Dubai construction sector to stay positive
Italian construction chemicals company announces expansion of operations to add production lines
MAPEI, the privately owned Italian construction chemicals, yesterday inaugurated its expanded facilities in Dubai.
The company is hoping to increase its market share with an additional 5,200 square metres to its facility, through producing new lines and offering more space for storage and exports, said Stefano Iannacone, Director of MAPEI for Middle East and East Africa region.
“We have reached the point where the product portfolio that were manufactured here, we have reached the ceiling in the market share. In order to grow, we have to come with products that are not sold by MAPEI before, although present in our range globally, were not sold in Dubai, in the UAE or wider GCC. So this will give us an opportunity to grow even faster,” said Iannacone in an interview with Gulf News on the sidelines of the inauguration at the company’s site in the Industrial Park.
According to the Italian executive, the need for construction chemicals continues despite any concerns about a slowdown in the sector.
“I know they [some people] say the construction sector is suffering, [and] is on a down turn. However, it is a two-fold thing. The number you are talking about is huge. Even if it is decreasing by 20 billion, there is still 100 billion businesses to grab. We supply materials, and materials for construction are not the one suffering,” he said.
“The construction spending that is decreasing, in my opinion, are for luxurious finishes or projects that are iconic but not functional. When you talk about housing, schools, hospitals, airports, ports, bridges, roads, there is no cut in these projects. These projects are required to accomplish the vision of the leaders of this country.”
MAPEI’s Dubai facility is the biggest for the company, which celebrated last year its 80th anniversary and its 10th anniversary in the emirate. Today MAPEI has 82 subsidiaries and 75 plants in 34 countries.
The company produces materials used for waterproofing basements all the way to products for roofing during construction, Iannacone said.