GULFGUARD BREAKS GROUND IN U.A.E.
Joint venture company to build float glass plant in Ras al
Khaimah
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., (February 12, 2006) – Saudi Guardian International
Float Glass Co., Ltd. (GulfGuard), along with its joint venture partners,
Guardian Industries Corp., National Company for Glass Industries Ltd.
(“Zoujaj”) and Al Zamil Group, held a groundbreaking ceremony today for
Guardian RAK, a new float glass facility that will be located in Ras Al
Khaimah, U.A.E.
His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler
of Ras Al Khaimah and Dr. Khater Massaad, Advisor to The Crown Prince,
attended the event along with Guardian officials, customers and suppliers.
“We continue to develop a strong customer base in the Gulf region and are
pleased to expand capacity along with our partners,” said Russ Ebeid, president
of Guardian’s glass group. “The new plant will enhance GulfGuard’s ability to
meet the growing demands for flat glass in the region.”
Mr. Ebeid also praised the economic development recruitment efforts of the
Crown Prince and the Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority.
Site preparation work for the manufacturing facility will begin immediately with
production slated to begin in the second quarter of 2007. With an initial
investment of approximately $115 million, Guardian RAK will produce 700 tons of
glass per day that will be used in automotive and construction applications,
including high-performance coated glass. The RAK facility will employ
approximately 300 people and generate as many as 1,000 additional jobs in
related supplier and logistics industries. Glass produced at the facility will be sold
in the Gulf Region as well as exported throughout the world.
Ras Al Khaimah’s population is around 500,000 and it is the northern most
Emirate of the U.A.E., located 75 miles (100 km) north of Dubai.
GulfGuard is a Saudi limited liability company, commercially registered in 1995
as a joint venture between Guardian Industries Corp., one of the largest float
glass producers in the world; National Company for Glass Industries Ltd. and Al
Zamil Group. It is Saudi Arabia’s premier manufacturer of float glass.
Guardian Industries Corp., based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, is a leading
worldwide manufacturer of float glass and fabricated glass products for the
commercial and residential construction industries. Guardian Automotive
provides exterior systems to the global automotive industry and is a Tier 1 global
automotive supplier. Guardian’s Building Products Group, headquartered in
Greenville, South Carolina, includes a substantial fiberglass insulation
manufacturing operation and occupies a significant and growing position in the
building materials distribution business with more than 100 strategically located
distribution centers and brokerage offices in the United States and Canada.
Guardian, its subsidiaries and affiliates employ 19,000 people and operate
facilities throughout North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the
Middle East.