Mobis Parts Middle East has selected Amana Contracting and Steel Buildings, a leader in fast track, turnkey construction, to design and build the warehouse extension to its existing facility in the Jebel Ali Free Zone. Mobis Parts Middle East Fze (MPME) has budgeted more than Dh 12 million to expand its warehouse facility (RDC) at Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA). MPME caters to 40 countries in the Middle East and Africa region that includes 56 Hyundai and 37 Kia distributors.
The expansion will add an additional 15,000 square meters to the already existing built-up area of 30,000 square meters at the existing site. The new structure is expected to be completed in 180 days. Amana, along with its partner, Style Consultant Engineers, will construct the design-build warehouse with maximum storage capabilities including racking requirements for rapid movement of goods and a specialized storage room for airbags, safety belts and hazardous goods.
Speaking at the signing of the contract Riad Bsaibes, Chief Operating Officer for Amana said he was pleased to add Mobis Parts to the company’s growing list of blue chip clients, particularly those in the automotive industry.
“With the impressive sales growth for both Hyundai and Kia, Mobis recognized the need to quickly maximize the built up area of its existing plot at JAFZA,” said Riad Bsaibes. “In selecting Amana, not only can Mobis be assured of a fast-track solution to the growing market demand for its auto parts, but we also offer the guarantee that our construction will meet the highest standards of safety and quality.”
Amana has a strong track record in working with major multinational companies in JAFZA, including leaders in the logistics, automotive and FMCG industries. In JAFZA, alone, Amana is currently constructing more than 100,000 square meters of buildings.
Mr. Hyuk Ki Kim, Managing Director of Mobis said, “We have seen the quality of Amana’s work across a wide range of industries. Their quality design proposition coupled with a promise of delivery ahead of our expectations resulted in our decision to award them the contract.”
MPME is forecasting a turnover of US$ 90 million in 2006 from its spare parts business in the MENA region, which means a growth rate of 25% over 2005, thus making this one of the company’s fastest growing regions.
Mr. JH Suh, Deputy General Manager said: “With Hyundai and Kia’s reputation for quality vehicles fast expanding, coupled with a fleet of new models and evidenced by numerous international awards, the need to provide customers with good after sales service is increasingly important. On the vehicle side, our territory is expected to have approximately 800,000 Hyundai and Kia models on the road.”
Amana Contracting and Steel Buildings is the regional leader in the design-build of industrial and commercial facilities, with over 1500 buildings constructed across the region. Amana is leading the industry in its ability to deliver turnkey solutions for extremely time sensitive industrial and commercial projects on time, within budget and with quality requirements.
Mobis Parts Middle East, the spare parts subsidiary of South Korea's Hyundai Mobis (a division of the Hyundai Motor Automotive Group), was incorporated in 2002 with a paid-up capital of Dhs 11 million. The regional subsidiary has helped Kia and Hyundai distributors reduce their inventories substantially with a 96% parts availability rate and reduced lead times.
© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
