IKO Roofing Shingles

Founded in 1951, IKO now has more than 60 years of experience in the roofing shingles industry and is a global leader in the roofing, insulation, and waterproofing industries. In 1954 IKO made the first Asphalt Roofing Shingles and in 1959 the company opened its first manufacturing plant in Brampton, Canada. IKO then expanded on its success by opening multiple manufacturing plants across North America and Europe. The current number of plants stands at 8 in the USA, 12 in Canada and 10 across Europe (Belgium, England, The Netherlands, France, and Slovakia).

By exporting its Roofing Shingles and accessories to more than 100 countries, IKO has become the largest exporter of roofing in the world. As a family owned and globally operated company, IKO prioritizes customer satisfaction, product quality and long-term performance. ABNG International is an exclusive distribution partner for IKO Roofing Shingles and accessories to the Middle East, specifically to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. ABNG International is honored to introduce these products to one of the world’s most promising markets.

Although IKO’s Bitumen Roofing Shingles company was founded in Canada, North America, IKO has built a strong presence throughout Europe. IKO’s European division headquarters is located in Belgium where it controls the distribution and export of IKO products to the Middle East. From its Slovakia plant, IKO offers customers Roofing Shingles in an extensive range of colors and shapes at very competitive prices. Many IKO shingles are self-adhesive, thanks to the company’s highly innovative technology. In terms of certifications and approvals, each and every IKO shingle made in Europe is CE (Europe) marked. And some of IKO’s shingles like the Cambridge Xtreme 9.5” have been tested by the KIWA-BDA Institute Netherlands.

The reason IKO became a pioneer in the global Asphalt Roofing Shingle market is because, unlike other manufacturers, IKO specializes in controlling and processing the raw materials in its own plants. This gives IKO a self-reliance advantage over other manufacturers. By producing its own raw materials, it can control product quality, performance and reliability while offering competitive pricing. The IKO group is one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of bituminous waterproofing and residential roofing products. IKO’s European division manufacturers more than 70 different shapes and colors of shingles, which are made with a glass fiber mat inlay.

In addition to manufacturing shingles, IKO also provides a complete package of roofing solutions, which includes all the accessories needed for installing shingles. IKO shingles and associated products are used worldwide. They are installed on the Canadian Museum of History in Quebec, Westminster Cathedral in London, England, Christchurch Art Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand, and on many other famous buildings.

Since IKO has so much confidence in the quality of their Roofing Shingles, it offers a unique Shingles Platinum Guarantee to customers, in addition to the standard limited warranty. As experts in shingles, IKO guarantees the highest level of quality and reliability for its shingle roofs on any type of building or structure they’re installed on.

ABNG International has an exclusive partnership with IKO to distribute its Roofing Shingles and accessories to the Middle East. With years of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) sales and marketing experience throughout the Middle East and surrounding markets, ABNG International proudly looks forward to teaming up with distribution partners for IKO Roofing Shingles, a product that falls under ABNG International’s building materials division. Our primary sales targets for IKO Shingles and accessories in the Middle East are the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

The Middle East is one of the fastest growing regions in the world with a deeply rooted traditional culture that also appreciates new modern buildings. Due to innovations in the Oil and Gas industries in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain and the easy access to other continents like Europe, Africa and Asia, the Middle East has become the favorite hub of many industrial giants and multibillion-dollar corporations. To attract their share of the growing number of business travelers and tourists, the rich Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are competing to build the best skyscrapers, hotels, malls, exhibition centers, sports arenas, stadiums, and other attractions within their own realms.

The hot climate and modern lifestyle in the Middle East, especially in the GCC nations, attract people from many different countries. People are moving there in droves, driving up residential construction in the region. Due to the frequency of sandstorms and an extremely hot climate, architects often design, and construction companies usually build flat-roof structures with concrete, clay tiles or metal roofing. But, due to the economic challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, investors are looking for better options. Their goal is to reduce costs while improving quality with energy saving products.

