Advanced Armour Engineering (AAE), a British owned and managed steel fabrication company based in the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) has announced new expansion plans with investment exceeding AED20 million ($5.4 million).
The company, which specialises in precision mechanical welding, precision cut and cold formed components, said it rented an additional land covering 19,500 sq ft, taking its total area to 67,500 sq ft.
The lease agreement has been signed recently at the free zone’s headquarters by Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director of Sharjah Airport International Free Zone, and Simon Hurst, General Manager of Advanced Armour Engineering in the presence of senior officials from both entities.
Under the agreement, the British company, which has been operating in the free zone since 2016, will expand its factory and build modern facilities to enhance its production capacity and meet the growing demand for its products in the local and regional markets.
From prototype design to series production and final delivery, AAE provides its expertise to assist its clients during the development of complex projects involving specialized materials using special grade steels such as High Strength and Armour plate.
AAE’s move is the latest in a series of expansion plans announced by SAIF Zone-based companies, which reflects the free zone’s role and contribution to achieving the objectives of “Operation 300bn", a national strategy for industry and advanced technology.
Leading industrial hub
Al Mazrouei said: “AAE’s decision to expand was a step in the right direction and reflects SAIF Zone’s excellence in developing infrastructure suitable for the iron and steel sector, which being is paid special attention as we consider it a basic pillar in the process of economic development.
“The decision comes at a time when the UAE and Sharjah in particular, are witnessing mega construction projects, something which resulted in a growing demand for iron and steel products to implement vital projects, such as Expo 2020 Dubai, not to mention the government spending on infrastructure projects.”
Integrated facilities
Simon Hurst said: “AAE’s expansion decision has been taken following the resounding success that we achieved in Sharjah after we based our MENA operations in SAIF Zone.
In addition to its unique privileges, services and advantages, SAIF Zone provides state-of-the-art infrastructure, multiple sized warehouses, lands, offices, storage services, transportation management, manufacturing facilities and other integrated facilities that all were the reason behind our success and above all, Sharjah enjoys a strategic location between East and West”.
Hurst emphasized that AAE made its mind to expand in the free zone following the growing demand for the services we provide in the defence and industry sectors, including steel processing of laser cutting, bending, welding & painting of blast and ballistic steel components for armoured vehicle manufacturers, adding that the company has developed skills and established a multitude of export clients in over 30 countries in six continents for its services. – TradeArabia News Service
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