Latest news with #localproduction
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Haleon captures over 20% market share in Egypt, locally manufactures 90% of product portfolio
Egypt - Haleon, the global consumer health leader, has reinforced its footprint in Egypt following its demerger from GSK in July 2022. The company now holds over 20% of Egypt's consumer health market and manufactures approximately 90% of its flagship brands locally, according to Asif Alavi, General Manager for North Africa at Haleon. Speaking to Daily News Egypt, Alavi said that local production covers trusted household names such as Sensodyne, Parodontax, Panadol, Otrivin, and Voltaren Emulgel, underscoring Haleon's commitment to supply chain resilience and economic contribution through technology transfer and export capabilities. Egypt serves as a key regional base for exports to the Maghreb, Gulf countries, and Saudi Arabia. Alavi emphasized that local manufacturing has helped shield the company from global economic volatility, including inflation, currency fluctuations, and supply chain disruptions. 'Our strategy has significantly minimized exposure to global shocks, enabling us to maintain stability and accessibility in the Egyptian market,' he noted. Globally, Haleon is advancing its innovation pipeline, including a £130m investment in a new Global Oral Health Innovation Centre in Weybridge, UK, slated to open in 2027. The facility will support Haleon's category leadership in oral health and accelerate R&D for key brands like Sensodyne, which Alavi described as resilient due to its therapeutic value and strong dentist recommendations—even during economic downturns. Recognizing the price sensitivity in emerging markets, Haleon has adopted a multi-format, tiered pricing strategy to ensure broad accessibility. The company also champions self-care as a cornerstone of sustainable healthcare. Alavi cited research by the Global Self-Care Federation, which estimates self-care interventions have already delivered $119bn in global healthcare cost savings and $1.9trn in welfare gains—divs projected to rise to $179bn and $2.8trn, respectively. Looking ahead, Alavi reaffirmed Haleon's long-term vision in Egypt: 'We are committed to being a core contributor to the Egyptian healthcare ecosystem—by making everyday health more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable.' © 2024 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
China's Xinxing invests $150mln in ductile iron pipe plant in Egypt
Egypt - Deputy Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, Sayed Ismail, toured the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) this week, visiting the newly established Chinese Xinxing factory for ductile iron pipe production. During his visit, Ismail inspected all stages of the manufacturing process—from the assembly of local components and smelting, to centrifugal casting, protective coating application, and final product testing. He was briefed by Xinxing officials on the company's global experience in large-scale infrastructure projects and its interest in partnering with Egyptian firms and entities affiliated with the Ministry of Housing. The Deputy Minister emphasized the strategic significance of the Xinxing plant, which aims to localize the production of ductile iron pipes—critical components in major national infrastructure and utility projects. By producing locally, the plant will help reduce reliance on imports, lower procurement costs, and support exports to African and Gulf markets. Xinxing representatives noted that the facility, located within the 'TEDA–Egypt' industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, spans an area of 270,500 square meters. The total investment in the project stands at approximately $150m. The plant is expected to create 700 direct jobs and an additional 220 indirect employment opportunities. It boasts an annual production capacity of 250,000 tonnes of ductile iron pipes, with diameters of up to 2,600 mm, tailored to the specifications of various national projects. Ismail reaffirmed the Ministry's full support for the initiative, in line with Egypt's broader national strategy to expand domestic manufacturing capabilities and open new export markets across Africa and the Arabian Gulf. He also underscored the importance of competitive pricing and the prioritization of local content in procurement by government-affiliated bodies. 'These serious investments reflect the confidence of international companies in Egypt's industrial potential,' he said, expressing optimism about further opportunities for industrial cooperation across Egypt's 27 governorates and 44 new cities.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE sets the stage for industrial self-sufficiency
