FUJAIRAH Building Industries (FBI), which this year marks 35 years of service to the construction industry, is aiming to be a one-stop shop for all building materials and an international player that is geared towards clean technology.

The Fujairah-based group has come a long way since its establishment as a small block factory. Over the years, it has grown into a multi-products building materials specialist producing blocks, pavers, terrazzo and marble tiles, kerbstone, ceramic tiles, and stone fibre and crusher products.

Since its inception, FBI’s goal has been to be an international player as well as set up additional industries in line with UAE’s vision for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Keeping pace with the rapid developments in the region, the company has been spearheading its growth plans through all its subsidiaries – Fujairah Rockwool Factory (FRF), Emirates Ceramic Factory (ECF), Fujairah Concrete Products (FCP), Fujairah Marbles and Tile Factory (FMTF) and Fujairah National Quarry (FNQ).

“Our mission is to support the UAE’s vision to save energy and protect the environment, and insulation plays a major role in saving energy,” says Mohamad bin Majed Al Aleeli, chairman of FBI.

“Most of our products are from natural materials. We want to be a player in clean energy and a green environment company. In fact, we are negotiating with a company to provide equipment to extract carbon monoxide from the air and utilise and recycle that to produce energy for our machinery. Although whatever carbon monoxide expelled into the air now is within international limits, we want to utilise that heat to produce electricity and power for our kiln, thus also keeping carbon monoxide that goes into the air well below international standards.

“And of course, our bigger vision is to be a diversified private industry within the UAE,” he adds.

FBI’s focus has always been on building materials, with its products having been used across the UAE. Every single building in Fujairah and 20 per cent of all buildings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have something from FBI, Al Aleeli claims.

“We want to be seen as a one-stop shop for all building materials,” comments Obaid Alkendi, CEO of FBI.

The company continues to invest in all its factories to bring in new technologies and introduce new products with the aim of increasing its market share.

Al Aleeli and Alkendi (right) ... men of vision.

To date, Dh180 million ($49 million) has been invested in FRF alone and with new expansions under way to further increase capacity, it is expected to go up to Dh240 million ($65.3 million). FBI has invested Dh40 million ($10.9 million) in its block factory and Dh60 million ($16.3 million) in its new marble factory.

Commenting on some of the company’s its recent achievements, Alkendi says: “FRF was recently named ‘Global Insulation Plant of the Year’ at the eighth Global Insulation Conference and Exhibition (held in Aachen, Germany, in September).”

The award is a culmination of years of efforts exerted by the company to establish itself as a key player in the insulation market, he adds.

Early days

FBI was launched in 1978 to produce blocks. By 1982, the company had expanded from one million to 10 million blocks per year. Today, it has four lines producing 30 million blocks, 1.5 million sq m of interlock and about 500 to 600 linear m of curbstones.

By 2007, following acquisitions, there were five companies under the FBI umbrella in which it has been investing to increase capacities and add new products.

ECF was one of the first ceramics factories in the region when it was established in 1982 with a single line to produce floor and wall tiles in small size. In the late ’80s, another line was added to produce larger size tiles.

While the company intends to set up a new factory for producing ceramic and porcelain, these plans are currently on hold until it secures fuel. Alkendi elaborates: “The ceramic factory mainly depends on LPG, as natural gas is not available in this area. When prices of oil/diesel went up, our production costs went up sharply as LPG accounts for nearly 65 per cent of the production costs.

“Our plans for a new factory for producing ceramic and porcelain are currently on hold until we are sure to get natural gas or LNG. The new facility may not necessarily be in Fujairah, it could be in Abu Dhabi where natural gas is available.”

Meanwhile, at its existing plant, ECF has incorporated printing technology for larger and better designs in four to five colours.

Launched in 1978 with one line, Fujairah Marble and Tiles factory in 2008 added state-of-the-art machines, slab polishing machines, and CNC (computerised numerical control) machines. It claims to be among the few companies approved by the UAE Ministry of Public Works Department for the manufacture of terrazzo tiles and allied products, and for the supply and installation of natural stone and marble products.

The company has three machines to produce single and double-layer terrazzo tiles.