FINE to open expanded paper facility in Jebel Ali this year

FINE Hygienic Paper, the UAE-based manufacturer of tissue and personal care products, will open its expanded manufacturing and office facility in Jebel Ali by the end of this year.

The new facility is being set up on a 58,542 square metre plot, which is nearly 400 per cent bigger than its current location.

Once operational, it is expected to result in an immediate 25 per cent increase in conversion of tissue paper and other hygienic paper products. The company has projected a rise in revenue of nearly 10 to 12 per cent by the end of this year, primarily due to the increased capacities coming in place.

The expanded operations will enable FINE to meet the rising demand for hygienic paper products across the GCC, except in Saudi Arabia where the company already has several factories.

It will also help pursue its expansion plans for the Subcontinent and East Africa, as well as other export markets over the next decade. The Jebel Ali business unit will conduct manufacturing, warehousing and administrative activities.

"FINE Hygienic Paper is currently the market leader in the paper tissue segment in the family and away-from-home sector. Our current share in the facial tissue market in the UAE stands at 27 per cent," said Peter Janho, general manager.

"The facial tissue market in the UAE is dominated by two or three key players although several other tissue paper converters also operate in an increasingly competitive market.

"We recently implemented a cutting-edge Oracle-based ERP system for financials and manufacturing, to help streamline our operations and increase overall efficiency.

"We will also be setting up an extensive Research and Development facility to introduce new and innovative products to boost our market share."