performing General Contractors

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Construction & Civil Engineering/General Contracting & Construction Management

Keywords

• Construction contracting services
• HVAC ventilation systems
• Engineering products distribution
• Internet service provider
• Sponsorship staffing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Salmiya

HQ country

Kuwait

HQ region

Middle East

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Construction Services: Construction management and contracting services for private and public sector projects including internal design, decorative works, reinforced concrete structures, MEP works, and finishing services. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts.
2. Engineering Products Distribution: Distribution and sole agency of HVAC, ventilation, piping, fire protection systems, and air curtain products from international manufacturers (Greenheck, SAFID, Perma-Pipe, Mercor, Berner) across Middle East markets.
3. HVAC Systems and Mechanical Contracting: Original core business focusing on HVAC systems and mechanical general contracting services, providing complete solutions for major buildings and commercial complexes.
4. Internet Service Provider (Smart Net): High-speed ISP services in Libya offering 24/7 connectivity to individuals, businesses, and government institutions through cutting-edge technology and infrastructure.
5. Sponsorship Services: Staff hosting and sponsorship services for foreign companies operating in Kuwait, including company establishment, employee support services, government liaising, and work permit processing.
6. Health and Beauty (Apollo Centers): Hair restoration and hair care products/services through Apollo Hair Systems franchise centers in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Lebanon.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

GFT is a diversified trading and contracting business group providing construction management services, HVAC/ventilation engineering product distribution, internet services through its Smart Net subsidiary in Libya, sponsorship and staff hosting services for foreign companies operating in Kuwait, and hair restoration services through the Apollo Hair Systems franchise. The company serves as a sole agent for international engineering brands including Greenheck, SAFID, Perma-Pipe, Mercor, and Berner across Middle East markets.

Product overview

Gulf Facilities Trading & Contracting Co. is a diversified business group operating as a multi-service trading and contracting company rather than a unified software platform. The company operates five distinct service/product lines: (1) Construction Services providing full-scope construction management including design, finishing works, MEP, and civil works; (2) Engineering Products serving as the sole or authorized agent for international HVAC and ventilation brands including Greenheck, SAFID, Perma-Pipe, Mercor, and Berner; (3) Smart Net, an Internet Service Provider offering 24/7 connectivity services in Libya; (4) Sponsorship Services providing staff hosting, company establishment, and government liaison services for foreign companies operating in Kuwait; and (5) Apollo Hair Systems, a hair restoration and beauty service brand. These products operate independently across different business segments with no unified platform architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Apollo Hair Systems: Hair replacement and hair loss treatment services with over 160 locations worldwide, offering non-surgical hair restoration methods and hair care products.
• Smart Net

Products and services

• Construction Services Full-scope construction management and contracting services for private and public sector clients, covering internal design, decorative works, reinforced concrete structures, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, MEP, and civil works. Targets government and private sector clients across Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, and other Middle East markets.
• Engineering Products Distribution Sole-agent distribution of ventilation, air conditioning, piping, and fire protection equipment from international manufacturers (Greenheck, SAFID, Perma-Pipe, Mercor, Berner) for major buildings, commercial complexes, and oil/gas infrastructure projects across the Middle East.
• Smart Net ISP High-speed, secure, and reliable Internet Service Provider (ISP) offering 24/7 seamless connectivity and unlimited access for individuals, businesses, and government institutions in Libya, operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of GFT.
• Sponsorship Services Staff hosting and sponsorship services in Kuwait for foreign companies, including company establishment, employee support services, government liaising, and work permit processing for legal operations in Kuwait. Clients include defense contractors (QinetiQ NA, Perspecta Inc., Vencore) and professional services firms (Jacobs Zate, BEMO).
• Apollo Hair Systems Non-surgical hair replacement and restoration services, including hair replacement, treatment sessions for hair loss, alopecia solutions, baldness solutions, scalp treatment, and an exclusive line of hair care products. Operated as Apollo centers under GFT's ownership across Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Lebanon.

