The first of many cement companies to make the list is enjoying something of a purple patch. Southern Province Cement, which was set up in 1978, recently posted a 16.3% increase in profits for the first half of 2012 to $131.5m. The business currently operates three plants, namely in Jazan, Bisha and at Tahamah in the Makkah region.

The original plant opened at Jazan in 1981, and produces around 7,550t of clinker per day, while its second plant at Bisha, producing around 1.2million tons a year, opened in 1997. More recently, the company opened its Tahamah plant at Al-Aradiah Al-Janoubiah in Makkah region, and it has completed the installation of a second line at the plant, which it attributed for part of the growth in profits during the first half of 2012. However, weaker second-quarter profits were blamed on a decree by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to reduce selling prices.