In a move to cater to the growth in demand for processed architectural flat glass products in the UAE and the region, the Dubai-based Select Glass Industries (SGI), a part of the Select Group, set up a state-of-the-art Dh88 million ($24 million) manufacturing facility in Ras Al Khaimah.
The processed glass manufacturing facility, being set up at the RAK Industrial Zone at Al Jazeera Al Hamra, was to go onstream last month, with an annual capacity of 30,000 tonnes a year and employee strength of 180. Once operational, it will produce processed flat glass products for both external and internal glass and glazing applications for regional real estate and industrial sectors.
Unveiling details of the new facility, Keith Nethercott, managing director, SGI, said: “The recent unprecedented growth in the regional real estate and industrial sectors has created a staggering demand for high-performing and technologically superior varieties of glass. The current supply is unable to meet demand leaving a shortfall of an estimated 650,000 tonnes.”
“Even prior to the commencement of production we have been inundated with inquiries and have pre-launch order bookings for the next 18 months, a significant indicator of the surging demand scenario for processed glass products,” he said.
Nethercott said the new facility will add value to the rapidly growing manufacturing sector in the UAE.
The facility will manufacture a range of flat glass products including standard and high performance insulated glass units, spandrel panels, tempered laminated safety glass for balustrades, canopies, balconies, glass doors, shop fronts, decorative wall cladding and glass furniture to name a few.
“With an experienced work force, SGI brings to the region over 50 years of industry knowledge, technological know-how and experience in glass-manufacturing. With the latest and most sophisticated machinery in the region, SGI has the ability to produce bespoke products with factory finish in the shortest span of time,” Nethercott said.
SGI will pioneer the production of 'Select Enviro Glass' - the new low maintenance, self cleaning environment-friendly glazing concept especially designed for the GCC climate. ‘Select Kolor Glass’ and ‘Select Night Vision Glass’ are the other unique products that are generating substantial interest in the UAE real estate industry.
“Considering the extra ordinary pre-launch response, plans are already under way to double SGI production capacity by the second half of 2007. With billions of dollars worth of projects currently coming up in the UAE and the region, we see tremendous potential for expanding our business and making a valuable contribution to the already booming economy of UAE,” chairman Dubai Civil Engineering and partner SGI, Nashat Sahawneh said.
