HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Worldwide industrial services company Harsco Corporation (NYSE:HSC) announced today its receipt of new contracts in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia totaling $3.5 million to support the region's expanding investment in major infrastructure projects.
Harsco's engineered formwork systems have been selected for the reconstruction of the Mafraq Interchange, a key gateway for motorists entering Abu Dhabi's Al Gharbia western region. When completed next year, the project, which includes road expansion, a bridge and two flyovers, is expected to support widespread development in the region, where the government has said it plans to invest some $27 billion on infrastructure, tourism and economic development projects to stimulate growth. Harsco's rental formwork will be used throughout the onsite construction of the project's concrete bridge piers and other large concrete structures. Harsco's formwork has also been chosen for the construction of new highway bridges at Al Ain, the fourth largest city in the United Arab Emirates.
In Saudi Arabia, Harsco's formwork has been selected for the construction of the new Princess Noura bint AbdulRahman University for Women. The project, a prestigious new 26,000-student facility being built north of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital city, will create the largest university for women in the world. Meanwhile, Harsco's Cuplok scaffolding rentals will support the final phase of work in the multi-level expansion of the famous Jamaraat pedestrian bridge near Mecca, where tens of millions of pilgrims converge each year for religious observances.
"Securing roles in such prestigious and vital infrastructure projects as these attests to our equipment and engineering reputation as well as the strong relationships we have built with the leading construction firms in this key growth region," said Harsco Infrastructure CEO Geoffrey D. H. Butler. "The enormous investments in core infrastructure being planned by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and other Gulf Region states will be a major factor in resuming Harsco's growth momentum as our principal markets re-emerge from the economic recession."
Harsco Corporation is a diversified industrial services company serving global industries that are fundamental to worldwide economic growth, including infrastructure, metals, railways and energy. Harsco's common stock is a component of the S&P MidCap 400 Index and the Russell 1000 Index. Additional information can be found at Harsco's new website at www.harsco.com.
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