FINE, the market leader in the Middle East’s hygienic paper industry and part of the Nuqul Group, has planned strategic investments in the latest production technologies and the implementation of an improved distribution model.

The company, which aims to upgrade current machinery with newer equipment that can help improve efficiencies and cut waste, will be appropriating 80 per cent of its investment portfolio to increase production output and establish more distribution points across the region.

During 2009, the company focused on improving manufacturing efficiencies that have led to a 15 per cent increase in output per unit and a significant decrease in manufacturing costs per unit of output.

Distribution wise, the implementation of better route schedules and increased invoices per vehicle have resulted in newer distribution areas across the region. The fall in oil prices earlier this year has also helped reduce the cost of distribution.

“We believe that our efforts to further improve efficiencies and reduce waste will result in higher output and lower product cost, which in turn will help us reaffirm our market leading position in the region and underline our commitment to introduce improved practices in product innovation and quality,” stated Peter Janho, chief area officer for the Arabian Peninsula and Iran, FINE.

Nuqul Group has also revealed plans to invest in a new warehousing facility for FINE in the Northern Emirates to increase warehousing capacity and improve distribution reach in the area.

“While on the one hand we are looking to boost our warehousing facilities in the UAE, on the other, we are studying the option of outsourcing distribution to the lower trade market. Forging partnerships with experienced distributors in this market segment will help us reach our goals faster and help cut costs efficiently,” Janho concluded.

The FINE stable of products includes facial tissues, toilet paper, baby diapers, wet wipes, refreshing towels, adult briefs, jumbo rolls, kitchen towels and sanitary pads.

FINE has a manufacturing unit at the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai that is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, and employs around 300 highly skilled staff.

Currently FINE has an established presence in most of the Middle East countries including Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the UAE.-TradeArabia News Service