First Microfactory launched in UAE

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First Microfactory launched in UAE
Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak; Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Beth Comstock; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Mohamed Abdullah Al Gergawi.

Published: Tue 28 Mar 2017, 10:13 PM

Last updated: Wed 29 Mar 2017, 12:43 AM

Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala), the Dubai Future Foundation and GE Additive joined forces to launch the first Microfactory in the region, which will support the UAE developments in 3D printing and small batch manufacturing to on-demand global collaboration and crowdsourced problem solving.
Minister of Cabinet Affairs and vice chairman and managing director of the Dubai Future Foundation Mohamed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Mubadala group chief executive officer and managing director Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak and and GE vice chair Beth Comstock inked the memorandum of understanding in the presence of  His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The signing is in line with the realisation of UAE's Vision 2021 of diversifying and supporting the advancement of industrialisation, localisation and manufacturing.
The Microfactory is expected to play a key role in the upscaling of design and manufacturing capabilities in the UAE and the broader region, allowing for the merger of innovative and forward thinking ideas with the ability to use cutting edge additive manufacturing technology in the production of specialised components. The Microfactory will bridge the gap to production through small batch manufacturing and would support ecosystem development, customer co-creation and unlocking new growth sectors.
There will be an Abu Dhabi-based Microfactory focused on serving industrial companies, as well as a Dubai-based Microfactory focused on serving consumer goods and services companies.
Al Gergawi said the Microfactories are a glimpse of what the future represents, combining innovation and educational ecosystems with fast, efficient and sustainable manufacturing capabilities. "The possibilities are truly limitless," he added.
Education and capability-building are vital elements behind the success and sustainability of the Microfactory, with heavy emphasis being placed not only on the ground by providing access to engineering and innovation consultants, but also the around-the-clock ability to interact and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the field through the uniquely incorporated crowdsourcing platform.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak said the innovative micro-factories can enhance country's 'competitive edge'. Comstock noted that the Microfactories will support the growth of entrepreneurs and SMEs in the digital industrial space, building a local ecosystem and community of suppliers across the key industries.- ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
 

By Staff Report

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