Gulf Exporters

Danube to double ACP capacity

Danube Group’s ACP plant in Dubai

An acknowledged building materials leader, it is also a supplier of products to its properties division

Dubai-based Danube Group, a leading building materials supplier, plans to significantly increase production capacity at its fire-rated aluminium composite panels (ACPs) plant in the UAE.

Current daily capacity of the ACPs, marketed under the brand name Alucopanel, is 4,000 sq m. The factory was set up recently in Techno Park, Dubai,.

“The product is less hazardous to human beings and ensures the fire does not spread immediately to the whole building. Alucopanel is tested and complies with ASTM E84 (class A) as per new rules and regulations from Dubai Civil Defence,” said Anis Sajan, managing director, Danube Group. Exports go to markets in the Middle East, Africa and Russia.

“The panels are available in standard size – 1.25 by 3.2 m, but we can also do custom design,” said Sajan. “We are expecting a significant increase in demand for this product in the near future. We are also looking at doubling the production capacity to meet the demand,” he said.  The company has ample space to add additional production lines.

Established in 1993 as a trading firm, Danube Building Materials, the company has grown into one of the largest building materials operations in the region, offering more than 25,000 products.

From the UAE, the Dh2 billion ($544 million) turnover Danube Group serves the rest of the GCC region as well as Kenya, Ethiopia and other African countries. It also exports to Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maturities, India, some parts of the CIS and Afghanistan.

ACPs manufactured by the company

ACPs manufactured by the company

Its most popular export items include plywood and timber products, sanitary ware, steel, aluminium cladding, gypsum boards and related products.

For this year the company is looking at consolidating and establishing itself in the markets it has entered recently. It is also looking at expanding its export sales team so they can travel extensively to penetrate markets to understand their needs and serve them better.

The company has also expanded its products portfolio with the addition of storage water heaters and instant water heaters. 

The Danube Group also plans to expand its retail arm, Danube Home. It currently has 42 showrooms plans to increase the number to 75 over the next two years. New stores are to open across the GCC, India and China.

Another significant development in 2014 was the launch of Danube Properties last June. The company launched its first project Dreamz by Danube, the Dh500 million residential project, located in the Al Furjan area of Dubai.

The project comprising 171 three- and four-bedroom townhouses, with a built-up area of between 2,500 and 3,000 sq ft, was sold out on the first day of the public sale.

In December the company announced the launch of Dh300 million apartment project ‘Glitz by Danube.’

The project, which encompasses 300 apartment units in a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom properties, will be constructed in Dubai Studio City close to the proposed Village Centre.

The launch of Danube Properties is helping Danube Building Materials leverage its strength as the UAE’s largest building materials supplier.

“As the most preferred choice for building materials and interiors supplier, we already know of the different tastes of customers in the market, which will help us to leverage our experience into the real estate sector and pass on the benefits of our expertise to our customers,” Rizwan Sajan, founder of the Danube Group, said.