Al Bayader International, a leading manufacturer of comprehensive packaging solutions based in Sharjah, has announced the commissioning of its manufacturing facility at Jebel Ali Free Zone.

The launch marks the completion of the latest phase of Al Bayader's $22 million expansion programme which was implemented in three years, said a statement from Al Bayader.

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, it stated.

Comprising three sheet line machines for 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 set up by the 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 noted.

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," he noted.

"A nine-colour in-line printing capability is effectively the icing on the cake when it comes to creativity," he added.-TradeArabia News Service