As global supply chains face unprecedented shifts and trade dynamics grow more complex, the UAE is stepping forward with a clear vision: to reshape its industrial future from within. At the heart of this transformation is the Make it in the Emirates initiative, led by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). More than just a campaign, it's a strategic movement aimed at localising production, strengthening economic resilience, and positioning the UAE as the industrial gateway to the wider Middle East. The event runs until May 22 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), where the fourth edition of the Make it in the Emirates Forum is going to unfold under the theme 'Advanced Industries Accelerated'. Bringing together over 1,300 delegates, including top government officials, global investors, and industry innovators, the forum is set to spotlight opportunities across 12 priority sectors, driving new partnerships and unlocking long-term industrial growth. One of the most significant announcements in the lead-up to this year's forum is the UAE's ambitious plan to locally manufacture 2,000 essential products that are currently imported. Announced by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, this move aims to achieve strategic self-sufficiency while supporting high-demand industries such as healthcare, food production, energy, space technology, and construction materials. 'By identifying these 2,000 essential imported products, we are creating a roadmap for businesses and investors to tap into priority sectors with strong domestic demand,' Al Jaber stated during a recent press conference. 'This is not just a call for investment - it's a call to innovate, collaborate and build a future-ready industrial base for the UAE.' The updated focus goes well beyond traditional sectors. While metals, petrochemicals, and machinery remain vital, the forum will also spotlight fast-growing industries including electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and advanced technologies. The UAE-based manufacturers are encouraged to seize these opportunities, with support from national procurement strategies and long-term government partnerships. Economic resilience through local production The shift towards self-reliant manufacturing is more than just a response to global supply chain volatility - it is a strategic economic pivot. In 2024, the UAE recorded a foreign trade volume exceeding Dh5 trillion, with a trade surplus of over Dh490 billion. However, as global geopolitical shifts, protectionist policies, and trade tariffs create uncertainty, the UAE is doubling down on domestic capabilities to ensure uninterrupted access to critical goods and materials. Al Jaber highlighted how the UAE is leveraging its geographic advantages, strong logistics infrastructure, and regulatory transparency to build bridges with global manufacturers and partners. 'We are distinguished by our adaptability,' he noted. 'The UAE is not just keeping pace with global trends - it is helping to define them.' The Make it in the Emirates platform is as much about enabling business as it is about building factories. Investors attending the forum are introduced to a suite of competitive incentives — from advanced technology and equipment financing via Emirates Development Bank (EDB), to long-term golden residency visas, and full foreign ownership options across most sectors. The government also offers robust support through export credit insurance, favourable land lease terms, and streamlined licensing procedures. This business-friendly environment is backed by access to global markets through an extensive network of trade agreements, allowing manufacturers to re-export with ease. Furthermore, the forum provides exceptional visibility into national procurement needs. By aligning industrial priorities with purchasing plans of the UAE's largest companies, the initiative offers unmatched clarity and confidence to investors planning long-term operations. From platform to national programme What began as an industrial forum has now evolved into a comprehensive economic programme. The Make it in the Emirates platform has grown to reflect the UAE's overarching industrial strategy: to diversify the economy, increase the contribution of the manufacturing sector to GDP, and create a sustainable base of high-value jobs. In fact, 12 of the UAE's largest companies have already identified more than 300 products across 11 sectors for local production. With a combined purchase value of Dh110 billion, these agreements are expected to add Dh6 billion annually to the GDP. This year's edition will go further, with a focus on product localisation and showcasing over 5,000 goods now made in the UAE. From textiles and crafts to space tech and AI-driven manufacturing, the forum highlights the country's industrial evolution and its readiness to lead in the fourth industrial revolution. A shared vision As Al Jaber puts it, Make it in the Emirates is 'more than just an event — it's a movement.' It brings together manufacturers, government agencies, financiers, entrepreneurs, and technology leaders with a shared goal: building an inclusive and sustainable industrial future. The forum's theme, Invest, Partner, Grow, reflects a broader national ambition — one rooted in economic diversification, regional cooperation, and global competitiveness. It is a signal to the world that the UAE is not just open for business, it is actively shaping the business of tomorrow. With the tools, infrastructure, leadership, and vision in place, the UAE's call to 'make it' is now louder and more compelling than ever. And for those looking to be part of the Middle East's industrial revolution, there may be no better time or place to start.
