Gulf Construction Online - NGI buoyant despite downturn in market

Dubai Review

NGI’s glass processing facility ... modern.

NGI buoyant despite downturn in market

01 April 2009

NATIONAL Glass Industry (NGI), which began commercial operation only in the last quarter of 2008, is planning for further expansion, being optimistic of a revival in the market by the end of this year.

The UAE-based premium glass processor, which supplies architectural interiors with value-added glass products in the region, is in a class of its own when it comes to technology.
It is one of the few such facilities in the region to have a fully-integrated and predominantly automated line with machinery from Lisec, Saint Gobain and other reputable manufacturers. These include a tempering furnace from Saint Gobain to process and temper Super low-E glass of 0.02 emissivity; a Lisec insulated glazing (IG) line sealing robot equipped with Schuco spacer sealing capability; a Lisec jumbo automatic cutting machine; a Lisec auto glass loading system, to handle highly sensitive and low-E glasses. In addition, the processing and production management is through state-of-the-art Lisec software, which ensures quality and timely delivery.
“The company has several technical ‘firsts in the region’, which gives it a definite edge to become a reliable glass processing supplier. We wish to stand out as the region’s most professionally-managed, technology-oriented and service-minded glass solution provider,” says Amjad Hussain, CEO and managing director of NGI.
Although a newcomer in the sector, NGI is already supplying facade glass for a tower in Dubai’s Business Bay, and other medium and large-scale projects in the region. In addition, it has supplied glass for the interior works and shower cubicles for projects in Dubai and Sharjah; and lamination and double glazing for Bahrain City Centre.
However, with the glass industry being linked to the construction industry it hasn’t been spared from the impact of the global recession. Subrato Saha, director, is quick to point out that it is a temporary lull phase for construction activity in Dubai.
“One can expect things to improve the third quarter as you cannot discount the great infrastructure and the business-friendly culture of Dubai. Besides overall, the GCC is still growing at a steady pace, fuelled by revenues from oil and gas (including downstream),” Saha says.
“The silver lining for us is that since glass/glazing comes as the final stage of building completion, there is enough demand for our products and services, especially for projects, which started over a year back,” he adds.
As for NGI’s future plans, the company is evaluating options for a new lamination line and looking at offering higher value-added design/creative services for glass used in interiors as well as recycling of broken glass into useful products.
National Glass Industry was registered in Ras Al Khaimah in May 2007 as a limited liability company. It set up its production and administrative facilities at Rakia Industrial Park, Ras Al Khaimah, and went into full-fledged operation in October last year. The company also has sales offices in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
The state-of-the-art glass processing factory has a designed tempering capability of approximately 700,000 to 750,000 sq m per year, while its double glazing capacity is between 800 and 1,000 sq m on an eight-hour shift. The company offers a range of products including single and double glass units, stained glass, laminate glass, shower cubicles, showroom and façade glass, and acoustic glass.
NGI employs around 55 people and is targeting a turnover of around $12 million in its first year of operation, with a 30 per cent annual growth.