Sharjah-based Middle East Switchgear Industries Ltd (MES), which makes low voltage 'factory build assemblies' (FBAs), has announced it is diversifying into the production of medium-voltage switchgear which it believes has a greater potential in the local and export markets.
The company, which has been in a technical tie-up with European low-voltage products manufacturer Legrand since 1997, also announced it would open this year the MES Legrand Training Centre to train consultants, contractors, switchgear assembler and technical school students about switchgear products and the production processes. The centre would help create awareness in the market about switchgear and about the capabilities of local manufacturers, said MES managing director Allauddin Chugtai.
Chugtai said he expected he expected his company's sales in 2002 to be 50 per cent higher than the $4 and $5 million registered in 2001.
"We expect better prospects for the 2002 since we expect more business from export," he said. "The recent trend of our business activities is seen moving more towards exports as there is market demand (overseas). Our exports are not limited to the Gulf region but extend to other Asian markets."
Production of FBAs at MES' 8,500 sq m factory in the Sharjah Industrial Area includes MCCB boards, motor control centres both of the fixed and draw-out types, feeder pillars, ATS and synchronising panels and capacitor panels.
Chugtai said the company was established in 1992 with the aim of building low-voltage FBAs at a competitive price for local and export markets without compromising on quality and that "we have been approved by the Australian Association for the Certificate of Quality and management Systems for ISO-9001".
The official drew attention to rising manufacturing costs, which he estimated were now 30 per cent higher than in the mid-1980s. He acknowledged that market demand had also increased "accordingly". "At this juncture, unless quality products are produced it will be very difficult to sustain oneself in this competitive market," he said.
