• Future Pipe Industries Leverages Destination’s Location and Infrastructure to Strengthen Presence in the Middle East
• New 176,720 Sq Meter Unit to Supply Fiberglass Pipes and Fittings to Oil and Gas, Water and Industrial Sectors

Dubai-UAE: 29 June 2015 – Gulf Eternit Industries, a member of Future Pipe Group, the global design and manufacturing leader of anti-corrosive large diameter fiberglass pipe systems, has commissioned a 176,720 sq m manufacturing unit at Dubai Industrial City (DI) for the production of fiberglass pipes and fittings for the oil and gas, water and industrial sectors.

Set to significantly boost Dubai’s manufacturing sector, the facility reiterates Dubai Industrial City’s best-in-class infrastructure and enabling regulations that continue to attract high caliber tenants.

With production capacity of 50,000 tons, translating to 600 kilometers of pipe per year, the new manufacturing unit has been established with investments of about US$45 million. In addition to creating more than 715 employment opportunities, the unit will consolidate Future Pipes’ growing role as a leading supplier of fiberglass pipes and fit-outs to government and private sector companies that serve as lifelines of the UAE economy. Future Pipes’ client portfolio currently comprises prominent entities from across the country such as Dubai Municipality, DEWA, SEWA, FEWA, ADWEA, ADNOC Group of Companies, and Borouge.

Established in Dubai in 1984, Future Pipe Industries Group has evolved from a local manufacturer to a global leader in the large diameter fiberglass pipe industry with factories in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, The Netherlands, Spain and the US. The Group designs, manufactures and supplies fiberglass pipe systems to more than 400 major customers in over 50 countries across the power, oil and gas, petrochemical, infrastructural, municipal, desalination and marine market segments.

Abdulla Belhoul, CEO, Dubai Industrial City, said: “We welcome the Middle East’s leading fiberglass pipe manufacturer to Dubai Industrial City. We look forward to working closely with Gulf Eternit and Future Pipe Industries Group during this next phase of growth.

“Dubai Industrial City is a key enabler in the manufacturing sector that contributes nearly 14% to the nation’s GDP. Our ability to draw mega projects and entities from around the world is rapidly changing the dynamics of the manufacturing landscape in Dubai and the wider region, and companies such as Future Pipes provide the necessary momentum to accelerate this transition.”

Fouad Makhzoumi, Chairman of Future Group, said: “Dubai Industrial City’s strategic location and proximity to Abu Dhabi, Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport influenced our decision to establish our presence at this unique industrial hub. Advanced infrastructure, best-in-class services and reliable transport networks make the destination a preferred hub of choice for manufacturing firms such as ours.

“With the world pipe market demand projected to reach US$130 billion by 2016, Future Pipe Group remains committed to expanding its global footprint throughout the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America and Asia. Our strengthened presence at Dubai Industrial City will particularly help us reinforce Dubai and the UAE as a key manufacturing destination of quality products that are marketed worldwide.”

Dubai Industrial City is currently home to more than 600 companies including Barakat Quality Plus, Al Marai, Patchi Chocolate, BCI Group, Cedars Papers Industrial, Juma Al Majid Group, Unilever, Al Rostamani, Al Futtaim, and Transmid.