Clipsal opens Dh50m factory in Sharjah

SHARJAH - A Dh50 million manufacturing facility of Australian company, Clipsal, was officially inaugurated by Shaikh Abdullah bin Mohammad Al Thani, chairman of the Department of Sharjah Civil Aviation and SAIF Zone, yesterday.

By M. A. Qudoos

Published: Sun 13 Jun 2004, 10:07 AM

Last updated: Tue 10 Jan 2023, 8:53 AM

The factory produces 100km of PVC electrical conduits a day, consumer switchboards and budget range of switches.

Shaikh Abdullah told Khaleej Times after cutting the ceremonial ribbon and taking a round of the factory, "SAIF Zone is providing extensive support to the investors who are establishing their projects at the zone. We welcome them.

"We are proud of the Clipsal facility and the high quality of its products."

Victor Lo, chairman, Clipsal Asia Holdings Ltd, Hong Kong, said that the company was happy to invest in the SAIF Zone and impressed by the level of support from the local authorities.

"We had a smooth expansion over the years. The Middle East is a very important market for us. We have brought the latest in technoloy at the SAIF Zone facility since we maintain the same level of standard at all our facilities. We will continue to further expand this facility with the help of the most modern technology," Victor added.

Lalu Samuel, managing director of Clipsal Middle East FZC, said, "We will make this facility our main base for the Middle East belt and Africa."

In addition to Robert G. Gerard, chairman and managing director, Gerard Corporation Pty Ltd, also present from Clipsal Asia were K.W. Chau, vice chairman and managing director, and Xavier Datin, deputy CEO.

The Australian company, which was earlier supplying these products through exports, has now transferred its 80-year-old tried and tested technology to the UAE for the factory.

Clipsal has acquired 30,000 sq. metres of land at the SAIF Zone. Of this, the factory has utilised a built up area of 5,000 sq. metres in its first phase. Other phases will be implemented in a 10-year expansion plan.

Clipsal Middle East set up its regional operations office at SAIF in 1996 where its team of 176 staff handles logistics of 9,000 Clipsal products in 22 countries in the South West Asia region, which includes AGCC, Lavant, and West, Central and North Africa.

Its office at JAFZ takes care of sales and marketing of Clipsal products. Earlier, sales of Clipsal products were made through agents.

Clipsal managed the complete lighting system at the Sydney Olympics. It manufactures 45,000 products whose acceptance by the people is increasing due to consistency in quality.

These include 23 kinds of switches and sockets, products for industrial, commercial lighting, data and communication, energy and cable management, and air movement.