Sika, global leader in chemicals and building materials, officially inaugurated its state-of-the-art production facility and offices in Dubai with an investment of around AED 40 million. The new facility based in Dubai Industrial Park, one of the largest industrial hubs in Dubai and a member of TECOM Group, comes as part of the global Swiss company’s ongoing expansion and growth plans for developing its operations in the United Arab Emirates and the region.
With 240,000 tons annual production capacity, the new facility will constitute the basis for the production of high-performance concrete admixtures and will play a strategic role as a key sales and distribution center for the region. The new facility is also designed to ensure a high level of productivity and quality consistency through a fully automated system and an advanced technical training center
The official inauguration ceremony of the facility was attended by Mr. Ivo Schädler, EMEA Regional Manager, Mr. Abdullaziz Zaidan, Sika Arabia Chairman, Mr. Saud Abu Al-Shawareb, Managing Director, Dubai Industrial Park and Mr.Chris Watts, Consul General of Switzerland.
Ivo Schädler, Regional Manager EMEA Sika commented: “Sika’s new facility in Dubai Industrial Park is constituted as our strategic production, distribution, and sales center for the entire GCC area, creating the ideal conditions for further developing our growth potential in these booming construction markets.”
“With the construction industry benefiting from growing tourism as well as the UAE’s development into a regional logistics center and a hub for renewable energies and green technologies along with Dubai hosting Expo 2020, we foresee a great growth potential for our operations in UAE and region. Sika’s 2020 growth target and strategy fall well in line with UAE’s vision and plans that will provide a further boost to the construction sector with estimates of growth at close to 7% for the next few years,” added Schädler.
Mr. Saud Abu Al-Shawareb, Managing Director of Dubai Industrial Park stated: “Dubai Industrial Park (DI) is a business hub for an ever-growing region, boosted by growth in key industries, and a strategic geographical location.”
Abu Al-Shawareb added: “As one of the largest industrial hubs in Dubai with a sole objective of fast-tracking growth and expansion of the industrial sector in the UAE, DI is committed to driving economic growth and ensuring a progressive ecosystem for the manufacturing sector. We are thrilled to be the first choice for large manufacturing brands like Sika seeking to establish and grow operations in the UAE and region.”
Sika has grouped together and greatly expanded its mortar and concrete admixtures production, warehouse capacity, Technical training center and offices at the new location in Dubai Industrial Park. Material streams, logistics, and the cost structure will thus be optimized, and the course set for further growth.
Joseph Nabih General Manager Sika UAE added:” the new facility is an additional milestone towards the growth of Sika UAE which will further accelerate and maintain our leadership position in the market. Sika’s state-of-the-art facility will enable us to continue developing and introducing the latest innovative technologies into the UAE market as well as act as a hub for serving neighboring GCC markets.”
The new local polymer production facility will help to significantly cut costs and make it possible to supply customers not only in the UAE but all across the GCC with customized concrete admixtures for demanding construction projects.