200 Tonne Daily Capacity, Eco-Friendly Processing Unit to Cater to Increasing GCC Demand
Dubai-UAE: 15 February, 2012 - Barakat Quality Plus, a member of the Barakat Group of Companies and a leading manufacturer of fresh fruit and vegetable products that are 100 per cent natural and preservative-free, has commissioned its newest plant in the 'Food & Beverage Zone' at Dubai Industrial City (DI), the region's leading manufacturing and logistics destination and a member of TECOM Investments.
The 200,000 square feet production facility constitutes the second phase of expansion for Barakat Quality Plus. The unit has a daily processing capacity of 200 tonnes of fresh sanitized vegetable produce, including peeled fresh potato, onion, carrot in bulk and vegetable crudités, as well as leafy greens and mixed salads.
In addition to the new plant, Barakat has also leased labour accommodation at Dubai Industrial City for its 150-strong staff associated with the production unit.
The new facility complements the company's first unit at the Jebel Ali Industrial Area, which has a daily processing capacity of 70 tonnes of fresh fruits for sugar-free juices, as well as cut fruits and smoothies.
Abdullah Belhoul, Managing Director, Dubai Industrial City, said: "We welcome Barakat Quality Plus to the manufacturing destination. We are sure the company will capitalize on the synergies created at Dubai Industrial City's expanding F&B zone and their increased production capacity to further strengthen their leading market share throughout the GCC."
Jeyaraman, CEO, Barakat Quality Plus, said: "We are delighted to mark the commissioning of our new, state-of-the-art facility at Dubai Industrial City, which fully conforms to our stringent health and safety standards. Our products are renowned for their trademark freshness and preservative-free quality. Thus, securing an ultra-quick and seamless manufacturing, dispatch and delivery process is all the more vital for us. Dubai Industrial City's close proximity to the Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Sea Port, the two gateways through which we import and export fruits and vegetables, was a decisive factor to build our new plant in DI.
"Our investment at DI also gives us additional room to expand in the future and build another processing unit as and when future market conditions may require. We are particularly happy that the new factory is both eco-friendly and cost-efficient. The recycling is also designed to reduce our maintenance and operational costs."
Barakat Quality Plus food plants are the only facilities in the UAE that completely recycle water. Approximately 200,000 litres of waste water are recycled into potable water. Nearly 100,000 litres of this drinking water is reused again in the cooling plant and as process water in the factory. Another 30,000 litres of grey water is used in sewerage and irrigation of the green landscape around the factory. The rest is directed for use to concrete factories.
Barakat commands a 35 per cent retail market share in the GCC-wide fresh fruit and vegetable industry, while it enjoys a 75 per cent market presence in the hospitality industry. The company's clients include hotels and tourism establishments, retail outlets and leading supermarkets such as Géant, Carrefour, Spinneys, Choithram, Hyper Panda, Lals and Lulu. Barakat also caters to large companies such as Emirates airlines, and landmark events such as the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Located on Emirates Road Dubai Industrial City covers an area of 560 million square feet (55 square kilometers), it offers a dedicated manufacturing destination comprising six industrial clusters - food and beverage, base metal, mineral products, chemicals, transport equipment and parts and machinery and mechanical equipment.
-Ends-
About Dubai Industrial City
Dubai Industrial City (DI), a member of TECOM Investments, is the second largest non-real estate project in Dubai and is spread across 55 square kilometers (560 million square feet) of land. The industrial destination was established to serve as a catalyst for the growth and expansion of the industrial sector in the United Arab Emirates - especially in light to medium manufacturing sectors with specific emphasis on Machinery and Mechanical equipment, Transport Equipment and parts, Base Metal, Chemicals, Food and Beverage and Mineral Products.
Dubai Industrial City provides a cost effective and efficient business environment together with a number of industry supporting products and facilities including warehousing and logistics solutions, labour villages, vocational training, commercial space as well as a one stop shop for the issue of required licenses and permits.
Dubai Industrial City is strategically located next to the new Al Maktoum Airport (Dubai World Central) and in close proximity to the Jebel Ali Free Zone. The City provides a traffic free environment with direct connections to the Emirates Road, Dubai By Pass Road providing easy and convenient access to global transportation points via road, air and sea.
About Barakat Quality Plus
Established in 2001, Barakat Quality Plus is member of the Barakat Group of Companies and is an ISO 9001:2000 and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) certified establishment.
Barakat Quality Plus is a leading producer and preferred supplier of freshly pressed juices and cut fruits and vegetable products to the retail and hospitality industries in the Arabian Gulf. A member of the IFCA and the recipient of the UAE Best Importer of the Year Award 1992, 1994, 1998, 2000 and 2011 in the fruits and the vegetables sector, the Barakat brand has become synonymous with freshness since it employs the finest raw materials in an additive-free, highly-sanitized process that is executed at dedicated plants in the UAE.
For further information on Dubai Industrial City, please contact:
Burgess Baria
APCO Worldwide
(JiWiN Public Relations)
Mobile +97155-9548683
Email: bbaria@apcoworldwide.com
Nagy Sedra
Brand Manager
Dubai Industrial City
Mobile: +97150-4594252
E-mail: nagy.sedra@tecom.ae
© Press Release 2012
