Dubai Investments recently announced that its greenfield venture, Emirates Float Glass (EFG), is nearing completion.
Located in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, the facility has been set up with an investment of over $200 million.
The construction of the manufacturing facility, set up with the aim of making it the country’s leading integrated glass manufacturing and processing complex, is progressing as per schedule and the last few months have witnessed a huge momentum in activities with respect to civil, structural and machinery work, according to Khalid Kalban, chairman of the board of directors of EFG and managing director and CEO of Dubai Investments.
Major equipment and utility modules have arrived on site and installation is in progress for all process equipment. The synergy of integration and coordination with various agencies involved in this prestigious project has been exceptionally intensive and successful so far. The plant is expected to be in operation in the second half of 2008 delivering 600 tonnes of high-quality float glass products per day.
“We are delighted to announce that our management team, comprising of the finest industry professionals, is in place. We have also finalised a comprehensive plan for EFG, beginning with the procurement of raw materials through production to delivery including logistics solutions for our customers, and this is ready to be set into motion” says Kalban.
“The plant will employ approximately 300 people and is expected to generate 1,000 additional jobs in related supplies and logistics industries under phase 1, thereby supplementing the initiatives of the government towards industrial and economical development of the country,” he says.
“The recruitment drive for this special industrial sector was a challenge and has been successfully managed by EFG. An experienced yet diversified team of specialists from various top-class manufacturing facilities is on board and the EFG team now constitutes a focused high-skill-base of individuals who are uniquely enabled to deliver world-class services to this growing sector.
“As an integral element of the roadmap towards creating a successful operation, the core team of EFG is currently undergoing specialised training on plant heating and other operational requirements at PPG’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in the USA and Canada. Practical training is one of the strategic strengths strongly promoted by EFG.”
ND Mohanty, general manager of EFG, stated that “while the installation and commissioning of various sub-modules and plant equipment are progressing well as per schedule, all the infrastructural facilities including availability of natural gas, power and other utilities have also been arranged for with the support of ZonesCorp, the nodal agency for facility creation at the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi.” Mohanty also added that all other strategies with regard to sourcing, supplementary infrastructure and company-wide business processes are also on the final drawing board.
As well as the presence of high-profile GCC investors on the board of EFG, the company is being managed by a team of highly competent, skilled and committed professionals from the float glass industry adding excellent credibility and world-class manufacturing practices to the company’s resources.
In line with this vision and after the recent review, the EFG board has recommended that the management expeditiously commence its second phase of expansion, speeding up the creation of a truly world-class facility which is set to offer total glass solutions in this region, Kalban says.
“Having reviewed EFG’s progress and taken into account current market dynamics, Dubai Investments and EFG have drawn up extensive plans for EFG. As the region continues to experience buoyant economic growth, EFG is well positioned to cater to the exacting needs of this evolving market and its expectations, and emerge as a world-class player in the Middle East region,” observes Mohanty.
