Sika, a Switzerland-based specialty chemicals company, has expanded its presence in Saudi Arabia by opening a new production plant for concrete admixtures
Located in Dammam on the east coast of the country, the new factory enables Sika not only to increase its production capacity but also, in particular, to optimise its logistics and its cost structure, according to the company press statement.
Up to now, Sika supplied its customers in the Riyadh as well as on the east coast with concrete admixtures from the plant in Rabigh, which is located 1,500km and 1,100km away from Dammam and Riyadh respectively.
The new production facility in Dammam will greatly reduce transport distances. It is also ideally positioned to potentially supply customers in neighbouring markets around the GCC.
Ivo Sch?dler, regional manager EMEA, said, ?Producing locally in Dammam brings us closer to our customers on the east coast of Saudi Arabia and opens up further growth potential. At the same time, the optimised supply chain will help strengthen our competitiveness in the market.?
With its Vision 2030 and its National Transformation Program, Saudi Arabia wants to reduce its dependence on crude oil and diversify its economy. A range of mega-projects involving huge infrastructure investments will push up demand in the construction sector.
The equivalent of US$505bn is to be invested in the Neom project alone. This entails the construction of a new city and the world?s most modern technology park.