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TRACE InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2011 GFT received a membership certification from TRACE International, demonstrating full compliance with transparent business practices and anti-bribery standards. This partnership provides credibility for GFT's operations across the Middle East.
• GreenheckcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGFT has been the sole representative for Greenheck in Qatar and Kuwait since 1991. Greenheck is a global leading manufacturer of ventilation equipment with sales of over $1 billion annually, 4,000+ employees, and over a million square feet of manufacturing space.
• SAFIDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGFT represents SAFID in Kuwait. SAFID is one of the leading manufacturers of sheet metal products in the Middle East, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. GFT and SAFID have jointly established manufacturing facilities in Sharjah, Qatar and soon in Basra-Iraq.
• Perma-PipecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPerma-Pipe Inc. is the largest manufacturer of pre-insulated and secondary containment piping systems in the United States. GFT distributes Perma-Pipe products for oil, gas and chilled water systems in the Middle East.
• MercorminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMercor is one of the largest European entities operating within the field of passive fire protection systems including smoke and heat exhaust systems, roof light systems, fire ventilation systems, and fire protection of building structures.
• BernerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHeadquartered in New Castle, Pa., Berner produces efficient, cost-effective, reliable air curtains. GFT distributes Berner air curtain products for commercial, architectural, and industrial applications.
• Apollo Hair Systems Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApollo Hair Systems Inc. was founded in Kansas City in 1972 and has over 160 locations worldwide. Apollo was first introduced to the Middle East region through the first Center in Kuwait in 1992. Today, centers are in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Lebanon.
• Smart Net (Libya)coreOthersSmart Net is an ISP established in Libya by a team of experienced engineers, offering high-speed, secure, and reliable internet connectivity to individuals, businesses, and government institutions 24/7.
• BEMOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBEMO is a foreign company utilizing GFT's sponsorship services to legally operate in Kuwait. GFT provides staff hosting and sponsorship services for BEMO.
• QinetiQ NAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQinetiQ NA is a defense company utilizing GFT's sponsorship services to operate in Kuwait. GFT provides comprehensive sponsorship and staff hosting solutions.
• Perspecta Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerspecta Inc. is a defense contractor using GFT's sponsorship services for legal operations in Kuwait.
• VencoreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVencore (now part of Peraton) is a defense company utilizing GFT's sponsorship services in Kuwait.
• Jacobs ZateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJacobs Zate is a professional services firm utilizing GFT's sponsorship services to operate in Kuwait.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Alghanim Industries: Kuwait's largest privately held conglomerate with construction, engineering, and trading operations, representing a larger-scale analog of GFT's diversified business group structure.
• Trane Technologies: Global HVAC systems manufacturer active in commercial and industrial markets that GFT serves through its distribution and contracting arms across the Middle East.
• Carrier Global: Global HVAC manufacturer whose products flow through MENA distribution channels that include Greenheck/Perma-Pipe/Berner partners like GFT — the upstream principal counterpart to GFT's engineering products distribution.
• KIPCO Group: Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) — large MENA diversified holding with interests in construction, services, and industrials, structurally analogous to GFT's group-of-businesses approach.
• National Industries Group (Holding): Kuwaiti conglomerate with construction materials, contracting, and diversified industrial operations, broadly comparable to GFT's multi-sector trading and contracting model.

Regional players

• Arabtec Holding: UAE-based construction group with regional general contracting and MEP capabilities serving Gulf government and private clients — geographic peer with overlapping service mix.
• Al Habtoor Group: UAE diversified conglomerate with construction, hospitality, and trading operations across the Middle East, comparable in scope and geographic diversification to GFT.

Direct peers

• Combined Group Contracting: Kuwaiti general contractor executing infrastructure and building projects for public-sector clients across the Gulf, overlapping GFT's project-based contracting model.
• Boodai Construction Group: Major Kuwaiti construction and engineering group operating across the Middle East with MEP and building services exposure comparable to GFT's contracting business.
• Kharafi National: One of Kuwait's largest general contractors and MEP providers with deep government relationships, directly comparable to GFT's construction and HVAC contracting core.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gulf-facilities-trading

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gulf Facilities Trading & Contracting