Hawick-based Emtelle Group said it has signed an agreement to build and establish one of the world’s largest factories for the manufacture of fibre optic ducting and “pre-connectorised solutions” in Abu Dhabi.
Emtelle Group calls itself a global manufacturer of “pre-connectorised blown fibre, cabling and ducted solutions.”
Emtelle said it will invest around $50 million (£42m) in the United Arab Emirates facility under a build-to-suit (BTS) agreement with Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD Group.
“The massive new facility is a huge statement of intent from Emtelle as it looks to further expand its worldwide footprint in the FTTX industry, and meet the demands of its growing customer base in the Middle East and Asia Pacific,” said the Hawick company.
“It will provide Emtelle with the opportunity to expand its manufacturing capacity, turbocharging fibre deployment in the region.
“It will also help Emtelle boost its presence in key markets including the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Iraq, and Oman, as well as the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.
“At the facility, they will operate state-of-the-art machines to provide customers with the company’s market-leading microducting, bundledducting and pre-connectorised solutions for fibre-optic networks.
“This technology will directly feed into the booming FTTH and FTTX sectors, providing millions of people with the opportunity to enjoy more resilient, ultrafast connectivity.”
Emtelle Group CEO Tony Rodgers said: “This agreement marks a transformative day for Emtelle, the Middle East and Asia Pacific and the world. It is a huge statement of intent by Emtelle as we will have the manufacturing space needed to ramp up our capacity.
“In turn, this will significantly shorten supply chains and guarantee both existing and new customers security of supply.
“This will allow countries across the Middle East and Asia Pacific the ability to significantly enhance their fibre networks at rapid speed, meeting the current environment of unprecedented demand for blown fibre, cabling and ducted solutions.
“Emtelle’s journey has been one of continuous innovation developing high quality blown fibre and duct solutions.
“It is our mission to innovate and develop new products to meet the rising demand and respond effectively to customers’ requirements to deliver products that support a more sustainable and future-proof digital infrastructure.”
Sanjay Nischal, Managing Director (Middle East & Asia Pacific) at Emtelle Group, said: “This signing re-affirms Emtelle’s commitment to the region and especially the U.A.E.
“This facility will export 95% of its manufactured products globally, leveraging the end-to-end infrastructure presented to us by KEZAD.
“Emtelle can now assist its customers to enhance the speed of deployment and the reliability of their fibre optic networks, especially when it comes to fibre-to-the-home deployment.”
Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, CEO Khalifa Economic Zones, Abu Dhabi – KEZAD Group said: “The UAE has always been at the forefront of technological advancement in the region. Emtelle’s establishment of their central global hub in Abu Dhabi speaks volumes of KEZAD’s ability to connect businesses to the world.
“Today, we are proud to be at the beginning of an era where digital connectivity of the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region will be made in KEZAD.”