Dubai: A Dubai-based company has started manufacturing large trailers and oil tankers that will help reduce the UAE’s dependence on imported trailers and tankers, Gulf News has learnt.

Dubai-based diversified conglomerate Shaikha Mouza Al Maktoum (SMOSAM) Group is also planning to invest Dh100 million in expanding the group’ portfolio this year, a top official said.

“We have recently ventured into manufacturing trailers and oil tankers to be hooked to commercial vehicles,” S.M. Sharif, Chairman of the group, told Gulf News. “We currently have two manufacturing facilities spread across 130,000 square feet of space at Ras Al Khor Area of Dubai to develop oil tankers and commercial trailers.

The company, which has 2,800 people on payroll, generates about $200 million (Dh730 million) annual turn over from all the seven verticals. “Our annual turnover is expected to exceed Dh1 billion, this year as the UAE economy expands following a four-year slowdown,” he says.

Nearly a hundred workers currently are engaged in the trailer and tanker development project. Their number will increase once the business grows.

Different types of trailers, freezers and tankers dominate cross-border trade across the GCC are major contributors in the region’s growing economies. A large number of these trailers and tankers are currently being built in the GCC countries. Transport and logistics form a major economic sector of the UAE and contribute to its gross domestic project.

The company, which has interests in construction, transport, logistics, tourism, oil trade, clearing and forwarding and advertisement industries, is also planning to develop a number of hotels in the UAE, to expand its tourism portfolio in addition to destination management.

“We are looking at a number of suitable plots of land to develop our own hotels,” Sharif said. ‘Besides, we are also looking at acquiring hotels in Dubai with the right location and price.”

It currently has operations across Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, the UAE, African continent and Goa, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Cochin in India.

The company has recently secured exclusive rights to market and distribute a new advertising technology that will change the face of outdoor advertisement. Addtech, a leader in advertising technology, has recently launched a cutting-edge Electroluminescent Technology (EL), Video Booklets and Augmented Reality Solutions, for the first time to the UAE.

Addtech has partnered with patent holders of these technologies from US, with manufacturing facilities in China to produce these panels.

After conducting extensive research on the Middle East Advertising Business, Addtech spotted a gap in the GCC market and launched these exciting products Innovative EL Panels with animated posters, high-tech EL lighting for events and other illumination solutions, and Augmented Reality.

“EL is a paper-thin, flexible, energy efficient, light source,” said Umakant Rath, Managing Partner and CEO of Addtech. “Any artwork can be lit up and animated to client specifications, and panels can be customised to illuminate in any size, shape, colour or sequence. What’s more, EL manages to maintain a perfectly visible image when lit anytime, anyplace,” he added.

This specialised and high tech, advertising and signage solution offers a unique communication platform for brand owners and marketers who are looking for an edge to their promotions efforts.