Danube Building Materials, a leader in construction, building materials, and shop fitting industries, has announced that it aims to generate Dh1 billion ($272 million) in sales revenues by the end of 2008, following a highly successful performance in 2007.

Having achieved 72 per cent growth in annual earnings last year, the company also projected it could double its annual returns to touch the Dh2 billion mark by the end of 2010, based on the current uptrend in its overall growth and rapid expansion of the regional construction industry.
The company’s outstanding growth has been the result of its dedicated focus on establishing facilities in high-potential production locations, such as its newest factories in Lianyungang, (China) and Bahrain, which supply a significant bulk of the high-quality products for its regional and international clients. In the UAE, Danube has undertaken a number of significant projects, including the delivery of its new Formica toilet cubicles to Dubai Mall, in addition to over Dh200 million in new projects in Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Dubai Techno Park. Product expansion has also been a highlight of the company’s operations in 2007, with its initial foray into steel trading, ceiling manufacturing, and glass and aluminum garnering considerable success.
Rizwan Sajan, chairman, Danube, commented that 2007 had been remarkable for the company. It had opened up a number of important ventures and gained outstanding exposure for its products with global and regional clients. “Our participation in events such as the Dubai Woodshow and Big 5 has significantly contributed to our accomplishments. Following our successful venture into new markets this year, we are also looking into penetrating the cement market and introducing more innovative building materials to our clients.”
Danube formed important partnerships during 2007 including alliances with Jotun Paints and Alubond USA. Its own innovations, such as the new ‘fire rated doors,’ also made their debut in 2007 after obtaining quality accreditation from BM Trada, a prestigious UK-based certification body. For 2008, Danube has charted a specific action plan to target Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait where demand for building materials is rapidly increasing. Considering the Middle East region as the market with the most growth potential, the company is keen on supplying the rising demand for key products such as steel, medium density fibreboards (MDFs), laminates, timber, glass, aluminium and other things.
“Our vision as the leading supplier and one-stop shop for total building materials is to cater to the requirements of our entire customer base, from individual homeowners to contractors and developers working on mega projects across the region,” said Sajan. “Our strategy is to maximise our inputs in the building materials sector and further boost our market position by reinforcing our regional expansion plans and further enhancing our product line, thereby enabling us to reach our sales revenue targets in the coming years,” he concluded.
Established in 1993, Danube has an extensive portfolio of over 10,000 products ranging from MDF, plywood, timber, laminates, veneers to sanitary fittings, hardware, ironmongery, steel, aluminum and glass among other things. At present, the company operates from its head offices in a 285,000 sq ft facility in Jafza north and 365,000 sq ft area in Jafza south.
Facilities include warehouses, logistics, kiln drying and a factory. Danube currently maintains eight branches in the UAE, in addition to its global hubs in Oman, Bahrain, China and India.
Danube Building Materials FZCO was established in Dubai 14 years ago.  Danube has grown from a small trading firm in 1993 into one of the largest building materials companies in the region, with eight branches in the UAE, two in Oman, one in Bahrain, two in China and one in India.