Gulf Construction Online - Gulf Extrusions mulls expansion

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Al Mekdad ... expansion plans.

Gulf Extrusions mulls expansion

01 April 2008

Gulf Extrusions, one of the largest aluminium extrusion plants in the Gulf, has recently launched the construction of a new plant in Qatar, which will help it double production to 100,000 tonnes within the next six years.

“We have already secured the construction permit for the new plant and will award the construction package in June,” said Modar Al Mekdad, general manager, Gulf Extrusions.
The expansion initiative will cater to a significant increase in demand for aluminium extrusions in the Middle East, which is expected to surge from 400,000 tonnes in 2007 to an average of 450,000 tonnes starting this year.
The $32 million Phase One of the new facility will be located near the Qatalum aluminium smelter in Mesaieed. The Qatar plant is also Gulf Extrusions’ first outside Jebel Ali and is expected to be operational by mid-2009.
“The new facility has been strategically located to cater to high-growth markets, particularly Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia,” said Al Mekdad.
Qatar’s United Development Company has been assigned as the consultant of the project.
The second phase of the project will involve the construction of another 10,000-tonne facility.
Gulf Extrusions, which is part of the Al Ghurair Group of Companies, produces profiles ranging from architectural sections to components for household items, air-conditioner grills and customised products.
The company also extrudes products of several European suppliers and companies under agreement. Nearly 70 per cent of Gulf Extrusions’ production is supplied to the domestic market to support the enormous construction projects in the UAE. The rest is exported to South East Asia, other GCC countries, Europe and Canada.