21/08/2018
Sika is developing its operations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the opening of a new factory in Dubai. An existing production facility for concrete admixtures has been relocated to the new site and expanded. A state-of-the-art mortar facility and a reactor for producing polymers have been installed and will constitute the basis for the production of high-performance concrete admixtures. Furthermore, the new facility will play a strategic role as a sales and distribution center for the region.
Sika has grouped together and greatly expanded its mortar and concrete admixtures production, warehouse capacity, and offices at the new location in Dubai Industrial City. Material streams, logistics, and the cost structure will thus be optimized, and the course set for further growth. The local polymer production facility will help to significantly cut costs and make it possible to supply customers located in all states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with customized concrete admixtures for demanding construction projects.
"The new site in Dubai Industrial City is conveniently located between Dubai and Abu Dhabi and has been established as our strategic production, distribution, and sales center for the entire GCC area. We have thus created the ideal conditions for developing our growth potential in these booming construction markets." Ivo Schädler, Regional Manager EMEA
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR BENEFITING FROM ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION
The UAE wants to reduce its dependence on oil and to diversify its economy. The construction industry is benefiting from growing tourism as well as from the UAE’s development into a regional logistics center and a hub for renewable energies and green technologies. Moreover, Dubai has been selected to host Expo 2020, which will provide a further boost to the construction sector. Estimates put growth at close to 7% for the next few years.