Fujitsu Siemens Computers’ (FSC) state-of-the-art, 1,500 sq m Middle East assembly plant, which is housed in PWC Logistics’ facility in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafz), was officially opened recently by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Education, and Jamal Majid bin Thaniah, vice chairman of the board of Ports and Free Zones and CEO of the Ports and Free Zone Authority.

The new facility, which will have a capacity of 100,000 PCs per year, will enable FSC to deliver PCs anywhere in the Middle East within an average of five to eight days – nearly 50 per cent faster than the present industry standard.
The components will be shipped from Germany and other locations around the globe to Dubai, where the PCs will be assembled.
The assembly plant is the cornerstone of a first-of-its-kind agreement between the European IT giant and PWC Logistics, a global provider of integrated supply chain solutions, to deliver complete end-to-end solutions to its regional customers.
The new assembly plant is modelled on the FSC’s ultra-modern German production facility in Augsburg, which has just been awarded the prestigious Factory of the Year/GEO 2005 award in the “country champion” category.
The UAE factory, which boasts the same technology, operating procedures, methodology and quality control as its German counterpart, will be managed by senior FSC staff trained in Augsburg.
Habib Bouchrara, vice president, Middle East, Africa and Turkey, FSC, remarked: “This is a landmark deal for Fujitsu Siemens Computers and will help to support our German facilities, ensuring that we deliver the extremely high levels of quality that are expected of us faster and more efficiently to the market.”
 “The Middle East is a key market for FSC which recorded over 50 per cent growth in 2005.
PWC Logistics will be responsible for the delivery of all components from Germany and elsewhere, as well as the transportation of finished products throughout the Middle East.
“This partnership leverages our complete range of services such as freight, transportation, warehousing, assembly, order fulfilment and distribution,” said Tarek Sultan, PWC Logistics chairman and managing director, who was also present at the opening.
“To be involved in creating a completely unique, integrated service solution for the region with one of the most respected IT industry players, signals our growing stature as a truly global logistics player.”