Ducab, a leading manufacturer of high-quality power cables in the Middle East, says it started 2009 slower than it would have liked but has not given out on optimisim.
“Off take of cable has reduced, particularly in Dubai,” said managing director Andrew Shaw.  “But we are optimistic. Though Dubai has slowed down, markets like Abu Dhabi and Qatar are in a different stage of development. We are also selling in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait.” 
Shaw said the strong fundamentals the company built over the years were proving their “inherent” strength now.
“There are challenges in the markets which we have to adapt to, but there are opportunities for well-prepared and strong companies,” he observed.
“We will continue to grow and develop during 2009 and beyond, building on the strengths and capitalising on the opportunities. An important part of this strength is our brand name and reputation.”
2008 was very good in terms of growth and expansion. The company expanded its capacity by 60 per cent, purchasing an additional factory in Abu Dhabi, opening a copper rod plant and expanding by 50 per cent its existing facility in Abu Dhabi. It ended the year with 100,000 copper tonnes capacity up from 60,000 copper tonnes in 2007.”
The company recently opened a new sales office in Saudi and wants to move ahead with its expansion plans for the GCC region.
“Our expansion in Abu Dhabi is well placed to serve this important market. The copper rod plant is receiving good response from across the region. Our capacity is now one of the largest in the region and we can now offer the right product, lead times and service to even more customers across the region,” said Shaw.
Ducab is jointly owned by the Governments of Dubai and Abu Dhabi and has one of the most modern manufacturing units in the region, occupying an area of 590,000 sq m of land in Jebel Ali (one facility), Dubai, and nearly 200,000 sq m in Mussafah (three facilities), Abu Dhabi. Ducab’s product range covers high voltage cables up to 132 kV, Ducab Powerplus medium voltage cables up to 33 kV, low voltage power cables, control and auxiliary, wiring and lead-sheathed cables, Ducab-Smokemaster, low-smoke and fume cables, and Ducab-FR, fire resistance cables
Though the sales figures have not yet been finalised for 2008, Shaw says Ducab was targeting around Dh 3.5 billion in 2008. For the current year too the company is targeting growth in terms of volume, despite the current economic slowdown.