'Made in the UAE' tOWERPAC range to redefine global conventional methods of food packaging

Dubai, UAE, 18th February 2013: Al Bayader International - the leading UAE-based food packaging specialist - launched a new line of products especially conceived for the UAE and the wider Middle East, and directly catering to the needs of the region's US$20 billion F&B industry - from hotel chains and niche restaurants to gourmet catering houses and international airlines.

The new production line for the manufacture of the tOWERPAC range of containers was inaugurated by Ibrahim Al Janahi, Chief Commercial Officer, Economic Zones World - the holding company of Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA). Also present were other dignitaries and media personalities.

Al Janahi said: "We welcome manufacturers like Al Bayader International who not only invest with the long-term in view but also cater to local market needs. We at JAFZA are passionate about locally based companies differentiating themselves and in association the region, by developing market leading products that cater to not only local needs but the demands of the wider global economy as well. We are all aware of the importance of the manufacturing sector to the UAE economy in the long run and we greatly appreciate the efforts of companies such as Al Bayader International."

Designed to interlock via an ingenious screw mechanism, tOWERPAC is also available in a retail shelf friendly flat bottom version. The containers range in size from 1oz to 24oz and are the perfect food packaging solution for a growing F&B industry.

Nidal Haddad, Group CEO, Al Bayader International said: "We have a responsibility towards our customers to help their business grow and thrive in a challenging market. If we have to reinvent products and processes to make it happen for them, then that's what we'll do."

The tOWERPAC range required an AED 15 million investment into a state-of-the-art production line at Al Bayader International's manufacturing facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone. The investment is part of an AED 80 million outlay aimed at addressing the market's fast-paced growth.

"This investment will help accommodate the estimated demand for this new product family," explained Haddad. "Our overall and continuing investment addresses the economic growth forecast for the region, which according to recent market research from Business Monitor International, is set to top AED 27.5 billion - for the Mass Grocery Retail Sector - by 2015 or 73.8% of the overall food and drink market which itself is expected to grow by 5.3%, while the food packaging industry is expected to grow by double digits.

"The conceptualisation, design and production of the tOWERPAC range necessitated the collaboration of leading experts and companies from all over the world and the integration of market and customer feedback. From leading technical consultants and business analysts to established manufacturing and mold-making companies, we strongly believe that the tOWERPAC range will result in huge savings on inventory costs, more efficient utilization of shelf space and easy access to products for retailers."

With UAE's retail sales expected to touch AED 151 billion by 2015, the UAE's mass grocery retail (MGR) sector is one of the Gulf region's largest by value, accounting for 69.2 per cent of the total food and drink market. Food sales in the UAE are expected to increase by 36.1 per cent to AED 38.3 billion by 2015.*

Haddad said: "In the last 10 years, we have significantly pushed substantial investments in industrial, logistics and marketing strategies. We have consciously pursued an industrial strategy that embraces in-house design, research and development and manufacturing with the aim of achieving 85-90 percent self-sufficiency."

Al Janahi commended Al Bayader on their strategic approach towards manufacturing for local markets.

He said: "We are delighted to be a part of Al Bayader's remarkable growth in the region. It is good to see a UAE company differentiating itself by developing market leading products. The new manufacturing line reflects Al Bayader's matured business outlook and capability to respond to market dynamics ahead of time. I am sure the factory in JAFZA will enable them to meet rapidly growing market demand for packaging products in the region. As a business facilitator I assure them of our full support in all their ventures and wish them great success ahead."  

*Data from Business Monitor International

More about tOWERPAC:
The tOWERPAC range of containers from Al Bayader International is the culmination of over 3 years of research and development and is a marvel of food packaging design and innovation. Designed to interlock via an ingenious screw mechanism, but also available in a retail shelf friendly flat bottom version, the containers range in size from 1oz to 24oz and are the perfect food packaging solution for a growing F&B industry. Available either in Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or Polypropylene (PP), in clear or black visages and completely brand-able up to 9 colors, the product range is fully customizable to the needs of the consumer - making it one of the most versatile product ranges in the market today.

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 and Arab countries markets with a substantial market share.

Al Bayader has a product for every need and occasion - from disposable tableware to containers including clear plastic boxes, clear cups & lids,  foam trays, cups and platters, Aluminium foil rolls & plates ,  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 plastic, foam, aluminium, wood and paper.

With Al Bayader's products and services meeting internationally recognised quality assurance standards, the HACCP certification for Al Bayader Group was obtained at the end of 2010 which boosted the business.

The company's head office was established in Sharjah while 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 23000 sq metres 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 producing and printing technologies available in the plastics industry. Its Syria office opened in March 2011.

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.

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 Emirates, Air Lanka, 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, coffee shops and cinemas.

For more information please contact:
Action UAE
Gladson Ronad,
Mob: +971 55 1980881
Email: gladson.r@actionprgroup.com

© Press Release 2013