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RAK expands facility for armoured vehicles

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Park includes factory for speciality glasses

Published: Fri 27 Feb 2015, 11:40 PM

Updated: Mon 29 Jul 2024, 4:08 PM

  • By
  • Ahmed Shaaban (senior Reporter)

haikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi on Thursday inaugurated Phase Two of the world’s largest industrial park of armoured vehicles industry. — Supplied photo

Ras Al Khaimah — His Highness Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, on Thursday inaugurated Phase Two of the world’s largest industrial park for armoured vehicles industry at the Technology Park of RAK Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) in Al Hamra area.

The facility includes the Armoured Protection Glass (APG) factory for safety and bullet proof glass production, a state-of-the-art research and development centre, international parts distribution warehouse and Canadian Safety Solutions Training Centre.

The inauguration marks the completion of the second phase of expansion planned by STREIT Group, the world’s leading manufacturer of armoured vehicles, and will be added to the armoured vehicle manufacturing facility which is already operational.

Shaikh Saud said the new factory marks a milestone achievement for the industrial sector in the UAE in general, and in Ras Al Khaimah in particular, and will be a mainstay of the UAE economy. “This would make a significant contribution to the development of the UAE economy and create important jobs for the nation.”

The emirate is characterised by its strategic location, advanced infrastructure and outstanding facilities for logistics operations. “These contribute to facilitating import and export operations, offering access to raw materials and export products to locations all over the world.”

Guerman Goutorov, chairman and CEO of Streit Group, said the new facility will contribute to increasing the manufacturing capacity of the factory to up to 400 armoured vehicles per month given normal workload.

“However, this capacity can be raised to 500 units when required. The production will be carried out in accordance with the highest standards. The STREIT staff is also expected to increase to some 2,000 employees.”

Peter J Fort, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ), said the total investment of the project is over Dh300 million and consists of three phases. “It covers 8,000 square metres in surface area. STREIT Group intends to expand with additional 7,500 square metres to the complex in the future, in order to serve increasing demands, both in domestic and global markets.”

The armoured vehicle factory is part of Phase One which was completed in April 2012, with an investment of Dh100 million, he added. “The factory produces 120 different models of commercial, cash-in-transit, semi-military and military armoured vehicles.”

Elaborating, he said with the completion of Phase Two, STREIT Group’s workforce reached 800 employees, completed Dh200m of investment, covered a one million square feet area of built-up facilities, and developed an area of five million square feet.

— ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com



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