PM Group begins work on a major EUR45m food facility for Halwani Bros. in Saudi Arabia
PM Group, the international engineering and architecture and project management firm, is currently working on a range of projects in the Gulf region with a capital value close on EUR360m, and has just begun work on a major multi-million dollar development project for Halwani Bros, one of the Gulf’s oldest food manufacturing companies with major production plants in Jeddah and Egypt.
The announcement was made during this week’s Enterprise Ireland trade mission of 45 companies to Saudi Arabia and Qatar led by Minister of State for Trade and Development, Jan O’Sullivan T.D.
The new EUR$45m complex incorporates four separate sections for tahina and halawa; jams and foods; dairy and cheese and meat products. In 2010 PM Group began working with Halwani Bros. on their Phase I development which comprises a 10,000 sqm facility for confectionary manufacture, sugar and contract packaging. Phase II will see a new 50,000 sqm state of the art facility that will supply food products to Saudi Arabia and also for export, where Halwani Bros. have a growing footprint in Europe and the US.
The commencement of Halwani Bros’ Phase II marks the further growth of PM Group in Saudi Arabia, who recently expanded their operations and services from their base in Riyadh.
Donal Hutchinson, Managing Director – MENA, PM Group said,
"We continue to see tremendous opportunities in Saudi Arabia. The recent investment made to expand our operations and service levels here has already proven worthwhile. Our involvement in the new food facility for Halwani Bros. is a testament to the hard work and effort of our expert teams on the ground and the support we have from the rest of the group. Food engineering is a sector in which PM Group excels and where we have built a considerable reputation working with the world’s leading multi-national organisations over the past 35 years." "We have now been working in the region since 2008 and have been very privileged to secure work with a range of high quality indigenous companies who are keen to implement international standard facilities in the high tech food, pharmaceutical, data centre and healthcare sectors."
Welcoming the announcement Minister O’Sullivan said:
‘This is another major win for an Irish company that has carved out a highly successful business in international markets. The scale of this project is a testament to the high standing in which PM Group is held in this market. They are recognized for their world class services and their success underpins the strong message that Irish companies can and do succeed in this vast and growing market’.
Frank Ryan, CEO of Enterprise Ireland added:
‘Saudi Arabia is a very important high growth market for Irish exports. The success of PM Group is evidence of just what can be achieved. The 45 companies taking part in this trade mission show how diverse the business opportunities are for ambitious and innovative companies. Enterprise Ireland is working with them in the region to strengthen their business links in the Gulf States, develop strategic partnerships and win new business contracts. This trade mission is a critical activity in supporting them to expand their market presence’.