Al Bayader International said it has completed latest phase of the company's $22 million expansion programme with the commissioning of a manufacturing unit in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ) logistics facility.

Headquartered in Sharjah, Al Bayader International is a leading manufacturer of comprehensive packaging solutions in the region.

Already one of the most modern logistics setups in the packaging industry, the 23,000 sq m building – opened in 2008 - now includes a world-class plastic manufacturing facility capable of producing up to 8000 tons of plastic disposable products per year, said a company statement.

Comprising three advanced sheet line machines for the production of a wide range of disposable products, including plastic cups, hinged lids, pastry containers and deli containers, this is the third manufacturing facility to be established by the Sharjah-headquartered company after Qatar and Sharjah.

“We now produce 75 per cent of our overall offering which takes us a major step closer to self-sufficiency,” said chief executive officer, Nidal Haddad.

'By investing in the most modern manufacturing equipment available, supported by highly skilled manpower, we are able to meet ever growing market demands – not only for stock items, but more importantly for custom-designed products - our fastest growing sector,' he added.

Haddad pointed out that in the fast moving consumer world of retailing and food and beverage, Al Bayader was increasingly being asked to custom-design and produce all manner of disposable cups and containers for leading brands and outlets such as Paul’s, Carrefour, Panda, Le Marche and Emirates Flight catering.

“We are now able to better control inventories – a large cost for us – and produce the best designed, engineered and highly innovative products, a competence which sets us apart from our competitors.  A nine-colour in-line printing capability is effectively the icing on the cake when it comes to creativity,” he added.

The facility’s logistics element has delivered a rapid return on investment since its inception just over two years ago, Haddad said.

Nine-metre high floor-to-ceiling racking units occupying two thirds of floor space, act as the nerve centre of operations, accommodating 27,500 cu m containers worth of cargo, plus a loading/offloading area which can simultaneously handle up to 12 containers.

“Efficiencies are achieved through significant investments in new material handling equipment and warehouse management software that were developed by industry-leading suppliers,” Haddad explained.

“The drive-In pallet rack system, for example, complements an existing Selective Pallet Rack system maximising the floor space available for use. This enables the hub to dynamically handle the company’s high density storage requirements and leverage its logistics capabilities,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service