Cables to link seven new sub-stations in eastern region Abu Dhabi


January 29, 2003
Dubai Cable Company Pvt. Ltd. (Ducab), the leading regional cable manufacturer in the Middle East, has won a prestigious order worth over Dhs 60 million from the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA) for the manufacture and supply of more than 500 kms of 33kV cables in 2003. This is the biggest single tender won by Ducab for the supply of cables to a regional power utility.

The contract, awarded to Ducab against stiff competition from regional and global bidders, involves the supply of 33 kV XLPE cables to link seven new primary sub-stations as part of ADWEAs expansion and upgradation project in the Eastern region of Abu Dhabi. The expansion project also envisages a major demand for 33kV cable, required to complete the fast track power distribution network.

Ducabs growing relationship with power utilities in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman has made a significant change in its business strategy, said Colin Paskins, Managing Director, Ducab. The ADWEA contract is a salute to the standards and professionalism that have been strongly implemented at Ducab. A prestigious order of this magnitude successfully consolidates Ducabs position as a name to be reckoned with in the cable manufacturing industry. The support and encouragement provided by the Governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai has also contributed greatly to the companys impressive growth.

ADWEA follows a systematic procedure to pre-qualify, shortlist and select bidders in order to ensure that the projects are implemented along global standards and bring long-term benefits to its consumers. By implementing a stringent policy of selection involving a detailed and rigorous pre-qualification process ADWEA has guaranteed that only the most competent and reputed manufacturers are chosen to execute this major project to inter-link seven new primary stations in the Eastern region of Abu Dhabi.

It is indeed a matter of pride that a UAE owned manufacturer has successfully managed to compete against established GCC-based, regional as well as international cable suppliers. Ducab has been awarded this order as it has proved itself to have strong technical resources well qualified to supply the required length of cables with the necessary specifications within the time frame dictated by ADWEAs requirements, said Paskins. This contract reflects ADWEAs confidence in Ducabs manufacturing capability to service a major demand for 33kV cables. The trust that ADWEA has placed in Ducab inspires us to adopt higher standards and compete against other major international cable companies, many of whom enjoy a variety of benefits subsidies from their home countries.

The ADWEA contract is a very significant order for us, because it was won against very tough competition from renowned pre-qualified cable manufacturers from all over the world, said Farid Mohammed Ahmed, General Manager Sales and Marketing, Ducab. This order also holds special significance for the local manufacturing industry, which is constantly under pressure to compete with international organizations who have proven high standards. The Board of Directors decision in 2001 to expand the manufacturing capacity by adding the second CCV line has put Ducab in a stronger position to bid for major projects and this have been proved by this major contract to execute the ambitious distribution network of ADWEA.

Photo caption: From Left to Right: (sitting) Abdulla A. Al Ahbabi, Director of Business Support, ADWEA and Colin Paskins, Managing Director, Ducab with L to R(standing) Bader Al Junaibi, Khalid Al Azzani, Adel Mustafawi, Deb Mazumdar and Waleed Al Hosani of Ducab.

About Dubai Cable Company Ltd. (Ducab)
Editors Note:
Established in 1979, Dubai Cable Company Ltd. (Ducab) is the first purpose built cable manufacturing company in the UAE and is owned by the Government of Dubai and Government of Abu Dhabi. Its product range covers low voltage power cables, control and auxiliary cables, wiring and lead-sheathed cables in addition to Ducab Powerplus medium voltage cables (up to 33 kV) and Ducab Smokemaster cables in situations where safety is paramount. Ducab is also well-known as the distributor of Ducab Connect cable accessories. Ducab has always emphasized on quality in its organisation and is certified to ISO 9001 quality management systems and ISO 14001 environment protection systems. A two-time winner of the Dubai Quality award (1994 and 1998) Ducab has also been the recipient of the Gulf News DHL enterprise award for1989 and 1993. It has implemented manufacturing and business excellence programs involving benchmarking with the worlds best practices.

For further information, please contact:

Sudha Chandran
PR Account Manager
Orient Planet, PR & Marketing Communications
PO Box 23345 Dubai, UAE
Tel: 00 971 4 3988901 Fax: 00 971 4 3988941
Email: sudha@orientplanet.com
www.orientplanet.com

© Press Release 2003