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ASIP, AL QUDRA PLACE ORDER FOR LIGHT BLOCK FACTORY EQUIPMENT

Abu Dhabi.- Ali & Sons is branching out into the manufacture of AAC light weight concrete blocks to tap into an increasing demand from the burgeoning UAE construction industry.

It has formed Spectrum Light Block LLC as a partnership between Ali & Sons Industrial Project (ASIP) and Al Qudra Holding, a trendsetting company established in May 2005 with a capital of AED 550 million.

“This is a logical extension to the range of products and services already provided by Ali & Sons Industrial Project,” says ASIP Managing Director Shamis Al Dhaheri.

“The huge growth in building developments in Dubai is now being mirrored elsewhere in the UAE and, in particular, Abu Dhabi. There is no doubt that the product manufactured by Spectrum Light Block will be in keen demand,” he said.

He welcomed the investment from their joint venture partner, Al Qudra Holding, whose capital was uniquely provided through the subscription of 340 women in the company. “Al Qudra Holding is set to become a leading player in the UAE economy, Mr Al Dhahry said.

Spectrum Light Block is building a brand new factory in the Musaffah industrial area of Abu Dhabi. The factory is expected to be operational by October 2007 and will employ 65 staff.

The company has just signed a contract with one of Europe’s most experienced AAC manufacturers, Hoetten Bricken, to provide state-of-the-art equipment for the Abu Dhabi factory.

The factory will have an annual output of 300,000m3 a year, using raw materials sourced from Oman, Saudi Arabia and Germany. Most of the output will be used for high rise and villa projects.

AAC is now among the most widely used wall building materials in Europe, Asia and America, being a high-quality light-weight, load-bearing and extremely well insulating building material, suitable for all climatic conditions.

Made from 100 per cent mineral product, the concrete blocks are fully recyclable.

ASIP is a 100 per cent subsidiary of Ali & Sons, a major Abu Dhabi conglomerate established by the Al Dhahry family in 1979 to provide quality services to the oil and gas industry. It has since grown to be a highly diversified business covering 10 different sectors and 19 subsidiaries.

Best known for its Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen agencies, Ali & Sons also has interests in contracting, oil and gas, industrial, wholesale, media services, retailing, information technology, merchant banking and real estate.

It also has investments in Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and London. It is a major contributor to the UAE economy and directly employs hundreds of people.