Sobha Group to set up furniture factory in Abu Dhabi Ports’ Kizad

Abu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of ports and Khalifa Industrial Zone (Kizad) in the Emirate, has signed a standard Musataha agreement (SMA) with Sobha Group to launch SAFNON ITALIA, a furniture factory-cum-showroom in Kizad. Sobha Group is one of the largest and most highly reputed real estate developers in India and the Middle East. The company boasts over four decades of experience in the interior decoration and wood working sectors, and is distinguished by its fully backward integrated development approach.

The 172,990-sq metres facility will be one of the largest furniture manufacturing units in the GCC region. The state-of-the art factory will produce a range of products, including upholstered furniture, modular furniture, kitchen, wardrobe and wood joinery – all of which will cater to the region’s business-to-business (B2B) market.

“Sobha Group is a new entrant among the prominent global and regional business players that has chosen Kizad to set up its business. The group’s decision to establish SAFNON ITALIA in Kizad proves that the integrated offerings of Khalifa Port and Kizad provide an ideal infrastructure for innovative business ventures,” said Mana Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla, CEO of Kizad.

Ajay Rajendran, Co-Chairman Sobha Group said: “Kizad is an ideal base for us as we expect Kizad to be one of the most developed industrial areas in the coming years. It also gives us an advantage of being one of the first companies to move into the location as we look forward to meet the demand for quality interiors and furniture in the GCC. The planned facility will house the latest and best-in class German and Italian machines, catering to our B2B clients looking for European standards of process and quality”.

“Our base in Kizad will reduce the delivery time compared to competitors who have their manufacturing facilities in Europe. Our customers will have the opportunity to visit the facility and see for themselves how their product is being produced,” he continued.

SAFNON ITALIA will set up a design studio in Italy, to create meaningful furniture products and an experience which will help meet clients’ customized requests. The upholstering unit at Kizad will manufacture sofas, couches, chairs and other soft furniture in both leather and fabric. The wood joinery line, offering bespoke expertise, will be able to produce various types of customised wood-based components and furniture. As part of the future expansion plan, a dedicated space for office furniture manufacturing will be allocated within the facility.