Al Nasser Industrial Enterprises (ANIE) once a toddling division, is today a well-reputed group with its own identity and resources to control and manage all the group's industrial projects. Today the group has interests in metal, power, polymers, plastics and environmental protection.

"In a short space of time, developments within the UAE and the needs of its people have given ANIE the wisdom to invest in infrastructure, personnel and equipment that have been so influential in its growth as one of the most highly professional and respected enterprises," said the group's general manager Sanjay Mehta.

"In this millennium, ANIE is on the threshold of an exciting stage in its growth - one where it will invest more and diversify into other related fields, besides continuously upgrading its skills so that it is ready for the challenges of the future."

Mehta said the group was confident that over the next five to 10 years, each of its ventures would achieve a high level of growth in its particular sector, and become a leader among private industries in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and a strong player regionally.

The following are brief profiles of companies within the group.

Gulf Steel Industries Company (GSIC): It started rolling steel for the construction and building industry in 1991 on a 24,000 sq m site in Abu Dhabi's Mussafah Industrial area. Finally coming on stream in 1993 with a capacity of 15,000 tonnes per annum (tpa). GSIC produces high tensile steel bars - deformed reinforcement bars, using high-quality material, under strict quality control. It is also capable of producing bars of other grades. Following a programme of continuous technical enhancement and expansions, the company now has a capacity of 90,000 tpa of deformed reinforcement bars (debars) and 36,000 tpa of ribbed wire rod. Plans are afoot to add on "Thermax treatment" and produce weldmesh.

Polycon Gulf Ltd: When it was established in 1993, it was the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council (AGCC) countries to manufacture a wide range of polyethylene water and chemical storage tanks. The tanks, which range in capacity from 35 gallons to 5000 gallons, are ideal for a wide range of water storage needs in domestic homes, industrial plants, agriculture and other facilities. Since the tanks are moulded in one piece they are completely leak-proof while specific design criteria guard against biological growth and contamination, environmental stress, impact, heat and temperature fluctuation and UV radiation. Polycon also produces car shades - ideal for the harsh climate in the Gulf region - and road barriers. These barriers are produced in hollow form and then can be easily filled with water or sand to produce a high-quality and extremely safe road barrier, which requires little or no maintenance at all.

Emirates Steel Establishment: It has been operating since 1998 as a 100 per cent group-held company specifically to manufacture steel ingots, a semi-finished product from scrap steel, as a backward integration for Gulf Steel Industries Company.

Gulf Polymers LLC: This was the first and only local GCC manufacturer of hot press moulded sectional water tanks. The AquaStor panels are hot pressed at a pressure of 100 - 200 kg / sq cm using glass reinforced polyester SMC. The highly efficient AquaStor low-density polyurethane core is totally encapsulated between the GRP sectional panel and the insulation cover. The encapsulating external weather skin is manufactured from UV-stabilised material with the foam insulator to provide total protection against weathering and damage.

By eliminating the need for expensive, purpose-built insulated tank housings, which often cost as much as the tank itself, substantial cost savings can be achieved using the tank panels.

The panels are manufactured under ISO 9002 quality standards and approved by the Water Research Centre of the UK and all UAE municipalities for potable water storage.

Gulf Polymers also manufactures GRP hot pressed moulded panels for the Duro-Stor modular housing systems and kiosks.

Gulf Packaging LLC: Formed in August 1998, it has been on stream since November 1999, manufacturing PET preforms and blow moulded PET packaging products. It is the first and only manufacturer of five gallon PET preforms, bottles and jars in the UAE for the food and beverage industry in the region. As a local manufacturer, Gulf Packaging offers considerable savings on freight charges and delays compared with overseas manufacturers as it has the advantage of an in-house design capability for specialist functions and applications as well as a full stock of ready designs.

Federal Transformers LLC: Set up in Abu Dhabi in 1999 as a wholly owned subsidiary of ANIE, Federal Transformers has a strong expertise in engineering and development, offering high quality power transformers of local origin that cater to the vibrant electric power distribution sector in the Gulf and Mena regions. Since commercial production commenced in January 2000, it has already achieved KEMA approval and ISO 9001 Certification, besides approvals from the utilities of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Federal Transformers, having a 200,000 sq ft plot, manufactures a wide range of transformers at its purpose-built 41,500 sq ft climate-controlled and dust-free production facility in Abu Dhabi.

Federal Aluminium Co: It was set up in Abu Dhabi in October 2000 to cater to the increasing global demand for aluminium alloys, and to utilise the keen potential of the Middle East as a manufacturing base. As part of a large diversified group, it specialises in the manufacture of a wide range of primary and secondary alloys and master alloys by recycling scrap and primary metals. Its state-of-the-art facility, which is located in the Mussafah Industrial Area, has an annual capacity of 10,000 tpa, which is soon to rise to 15,000 tpa when the second phase of expansion is complete. Today, it enjoys much credibility and goodwill in the region and internationally, and is set to cater to the global aluminium alloy market.

Saudi Polycon LLC: Started in January 2000, Saudi Polycon LLC is a joint venture with a local partner, manufacturing and marketing polyethylene rotomoulded tanks in the kingdom. The tanks are manufactured in accordance with international standards and specifications for water storage needs.

Polycon is also a name to conjure with in Oman. Darwish Polycon, based in Muscat, manufactures rotomoulded PE water tanks similar to those produced by Polycon Gulf.

Geyad for Commerce and Import Co.: A 50-50 joint venture located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, Geyad fabricates pressure vessels, tanks and steel structures for the petrochemical industry, in collaboration with multinationals such as Technimont, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Bechtel, to name a few. It caters to the utility requirements in desalination plants as well.

"ANIE was born of the need to wisely utilise the rich resources of the UAE and realise the dreams and aspirations of its people to become self-reliant. Over the years it has enjoyed much credibility and goodwill among its people, clients and partners. ANIE's is a success story that has been, and continues to be, scripted by its people who have continuously striven to meet its objectives and achieve its goals," commented Mehta.