AAE announces $5.4mn expansion in SAIF Zone
The firm will expand its factory and build modern facilities to enhance its production capacity and meet the growing demand for its products in the local and regional markets
Steel fabrication firm Advanced Armour Engineering (AAE) has announced new expansion plans with investments exceeding $5.4m. The firm said it has rented additional land covering 19,500sqft, taking its total area to 67,500sqft in the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone).
The company specialises in precision mechanical welding, precision cut and cold formed components and noted that the lease agreement was signed at the free zone’s headquarters by Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, director of Sharjah Airport International Free Zone, and Simon Hurst, general manager of Advanced Armour Engineering in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
As per the terms of the agreement, the British company, which has been operating in the free zone since 2016, will expand its factory and build modern facilities to enhance its production capacity and meet the growing demand for its products in the local and regional markets, the statement noted.
Al Mazrouei commented, “AAE’s decision to expand was a step in the right direction and reflects SAIF Zone’s excellence in developing infrastructure suitable for the iron and steel sector, which is being paid special attention as we consider it a basic pillar in the process of economic development. The decision comes at a time when the UAE and Sharjah in particular, are witnessing mega construction projects, something which resulted in a growing demand for iron and steel products to implement vital projects, such as Expo 2020 Dubai, not to mention the government spending on infrastructure projects.”
The firm is said to offer prototype design, series production and final delivery services and provides expertise to assist its clients during the development of complex projects involving specialised materials using special grade steels such as High Strength and Armour plate.
AAE’s move is the latest in a series of expansion plans announced by SAIF Zone-based companies, which reflects the free zone’s role and contribution to achieving the objectives of “Operation 300bn”, a national strategy for industry and advanced technology, the statement pointed out.
Hurst added, “AAE’s expansion decision has been taken following the resounding success that we achieved in Sharjah after we based our MENA operations in SAIF Zone. In addition to its unique privileges, services and advantages, SAIF Zone provides state-of-the-art infrastructure, multiple sized warehouses, lands, offices, storage services, transportation management, manufacturing facilities and other integrated facilities that all were the reason behind our success and above all, Sharjah enjoys a strategic location between East and West.”