ABC News
17-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Push to bring clothes manufacturing back to Australia ramps up due to trade war
During Australian Fashion Week last week, models walked the runway clothed by home-grown designers, but while the designs were local, the outfits themselves were made overseas. As the industry's luminaries gathered to celebrate, the escalating trade war between the United States and China cast a long shadow. Determined to future-proof the industry from rising costs and tariff uncertainty, the Australian Fashion Council is embarking on a bold plan to bring the textile industry home. While welcomed by wool and cotton farmers, there are concerns the economic reality of the supply chain may scupper any home-made dreams. In the 1950s, Australia's 'rag trade' was booming. Surry Hills in Sydney and Flinders Lane in Melbourne were bursting with garment manufacturing factories and workshops. But as worker shortages and rising electricity costs combined with cheaper labour overseas, much of it moved offshore. The fashion council, which represents the industry, now estimates 97 per cent of Australia's $28 billion of fashion is produced overseas. "Our sector is at a critical tipping point," chief executive Jaana Quaintance-James said. "We've identified an urgent need for a national manufacturing strategy — one that safeguards jobs, restores technical capability, and strengthens our global competitiveness." Partnering with RM Williams, which has been manufacturing clothing and shoes in Adelaide since 1932, the council will hold six industry consultation sessions, with the full detail of the strategy to be delivered in late 2025. Ms Quaintance-James said the plan would also help job creation. "You're supporting the payment of local taxes, and a broader kind of economic and social development in Australia," she said. Rising trade tension over tariffs between the United States and China has contributed to the sense of urgency. Ms Quaintance-James said while China was the engine room of global textile production, the US was a growing market for Australian fashion houses. With most of the cotton and wool produced in Australia being processed in China, Australia's fashion industry has become collateral as a key customer goes to war with the industry's main supplier. Ms Quaintance-James said news of a 90-day pause of the escalation between the two nations had come as a relief, but it highlighted the vulnerability at the core of the supply chain. Along with less exposure to global volatility, she said a return to domestic manufacturing offered other practical advantages, such as supply chain transparency and shorter lead times in textile production. To make clothes you need fabric, which can either be synthetic or natural. Most synthetic fibres such as polyester or nylon are made from petrochemicals, and it is estimated 70 per cent of the global supply is manufactured in China. Natural fibres can be sourced from plants, such as cotton, or animals, such as sheep. The raw product needs to be processed, which includes cleaning, spinning and weaving, and like garment manufacturing, it is almost all done offshore. Australia is a leading producer of cotton and wool, though both industries have struggled in recent years; the cotton industry faced a trade ban from China in 2020 while Australian wool production this year fell to a 100-year low. Adam Kay, chief executive of grower group Cotton Australia, said the last local cotton spinning mills moved offshore 20 years ago, under pressure from rising labour costs. He said that issue had largely been overcome through automation, but now the high cost of electricity would be a barrier to re-establishing the industry. Mr Kay said the cotton industry already worked with more than 50 fashion brands across the country to supply Australian-grown cotton. "Having a spinning mill locally and doing that next stage of processing, and maybe going all the way through to garment manufacturer, it really is a more circular economy," he said. "It could really reduce the carbon miles that the products have." As Australian wool producers stare down historically low production, seeing wool take centre stage at the Met gala in New York earlier this month was heartening. Considered fashion's biggest night of the year, the annual fundraising gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City invites A-List celebrities to dress in a theme — this year it was "tailored to you". Australian Wool Innovation's global marketing projects manager Catherine Veltman said several major brands chose to showcase wool outfits this year, which would lift the fibre's profile. Attracting 15 million views to its live-stream and countless commentaries, Ms Veltman hoped the exposure would encourage mainstream brands and ultimately consumers to consider wool. If Australia is to turn back the clock textile manufacturing, Ms Quaintance-James said the national strategy would require a co-ordinated effort from government and the private sector. "Tariffs are just the latest example. In COVID, we were unable to produce our own healthcare uniforms," she said. "And we're in exactly the same situation. We have not evolved from that. "So when are we going to learn this lesson?"
Reuters
12-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Budweiser-maker AB InBev to invest $300 million in US facilities
May 12 (Reuters) - Anheuser-Busch InBev ( opens new tab said on Monday it would invest $300 million in its manufacturing operations in the United States this year amid a push for local production under President Donald Trump. The Budweiser maker, which said it invested nearly $2 billion over the last five years in 100 facilities across the country, also announced the launch of a new plant in Columbus, Ohio. The brewer reported a rise in first-quarter profit last week, more than double the increase expected by analysts and boosting its profit margins despite a fall in sales volumes. It said it makes nearly all its domestic sales locally, AB InBev had previously said it was boosting investments in key brands such as Budweiser and ramping up efforts to grow at-home consumption, as spending elsewhere - including in bars - remains pressured.
