Through an initial 30-year agreement, Morgan is making an initial investment of AED 50 million (around £8.25 million) in a facility of more than 400,000 sq ft (37,000 m2) within the base metals cluster in the Khalifa Industrial Zone, Abu Dhabi (Kizad) – one of the largest industrial zones in the world.
The facility, which is expected to commence operations in 2015, will focus on the manufacture of products for use in sectors ranging from energy and transportation to petrochemicals and fire protection.
Morgan has had a presence in the region since 2001 when it established a sales office in the UAE to service customers in the Middle East and North Africa. The decision to create a dedicated local facility follows significant growth in demand for its products, especially in the areas of thermal insulation, energy saving, acoustic barriers and fire protection, many of which are produced to very high tolerances and are designed for use in extreme environments.
Engineer Khaled Salmeen, CEO of Kizad, said: "We are delighted to welcome a further high-profile international investor to our industrial zone. With its extensive product range that will cater to a vast number of industries in Kizad and the wider GCC region, Morgan Advanced Materials will benefit from our integrated vertical clustering, economies of proximity, and unparalleled market access through our flagship deepwater Khalifa Port."
Ian Robb, Regional President for Morgan Advanced Materials, added: "The Middle East is a very attractive marketplace for us. Growth in the economy is driving demand from industries such as aluminium, petrochemicals and energy, where our products and services provide differentiated solutions. With a pro-business environment, low utility costs, and excellent multimodal transportation network, Kizad offers the perfect framework to further develop and grow our business."
