The UAE firm is leveraging Abu Dhabi infrastructure even as it plans to venture further afield in and beyond the Gulf

Gulf Precast, the largest precast concrete company in the UAE, plans to invest Dh50 million ($13.6 million) on a precast concrete manufacturing plant at Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad).

Gulf Precast has signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports for the plant.

The new facility, which will be Gulf Precast’s seventh plant in the UAE, will cover an area of around 72,000 sq m and focus on the production of high-quality precast concrete elements, predominantly for the local construction industry.

“The commitment of high-calibre organisations like Gulf Precast confirms the business advantages and value-added offerings of Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone. Demand for precast concrete in the construction sector is on the rise due to the increasing number of projects in the country. We are able to support organisations like Gulf Precast to grow their operations and meet this demand both within the Emirates and abroad, capitalising on the integration of Khalifa Port with Kizad and the excellent intermodal transportation network available,” said Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports, and chairman, board of directors, Kizad.

Elias Seraphim, CEO of Gulf Precast, remarked: “Our new manufacturing facility in the Khalifa Industrial Zone will further strengthen our market presence and enhance our service offerings to successfully cater to the entire spectrum of high-profile construction projects. Kizad’s strategic location will expand our reach within the Emirates and support our plans to penetrate international markets through Khalifa Port.”

Recently, Gulf Precast started building additional precast plants in Saudi Arabia and plans to expand into other countries in the GCC region and North Africa.

With projects like the Al Falah Community Development, Palazzo Versace, Ikea and Dubai Mall as part of the company’s broad portfolio, Gulf Precast enjoys an excellent reputation across the UAE and beyond. Gulf Precast’s new manufacturing plant is set to commence operations in April 2016.

Established in 2006, Abu Dhabi Ports’ core objective is to facilitate the diversification of the economy by stimulating trade and development. This is done by delivering high quality maritime services, supporting partners’ infrastructure projects and setting up new companies and joint ventures in the ports and logistics sectors.

Phase One of Khalifa Port has a capacity of 2.5 million teu and 12 million tonnes of general cargo.