ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi Ports has announced the arrival of the first container of UK-based Morgan Advanced Materials, a world leader in advanced materials, at Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad). Abu Dhabi Ports is the master developer, operator and manager of ports and Kizad.
Abu Dhabi Ports ensured timely handling of the first shipment, which contained critical equipment for Morgan’s dedicated 37,000-sq-m advanced materials facility in Kizad’s Free Zone, to support the company’s production activities, it said. As the first container to a free zone company to be processed through Abu Dhabi Customs, several clearance procedures were put into practice for the first time, it added.
Mana Mohamed Saeed Al Mulla, chief executive officer, Kizad, said: “The arrival of this shipment was an opportunity for us to showcase our success in managing the supply chain leading into our industrial free zone, which relies heavily on state-of-the-art IT systems and operational procedures.” “We are pleased to announce that our commitment to being well-prepared has paid off, and that this shipment was processed with exceptional efficiency,” he added.
The milestone underscores the streamlined, interconnected nature of the supply chain leading to and from Kizad’s free zone, said a statement. Ian Robb, president of Morgan Advanced Materials’ thermal products division, said: “Kizad is truly world-class, with well-considered plot layouts, roads and facilities.” “Most important, though, is the exceptional service we received from both Kizad and the authorities involved in processing this shipment,” he said. “The support we received has further reinforced our confidence in selecting Kizad for our new advanced materials facility,” he added.
Morgan has a presence in the region since 2001, and in 2014 it selected Kizad for its first dedicated facility in the Middle East in part due to its proximity to Khalifa Port, which provides direct shipping links to more than 50 destination ports globally, it stated.
Morgan’s decision to create a dedicated facility with Kizad’s free zone follows significant growth in demand for its products, especially in the areas of thermal insulation, energy saving, acoustic barriers and fire protection, many of which are produced to very high tolerances and are designed for use in extreme environments, it said. Through an initial 30-year Musataha agreement, Morgan has committed to an initial investment of Dh50 million (around $13.6 million) in its facility at the free zone, it added.