The construction industry is a great example in which this can be achieved. When compared to other roofing models, a Shingle Roof offers a big economic advantage due to its light weight. Unlike concrete or metal roofing, Asphalt Shingle Roofs do not need a heavy, expensive structure to support it, which saves a lot of time and money. Bitumen can also be installed on any slope roofed project, including on residential, commercial, or industrial buildings.

Global climate change is another major factor causing big changes in construction practices throughout the world, including the Middle East. After decades of only experiencing hot weather, some Middle Eastern countries are now experiencing rain and flooding. Shingles work well in all weather conditions, including extreme heat, humidity, rain, and snow.

These are the reasons why shingles will soon provide a great alternative and top roofing option for projects being built in the Middle East, a region that loves keeping up with the world’s latest trends. With multiple designs and color choices, IKO Bitumen Shingles will offer Middle Eastern customers a great choice for small residential homes all the way up to commercial skyscrapers. As a leading shingle expert, IKO highly recommends their laminated Cambridge Xpress, Cambridge Xtreme 9.5”, ArmourShield, or the 3Tab Superglass, as each one is perfect for the region.

By maintaining control from the supply of raw materials to the finished product, IKO stays several steps ahead of other Asphalt Shingle manufactures. IKO produces granules from its own mines and manufactures select glass fiber mat, both critical raw materials that go into producing Asphalt Shingles. IKO’s Vertical Integration is a major advantage that helps it compete in the marketplace against similar shingle manufacturers in terms of nonstop supply and affordability.

Since IKO has the Vertical Integration process to control raw materials, it is able to manufacture shingles of premium quality and consistency. IKO is the only Asphalt Shingle manufacturer in North America with the ability to combine shingles produced in different manufacturing plants. This gives IKO an additional convenience for their customers by being able to supply premium quality shingles with the same consistency at an affordable price

IKO can be more cost effective in manufacturing its roofing shingles and accessories because the company can streamline its supply chain. This is how IKO can compete with its Cambridge brand, an asphalt-rich, heavy-weight shingle. IKO’s Cambridge style is the heaviest shingle on the market when compared to similar ones made by competitors. Thanks again to IKO’s Vertical Integration process.

As IKO is a world leader in producing quality Asphalt Shingles, its leadership always adopts new concepts to out-perform the competition. IKO’s Advantage-Sized Cambridge shingles are larger in size, which provides more coverage compared to other shingles in the marketplace. This helps roofing professionals finish their jobs faster.

When it comes to designs, types, colors, and styles, IKO again proves that it can compete at the highest levels with other manufacturers in the global Asphalt Roofing Shingles market. IKO produces shingles in 70 different shapes and colors in just their European division and Vertical Integration plays a key role in this.

Roofing shingles are always a cost-effective and alternative option for customers. For centuries, builders in the world’s largest economies and most developed countries, like the USA, Canada, and many European nations, have been using shingles for roofs in residential, commercial, and industrial areas. Various weather conditions, like extreme heat in California and Nevada, high humidity in Alaska, hurricanes in Florida and the snowy winters, mild springs, warm summers, and fall weather in New York have proven that shingles are the best and most adaptable roofing material.

The demand for shingle roofing is growing all over the world compared to the high investment needed for concrete or metal roofing. IKO’s expertise in the shingle industry is unparalleled, as are their products. The company offers a wide range of colors, shapes (rectangular, hexagonal, rounded, triangular, and special 3D shapes) and other options for any type of roofing project. Throughout the years IKO has exported its products to many different countries. IKO’s roofing shingles will be an admirable option in the Middle East since it has been shown to withstand any climate or weather conditions, including the extreme heat and windstorms prevalent in the region. If you are an architect, builder, or construction company, before you start on any new project, consider the benefits of using roofing shingles. The cost savings will amaze you, but more than anything you would be helping our beautiful earth by being energy efficient and using a recyclable product, shingles.