01 April 2006

Volvo Group Middle East –  a recently-established subsidiary of Volvo Group, a leading provider of commercial transport solutions –  inaugurated last month two newly-built facilities in Dubai at the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ) –  the Regional Parts Distribution Centre (RPDC) and the Regional Competence Development Centre (RCDC).

The new distribution and training facilities will help Volvo Group Middle East to strengthen supplies of spare parts, improve the competence of its retailers and importers, and allow the group’s many divisions to operate from a single address in Dubai.
 “Volvo Group Middle East’s new facilities speak for the success of Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority’s (Jafza) new plans for drawing more Fortune 500 and multinational companies to the free zone's business-friendly environs, and help us to achieve our vision for the development of Dubai as the Middle East’s top destination for investment in industry, trade and commerce,” said Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, vice chairman, Ports and Free Zone Authority.
“We have embarked on an expansion plan under which an additional 216 warehouses are being built on about 40 million sq m of land. This will house the assembly and light manufacturing companies in industries such as electronics, electrical/mechanical equipment, car assembly, primary materials, logistics activities and packaging, food and beverages that we hope to bring into the expanded South Zone,” he added.
Operations have already commenced at the new centres located on Volvo Group Middle East’s 47,500 sq m complex in Jafz.
The RPDC, which occupies 8,000 sq m of land and currently holds 20,000 spare parts –  makes spare parts available to dealers of Volvo Trucks, Mack Trucks, Renault Trucks, Volvo Construction Equipment and Volvo Buses in 17 countries.
The RCDC has been set up to train the importer personnel who in turn will train the company’s local personnel. Competence coaching personnel will also be based at the 1,800 sq m centre, which is equipped with training rooms for vehicles/machines and components and can conduct training sessions for over 100 people on any given day. A well laid-out first floor of the RCDC building will also house the representative offices of the Group divisions –  Volvo Trucks, Volvo Construction Equipment and Volvo Buses.
Jafz accounts for nearly 80 per cent of Dubai’s free zone trade.

• Major projects launched at Palm
• RTA embarks on key road developments
• Business Bay set to steam ahead
• Huntsman shows off HP coatings
• Update
• Volvo ME opens Jebel Ali facilities
• UP awards deal for Ritz Carlton
• Gemaco opens new Haworth showroom
• Dewa invites bids for power plant
• Mott MacDonald to work on Nakheel project
• Two deals inked on $8bn AlSalam City
• Al Liwan Contracting to build Lakeside Residence
• DMC gives nod for quay walls deal
• Phase two of building permit service launched
• Dubai Studio City unveils masterplan

Tags

Bricks & Blocks Carpets & Floor Coverings Project Watch UAE Focus Coatings Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Tenders Loaders Just Out Stained & Decorative Glass Dubai News gulfBID Preview Events Concrete Technology

Gulf Construction is the undisputed leading trade journal for the building and construction industries of Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states. The magazine provides editorial coverage on a wide range of topics which are of interest to industry professionals. In addition, regular features highlight technological developments within specific industry fields. Launched 40 years ago, the magazine has established an enviable reputation as an authoritative, respected journal with unmatched coverage of the Gulf region. Gulf Construction is essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the region’s building and construction industry.