UAE based industrial group continues to toughen its quality assurance system

Dubai, UAE, 29 January 2011:  Al Bayader International - the innovative Middle East-based manufacturer of comprehensive food packaging solutions - has achieved a major new quality landmark, having been granted Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Certification, the premier system for ensuring food and beverage safety.

Bureau Veritas, one of the foremost auditing agencies in the world, has certified the company across all its manufacturing and logistics centres in the UAE, Oman and Qatar.

CEO, Nidal Haddad, says that Al Bayader's HACCP certification represents an important step in the company's commitment to constantly deliver high quality disposable food packaging solutions for the benefit of customers.

"We believe that the certification is key to achieving the highest levels of operational excellence, safety assurance, customer satisfaction and trust," he said. "Applicable to the manufacture and supply of food packaging and disposables, HACCP Certification is awarded to companies that complete extensive preparations and implement a comprehensive food safety programme."

The recognition is the result of Al Bayader's on-going strategy to continuously raise the benchmark for quality and safety of F&B packaging which has been part of the company's heritage and complements several other initiatives since the company's inception which include regular internal audits. 

"Thousands of people, especially children, are hospitalized around the world for problems related to the consumption of contaminated food products," said Haddad. "The importance of traceability and food safety in the food supply chain cannot be over stated. Putting the customer first is not just a clichéd statement but a tangible outcome of the entire quality process. We have been in the business for 20 years now and are very proud of what we have been able to accomplish when it comes to manufacturing and supplying the highest quality products that now also conform to the highest safety standards."

Alaa Al Ashoush, Al Bayader's Quality & Hygiene Manager, who served as the HACCP project manager said that there was close liaison with local authorities like food control departments in municipalities and Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology.

"Every single process and system within the organisation was examined to ensure that each criterion was met with stringent audits.  Without the passion the team displayed during the entire process, this certification would not have been possible," remarked Al Ashoush.

Lead auditor for Bureau Veritas, Nagesh Bangalore said that the process of certifying Al Bayader was unique. "It is satisfying to know that there are companies like Al Bayader that are so focused on quality and food safety systems. Taking into account the complicated nature of the audit, encompassing multiple sites with a diverse scope of activities, having a team in place purely for ensuring the smooth scheduling between the two companies was extremely helpful.

"So far we have a seen a perfect match between the implementation of HACCP criterion as per the CODEX requirements and the policies of the company. The company ranks high for both existing and newer facilities."

Al Bayader International recently completed the latest phase of its three-year, US$ 22 million, expansion programme, with the commissioning of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone in addition to a logistics facility that was set up last year. This is the third manufacturing facility to be established by the company after Qatar and Sharjah.

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About Al Bayader International:
Al Bayader International has established itself as an innovative Middle East-based manufacturer of comprehensive packaging solutions delivering added value to the global food and beverage industries.

Established in the United Arab Emirates in 1990, the company today has over 300 business partners across the globe. It boasts a catalogue of more than 1000 innovative packaging and disposable solutions, and leads several GCC markets with a substantial market share.

Al Bayader has a product for every need and occasion - from tableware to containers including boxes, trays and platters, baking moulds and sheets to bags for food wrapping, hygiene and protection and decoration accessories. These products are produced in a range of materials including paper, aluminium and microwaveable plastic.

The company's head office was established in Sharjah initially comprising an 8000 sq metre distribution centre and extensive showroom. In 2000, three additional warehouses were added covering some 4000 sq metres.

The first branch office was established in Abu Dhabi in 2001, and Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah commenced operations in 2002. The first regional branch outside the UAE was established in Doha - Qatar in 2003 while Muscat - Oman was opened in 2005.

The Jebel Ali logistics and supply chain facility opened in 2008 while the manufacturing plant opened in 2010, fully-equipped with state-of-the-art machines and production lines using the latest technology available in the plastics industry. Its Syria office will be opened also this year at one of the most prestigious office and commercial districts in the capital Damascus.

Among a series of firsts, the company pioneered the introduction of a complete retail line to the market; was first to tailor-make products according to clients' needs in the region; first to launch a comprehensive specialised catalogue in the region and the first to have a presence at key international industry events.

Two decades on, Al Bayader's local market knowledge and understanding of the business challenges faced by its diverse range of customers is unrivalled. Whether it may be the simplest issue of wrapping film to a more complex challenge of meeting the demand for environmentally friendly products, Al Bayader develops creative, practical and functional products for its customers and consumers.

In the Hypermarkets segment, Al Bayader has emerged as the clear market leader, with an impressive 90 per cent market share in UAE, Qatar and Oman, and a 50 per cent market share in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain. It also maintains a healthy portion of the market in the remaining Arab countries with a 15-20 per cent market share.

In the Hospitality & Catering segment, Al Bayader is the preferred supplier for a wide range of leading hotel and restaurant chains as well as franchise sectors. It is also a supplier to many leading international and regional airlines, including British Airways, Emirates, Air Arabia and Etihad.

On the consumer front, with families becoming more cost and convenience conscious, demand for the FUN® range of disposable containers has experienced healthy growth year-on-year.

In addition to the fast growing hypermarket and supermarket sectors, are new consumer markets that are fuelling Al Bayader's growth such as petrol service stations and convenience stores.

For further inquiries, please contact:
Action UAE
Gladson Ronad
Mob: +971 50 4533479
Tel: +971 4 390 2961
Email: gladson.r@actionprgroup.com

© Press Release 2011