Conares earmarks AED 200 million investments in the next five years

Conares, the second largest private steel manufacturer in the region, celebrated 25^th anniversary of the company’s operations. On this occasion, Conares announced to increase its manufacturing capacity to one million ton at its facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza).

The region’s leading provider of downstream steel products celebrated its momentous 25^th anniversary at a special ceremony held in the presence of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, CEO and Chairman of Emirates Airline and Group, Chairman of Dubai World and Chairman of Dubai Airports.

HE TP Seetharam (Indian Ambassador to the UAE), HE Salma Hareb (CEO of Jafza and Economic Zones World); Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Al Janahi (Deputy CEO of Jafza and Chief Commercial Officer of Economic Zones World), other dignitaries and guests also graced the occasion.

The state-of-the-art steel plants of Conares, spread in an area of over 1.5 million sq.ft. in Jafza, currently manufactures steel pipes and rebars. The rebars represent about 20 per cent the UAE market share and the pipes cater to 25 per cent of the total market demand in the region. Operational in these two major segments of the steel industry, Conares has grown to be a key manufacturer. Its global and regional presence gives it a competitive advantage in sourcing raw materials.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Bharat Bhatia, Founder and CEO of Conares, said, “It’s a great honour and pride for us to have all these dignitaries joining the 25^th anniversary celebrations of Conares. Our growth has remained on a buoyant trajectory over the years and this achievement has come with the continuous support and patronage of regulators and partners. I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the visionary Rulers of this great country for all that we have achieved.”

“Over the last 25 years of our operations, we have crossed significant growth milestones in the steel industry. Conares has been able to achieve such exponential growth because of the trust it has built among its stakeholders in the region and beyond. Our abilities to identify and respond to the challenges and needs of the industry are far more sharpened as we achieve this 25th anniversary milestone,” he added.

Mr. Ibrahim Al Janahi, Deputy CEO of Jafza and Chief Commercial officer of Economic Zones World, said: “I congratulate Conares on completing their 25 years. The company has grown hugely in the last 25 years carving a name for themselves as a market leader in the manufacturing of pipes. It is today considered one of the largest steel manufacturers in the region. Conares’ remarkable success can be attributed to prudent marketing strategies they followed over the years. We are fully committed to provide all support needed to enable them to continuously achieve even better growth in the coming years. Conares has announced the expansion of their facility and operations to meet the upcoming demands generated by Expo 2020.”

“The construction sector including iron and steel is one of the most important business segments in Jafza. The total trade generated by the sector crossed USD 5.6 billion in 2013. The rapidly growing demand for the construction material including iron and steel opens huge opportunities for Conares not only in the UAE but the entire region that Jafza as a hub serves. Around USD 3.45 trillion worth of projects are in the design, bid or construction stage until 2025 in the GCC and the Middle East region. The World Expo 2020 in Dubai and FIFA World Cup in Qatar have provided further boost to infrastructure spending in the region. Of the USD 1.80 trillion worth of real estate projects under construction in the GCC up to 2025, the UAE tops the list with projects worth USD 940.55 billion in the design, bid or construction stage. Saudi Arabia is second on the list with USD 461.21 billion worth of projects. We would like Conares to capitalise on these emerging opportunities,” he added.

“I am delighted to announce that we are on track to complete an AED 100 million expansion of Conares manufacturing capacity for steel pipes in Jafza. The expansion is aimed at serving the domestic market as well as exploring export opportunities. The new line is expected to be commissioned by the fourth quarter of the current year. This would help us meet the demand for infrastructure developmental activities ongoing in Dubai to prepare for hosting Expo 2020,” Mr. Bhatia further said.

“The annual turnover of Conares has touched AED 1 billion; and as part of Conares Vision 2020, the company has earmarked AED 200 million investments in the next five years in diversified manufacturing facilities. This investment includes the ongoing AED 100 million capacity expansion. At this stage, all our investments will be made in Jebel Ali Free Zone. The support we have from the Jafza authorities is incredible.”

“We also aim to join our hands as partners in India’s growth story. Leveraging the signs of economic boom, we are eying opportunities for steel export to India catering to the new smart city and industrial cluster projects in difference parts of the country,” he elaborated on.

The story behind the establishment of Conares is that of a long and inspiring journey that dates back to three decades. It was in 2005 that Conares built the plant for a small diameter pipes and tubes, and later, in 2011, adding the capacity for steel rebars. In 2000, Mr. Bhatia took a large plot of land at Jafza and set up a steel-trading center. The plot located nearby the port helped Conares run the business very well. It is at this place Conares built its new office, storage facility and later added the steel manufacturing plant for ERW pipes in the first phase and started its first production line in 2005. Conares evolved from a traditional singular proprietor trading outlet in the mid-1990s to a structured manufacturing company at present, in a way very similar to the evolution of Mr. Bharat Bhatia’s career as an entrepreneur.

“Looking back,” Mr. Bhatia remarks, “We have been fortunate enough to grow up in the backdrop of the phenomenal growth of Dubai which encouraged us to match the pace of the city’s growth. As a result, from modest beginnings, today Conares is the region’s second-largest manufacturer of steel pipes and rebars, the only private manufacturer in the UAE and is among the three major steel rebar mills continuously operating in the country.”

“Since the establishment of Conares in 2000, we have systematically driven forward our robust development strategy, with focus on delivering highest quality products to projects in different industry segments meeting the raising demands in the regional markets. We have been able to implement the changes and adapt new strategies in line with the market conditions. Our global market presence has allowed us to balance the challenges, while our conservative approach to risks balanced with the aggressive desire to succeed,” Mr. Bhatia concluded.

About Conares

With its foothold securely placed in the steel industry, Conares is the one of the largest and the only private steel manufacturers in the region. Since its inception in 2000, Conares initially focused on steel trading. Having built extensive partnerships with renowned steel plants across the world, it brought the world-best competencies to the region, by setting up its own state of art manufacturing facilities in UAE.

As the Middle East focuses on infrastructure development, Conares serves as the perfect partner to meet the growing industry requirements for steel rebars and pipes. A diversified and full-fledged manufacturing facility based in the UAE, the strategic hub between the East and the West, Conares today is the premier producer of quality steel products for wide-ranging needs; is in line to have a total manufacturing capacity of more than 1,000,000 MT annually. Conares earned various international product certifications for its various steel products, which it serves in the fledgling construction industry in the region and abroad. Meanwhile, its on-going efforts in streamlining its manufacturing operations to be safe for its employees and community have earned the company its sustainability certification from UK CARES Sustainability Scheme.

From its central location in Dubai, UAE; Conares serves an extensive network of clientele including pre-engineering companies, steel trading companies and construction majors not in the Middle East but across wider markets that are easily accessed from its headquarters. Led by a team of experienced and skilled professionals, Conares today employs more than 500 people. Conares has set new benchmarks in the steel industry through its commitment to quality, excellence and service standards. A trusted name in the industry, Conares is led by the vision to support the region’s infrastructure development by providing world-class steel products through long-term partnerships. At Conares every business partnership, each product, every process and any aspect of service is defined by three core values – Trust, Quality & Strength.