Dubai: Gulf Extrusions, a leading UAE-based manufacturer of extruded aluminium products, supplies key parts to top range of cars such as Jaguar and Range Rover and has 30 per cent of the market shares, Modar Al Mekdad, General Manager, Gulf Extrusions, told Gulf News on the sidelines of Dubai Aluminium Middle East, the leading exhibition for aluminium products, technologies and investments in the Middle East.
“Gulf Extrusions manufactures a complete car roof top for Jaguar and Range Rover in the UAE, in addition to other vehicles’ parts representing 30 per cent of market share,” he said.
“This is a vital proof of the high standard of the aluminium industry in the UAE, in addition to the adoption of latest technology and advanced infrastructure.”
During the Aluminium Middle East, Gulf Extrusion featured its latest products demonstrating high precision profiles, trailer profiles and helidecks (landing deck for helicopters on ships and oil platforms) to be used inside the Adnoc fields in Abu Dhabi.
Al Mekdad remarked that they were looking for further contracts with Nissan and Honda to manufacture aluminium automotive products for a range of vehicles.
Gulf Extrusion produces aluminium extruded profiles ranging from architectural sections to components for air-conditioning grills, furniture, marine applications, transportation, automotive, and customised products. It also extrudes products for several European Saeed Al Tayer, CEO and Managing Director of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, and Vice Chairman of Dubal, inaugurated Aluminium Middle East 2013.
The three-day exhibition saw participation by 162 exhibitors from at least 25 countries and more than 3,500 trade visitors from over 70 countries.
Al Mekdad said that one-third of aluminium production worldwide is used in the vehicle industry.
“Aluminium industry in the UAE is more focused on petrochemical and construction,” he said.
“In the UAE, 50 per cent of production go to the construction sector while it is represents 90 per cent in the Gulf region.”
Need for expansion, diversification
Despite being the industry’s leading player, he remarked that the aluminium downstream industry in the UAE should expand further.
“There should be diversification in this industry,” he said.
Gulf Extrusions market share represent 45 per cent of the UAE market at a value of Dh300 million with the existing of 14 main industry players.
Gulf Extrusions has been operating for the last 37 years, giving it a distinct edge in the Middle East and North Africa market and further expansion is taking place in India and Qatar.
“The Aluminium industry in the UAE is expected to represent five per cent of world production in 2015, while the GCC will produce 15 per cent overall,” said Al Mekdad.
“The event will also be an opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship with our customers in the Mena region and Europe, while also giving us a chance to explore the potential of markets across the region and worldwide,” he added.
Mohammed Bader-Eddin, Show Director of Aluminium Middle East 2013, said: “This edition of Aluminium Middle East has been highly anticipated, especially since the GCC region’s aluminium sector has come under the global spotlight, given its growing international stature.
