GMC to expand production and launch new products

GMC has big expansion plans for its operations at Jebel Ali. Photo: Getty.

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Gulf Metal Craft (GMC), the sheet metal manufacturer, aims to boost production by 75% and launch new products through an expansion of factory in Jebel Ali, Dubai.

The plan includes the construction of new buildings and the purchase of new machinery and equipments, the company, part of private equity firm Masharie within Dubai Investments, stated yesterday.

“Since past two years, we have been focusing on overseas opportunities, and having built a strong presence in markets such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Iraq, Sudan and Jordan, we are confident of the growth prospects for GMC in the export markets,” Basem Abu Shamleh, general manager of Gulf Metal Craft said. “The expansion opens the door for GMC to supply a whole range of sheet metal products and consolidate its position as a preferred supplier in the export markets.”

He

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added that the company expects the expansion to be completed by 2011 and is looking forward to approvals for the new buildings from the authorities.

The new machinery will include a state-of-the-art powder coating line, a gasket robot machine and bending machines.

GMC primarily makes standard range and custom design cabinets in electro galvanized steel, aluminium and stainless steel. The company’s product range includes electrical distribution boards, instrument cabinets, package substation housing, and form 4 enclosures, among others.

GMC has provided electrical enclosures for several major projects in the UAE including DEWA substations, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, and the Al Raha Beach Resort. It has also supplied architectural stainless steel for projects such as the Dubai International Airport and Burj Al Arab.

Three years ago the company provided electrical cabinet panels for the Maritime City, Mirdiff Villas, Road Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Investments Park (DIP), in a move that reflects GMC's growing reputation and strengthened presence in the market.

Emirates Steel, another UAE steel product manufacturer, is also expanding its facilities and capacity on the back of a 30% increase in sales volume, according to the company. Last week CW reported that the company signed an AED4.04 billion, seven-year project financing agreement with a consortium of seven conventional banks and two Islamic finance banks for the second phase of its plant expansion.

The second phase is expected to be completed by mid 2012 and will allow the plant to produce 3 million tonnes per annum at full capacity.
 

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