As manufacturers, commodity traders and industrial suppliers seek greater supply chain resilience and closer proximity to growth markets, Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) continues to strengthen its position as one of the region’s leading platforms for international expansion.

The latest example comes from Germany-based CREMER ERZKONTOR, which has established a new subsidiary in Dubai as part of its strategy to expand across the Middle East and Africa (MEA). The company, which specialises in the international trade, processing, recycling and logistics of raw materials and chemicals, sees the region as a key growth market driven by industrialisation, infrastructure investment and rising demand for industrial minerals and raw materials.

“With this step, we are strengthening our presence in a strategically important region and creating the foundation for further expanding our business in Africa and the Middle East,” says Nils Fleig, CEO of CREMER ERZKONTOR GmbH. “Through our new company based in Dubai, we will be able to support our customers and partners in the region even more effectively with local services and integrated supply chain solutions. At the same time, this enables us to unlock new market opportunities and further strengthen our international position.”

The new company will be led by Jessika Calderon as General Manager.

For Jafza, the move highlights a broader trend. Increasingly, global industrial companies are choosing Dubai as a base from which to manage sourcing, distribution and customer relationships across multiple regional markets.

Nils Fleig, CEO, CREMER ERZKONTOR

A strategic location

For businesses operating in sectors such as metals, chemicals, minerals and industrial materials, efficient logistics can be a critical competitive advantage. Jafza’s proximity to Jebel Ali Port, combined with direct access to air cargo, road transport and regional distribution networks, enables companies to streamline supply chains and serve customers across the GCC, Africa and South Asia.

This integrated ecosystem has helped transform Jafza into one of the region’s largest industrial clusters. Today, the free zone hosts more than 700 manufacturing companies from over 70 countries, operating across sectors including metals, food processing, chemicals, automotive and advanced manufacturing.

The free zone’s infrastructure, warehousing capabilities, customs efficiencies and multimodal connectivity are particularly attractive to industrial companies managing complex international supply chains and high-volume trade flows.

Supporting growth

According to CREMER ERZKONTOR, establishing a presence in Dubai will enable faster decision-making, closer engagement with customers and suppliers, and more efficient supply chain management. 

These are the same advantages driving a growing number of international manufacturers and industrial suppliers to establish operations in Jafza. The free zone provides a platform not only for accessing the Gulf market but also for reaching emwerging industrial centres across East and West Africa.

As supply chains continue to evolve and businesses look to diversify their regional footprints, locations that combine logistics connectivity with access to expanding industrial markets are becoming increasingly important. n

An industrial hub with global reach

The appeal of Jafza extends beyond traditional logistics advantages. The free zone has developed into a comprehensive industrial ecosystem that supports manufacturing, trading, value-added processing and regional distribution operations.

Its strategic location allows companies to connect with more than 3.5 billion consumers across key growth markets while benefiting from Dubai’s pro-business regulatory framework and industrial development initiatives.

CREMER ERZKONTOR’s latest expansion is therefore more than a new office opening. It is a reflection of how international industrial companies increasingly view Jafza as a long-term platform for growth, investment and market access.

For manufacturers, raw material suppliers and industrial service providers looking to expand in the Middle East and Africa, Jafza’s combination of connectivity, infrastructure and industrial scale continues to offer a compelling proposition. n