Al Islami Foods to build new factory at Dubai TechnoPark

Despite a harsh economic turmail, Al Islami Foods today revealed determination to continue its growth plan in the region. In another milestone development, the leading halal food producer has announced an investment of over Dhs58 million in a state-of-the-art factory in Techno Park, a fully owned subsidiary of Economic Zones World.

The move is a major step forward in strengthening company's leadership across the Middle East.

The lease agreement between Techno Park and Al Islami signing ceremony was held at TechnoPark offices in Jebel Ali Dubai. The ceremony was jointly headed by Hamad Al-Hashemi, Managing Director at Techno Park and Saleh Abdullah Lootah, Chief Executive Officer, Al Islami Foods. A large number of senior officials from Al Islami and Techno Park were also present at the occasion.

�Despite global recession, our developmental plans will continue. The new facility reflects a major increase in our production capacity to meet the growing demand for our products. This landmark venture is a further testament to our continued commitment in the region to provide the Real Halal products.�, commented Saleh Abdullah Lootah, CEO, Al Islami Foods.

The new factory, will spread over 8,000 square meters of land at the most modern industrial zone of Techno Park. Al Islami intends to make this facility a base to produce top-line product portfolio for the Middle East consumers as per Al Islami’s quality standards, safety and environmental best practices. The facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2009.

While thanking the Economic Zones World for tremendous support and the provision of the best infrastructure facility, Saleh Lootah said: “Geographically, Dubai is ideally located as business centre representing the perfect location for expansion of our production capabilities for the regional markets.â€�

In line with Al Islami’s global commitment to invest in producing the authentic halal food, which is ‘animal slaughtering by a Muslim’, ‘reciting Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is Great) ‘without stunning’; all according to Islamic Shariah’. To ensure a seamless halal process, Al Islami deploys its respresentatives at slaughterhouses.

M/s International Food Systems, a US based consultancy, has been appointed as a specialized company in building food factories. In addition, Arachdome, the design consultants has been appointed to design the state-of-the-art production facility.

About Al Islami Foods

Established as CO-OP ISLAMI in 1981 to cater to the growing demand for halal food in the Arab world, AL ISLAMI FOODS was formed as a result of the long relentless efforts commenced in the early seventies when Hajj Saeed Bin Ahmad Lootah instituted Dubai Co-operative Society. Starting with its successful frozen chicken product line, AL ISLAMI FOODS further expanded its operations to include processed meat. In 1991, Dubai Co-operative Society's efforts were culminated by establishing its "CO-OP ISLAMI" meat processing plant in Jebel Ali Free Zone. This plant is considered a recognizable breakthrough as it became the real producer of a variety of food products under the name "CO-OP ISLAMI. In 2006, CO-OP ISLAMI was re-launched as AL ISLAMI FOODS in an effort to propel the company to new heights of success. Now, Al Islami Foods products are considered as a quality benchmark trusted by consumers across the UAE and the GCC, and this has made it one of the best and most preferred brands in the region.