Strategic Location to Support Growing MENA-Wide Operations

Dubai-UAE: 19 December, 2011 - Dubai Industrial City, the region's leading manufacturing and logistics destination and a member of TECOM Investments, today announced it has signed a project development agreement with Gulf Eternit Industries (GEI), a member of Future Pipe Industries Group (FPI), to establish a fiberglass pipe factory.

The new factory will replace its current operations in Um Al Ramool that was set up in 1972 and consolidate Gulf Eternit's growing role as a leading supplier of fiberglass pipes to local and regional clients including Dubai Municipality, DEWA, Dubai Transport Authority, SEWA, FEWA, ADWEA, Abu Dhabi Municipality, ADNOC Group of Companies, and Borouge.

Established in Dubai in 1984, Future Pipe Industries Group has evolved from a local manufacturer to a global leader in the large diameter fiberglass pipe industry. Currently, the company develops, manufactures and supplies pipe systems to more than 300 major customers in over 50 countries across the power, oil and gas, petrochemical, infrastructural, municipal, desalination and marine market segments.

Abdullah Belhoul, Managing Director, Dubai Industrial City, said: "Dubai Industrial City welcomes not only a world-class leader that is a prominent technology developer and manufacturer of advanced fiberglass pipe systems, but also.a homegrown company that has not only made its mark in the global marketplace but also stands testimony to the progress achieved by Dubai's industrial sector."

Fiberglass pipes are gaining increasing market share over counterparts made with commodity materials such as iron and concrete. In addition to being environmentally friendly, fiberglass pipes have a high strength-to-weight ratio, which results in lower transportation and installation costs. Additionally, fiberglass is non-corrosive, highly resilient to harsh climactic conditions, and offers a lifespan of over five decades that translate to lower replacement needs.

Mounib Hatab, Vice President, Future Pipe Industries Group and Gulf Eternit Industries (UAE), said: "Our region is witnessing a rise in housing, non-residential buildings and infrastructure projects, all of which need quality supplies from the pipeline industry. Our relocation to Dubai Industrial City, with its close proximity to the Jebel Ali Sea Port and the Al Maktoum International Airport, along with our planned state-of-the-art factory will allow us to introduce a new competitive edge to our business. We are thankful to Dubai Industrial City for the constant support they have extended to us during our relocation process."

Earlier this month, Dubai Industrial City, the second largest non-real estate project in Dubai, announced it has completed large infrastructural development work associated with its power, water, sewage, irrigation and telecom systems covering an equivalent area of 15 square kilometers (161 million square feet) of the city.

Located on Emirates Road near the new Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai Industrial City offers a strategic advantage with its proximity to major highways and the Jebel Ali Port.

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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 Future Pipe Industries Group
Future Pipe Industries Group (FPI) is the global leader in the fiberglass pipe industry, developing, manufacturing and supplying fiberglass pipe systems for customers throughout the world. FPI serves more than 300 customers in over 50 countries across the Oil & Gas, Water and Industrial markets. FPI's customers are typically companies engaged in infrastructure and construction projects, such as engineering, procurement and general contracting companies and infrastructure building contractors. The end-users of FPI's pipe systems include governments, municipalities, other state-owned enterprises, oil & gas exploration and production companies and power generation companies.

For further information on the Future Pipe Industries Group, please contact:
Anne Bleeker
Email: a.bleeker@futurepipe.com
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 2011