GMG eyes global expansion, launches four food manufacturing units

UAE-based retailer GMG launched four new factories to produce value-added food products.

The UAE-based conglomerate also announced its global expansion plans for six of its food brands, aiming to reach international markets across four continents over the next five years, making UAE an exporter of value-added food products.

It will also help strengthen the country’s global standing as a food exporter.

Each of the three food processing factories in GMG’s Dubai Investments Park (DIP) facility has an installed capacity of approximately 9,000 metric tonnes per annum in addition to its existing capacity, taking the site’s combined installed capacity to approximately 35,000 metric tonnes per annum.

Processing herbs and spices

The company’s fourth new factory has a capacity of 11,000 metric tonnes of herbs and spices, which includes processing mono spices in whole form, crushed form, powder, and blended spices.

The DIP facility includes various manufacturing capabilities, from butchery to meat, poultry and seafood items.

Collectively, these factories rank among the largest food production facilities in the UAE. Its herbs and spices factory in JAFZA includes processing mono spices in whole form, crushed and powdered, as well as blended spices.

The herbs and spices will be sold under both the ‘Sapora’ and ‘RUH’ brand names.

Mohammad A Baker, deputy chairman and CEO of GMG, said: “Beginning with market analysis, customer research, brand development and supported by a strong R&D division, GMG today operates cutting-edge food manufacturing facilities, making the company a true industrial titan.

“For over 45 years, GMG has been a trusted partner within the food service and retail segment industry when it comes to delivering high-quality, nutritious food products to our consumers.

“Today, with the launch of four of our state-of-the-art food manufacturing facilities, we are proud to support the ‘Make in the Emirates’ initiative while showcasing our commitment to quality and global standards that the country is known for.”

GMG factories at DIP

The manufacturing lines in GMG’s DIP facility are interchangeable and customisable, and equipped to meet current and future customer demand. These lines have been built using the best-in-class machinery from Europe and the US.

GMG’s herbs and spices factory features a fully automated seeds/spices cleaning line where they undergo a five-stage cleaning process, ensuring the final product is 99.9 per cent contaminant free.

The GMG factory uses liquid nitrogen at -195⁰C for grinding spices to retain the maximum aroma, setting it apart from competitors.

The company’s food division has grown substantially in the past four decades, starting as a small butchery shop in 1977 to becoming a leading distributor and manufacturer of some of the world’s most loved food brands.

The food division oversees its own brands, such as Farm Fresh, Klassic, Sapora, Noor Al Islami, RUH, Chef’s Choice, and Quality 1st Choice.

In September 2022, GMG inaugurated the world’s second-largest fully automated Himalayan pink salt manufacturing facility by capacity.

Located in Mina, Jebel Ali, Dubai, the facility has a capacity of 70,000 metric tonnes and can produce 200,000 kilogrammes of Himalayan pink salt per day.

Today, the food division includes six modern factories, an R&D kitchen, and a food laboratory.

These facilities cover six product lines: meat, seafood, Himalayan pink salt, herbs and spices, cold cuts and sausages, and butchery and marination.

In March, the company opened its headquarters for Africa, in District 5, Cairo.

The company’s entry into Egypt follows a major expansion into Southeast Asia, where it recently opened its Asian headquarters in Malaysia.

Read: UAE’s GMG opens new office in District 5, Cairo

Exciting times for the #GMG1Family as we move into our brand new Africa HQ office in Cairo, opening a new chapter in the history of GMG and setting the benchmark for what lies ahead for this region. Our new home in Egypt will help us grow and continue to make a difference. pic.twitter.com/uavCLPz19h

— GMG (@GMGVoice) March 13, 2023

In January, the company unveiled its ambitious growth plans in Southeast Asia (SEA).

The conglomerate aims to open 100 new stores by 2025 to support its expansion plans. The company has opened 31 stores across Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia since entering the SEA market in 2020.

Also read: GMG to ramp up growth in Southeast Asia, aims to launch 100 stores by 2025