German pump manufacturer Wilo has announced plans to build a major new facility in the south Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) by 2017.
The company will build offices, a training centre, warehouses and a local assembly plant over an 8,000 square metre plot of land, to be used by its Middle East subsidiary.
Wilo Middle East started out in Jebel Ali Free Zone in 2008 and subsequently moved to a bigger facility in 2011 to incorporate a showroom, sales office and state-of-the-art warehouse in the new premises.
The new facility will include the Wilo Academy, the training centre where distributors, engineers, installers and end-users will receive training on its various water technology solutions.
The firm believes that this will greatly assist its development in the three defined market segments: building services, water management and industry.
Carsten Krumm, COO of WILO SE, said: By further expanding to a bigger facility by the end of 2017, we believe we can better serve our distributors in the region by offering locally tailored and assembled products and services.
The new offices will strengthen Wilos position in the Middle East as a regional platform that supports the Gulf and surrounding countries.
Wilo Middle East FZE currently serves 10 countries in the region from its base in Dubai.
Bishara Khalil, Managing Director of Wilo Middle East FZE said: The companys rationale for making the investment in Dubai was based on several factors, including the citys role as a platform and hub for logistics and commercial trade in the Middle East, Dubais efficient sea, land and airports infrastructure, and of course, its long-standing business stability.