Flexitallic LLC, the global leader in static sealing solutions, which has its UK base in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, has completed a $4m investment in a new multi-purpose facility, which will support its ambitious growth plans in the Middle East.
Over the course of the last seven years Flexitallic has gone from strength to strength and established a strong foothold from its original headquarters in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, where it produces a range of sealing solutions for markets including petrochemical, oil & gas, automotive, marine and aerospace.
The new facility, which is located on the Al Hamra Industrial Area, in Ras Al Khaimah, has been built on a 10,000m2 plot of land and provides a manufacturing and warehousing footprint of 3,500m2, greatly expanding the company’s capacity and has enough remaining space to accommodate further increases in capital, when the need arises.
This major landmark in the company’s history coincides with the appointment of a new Managing Director. Experienced gasket and sealing specialist, Benoit Labre, who has been with the global Flexitallic group since 2006, will vacate his position as Technical Application Manager with immediate effect in order to oversee Flexitallic LLC’s operations.
With more than a decade’s experience in the industry, Benoit possesses a great deal of knowledge relating to the Middle East’s upstream and downstream petrochemical market, from which a large proportion of the company’s demand originates.
He is a member of the European Sealing Association, as well as being a member of a number of other bodies, including the CEN TC74 European standardisation committee of flanges and their joints in pipelines and piping systems.
Benoit said: “This is an exciting time at Flexitallic LLC and I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to guide it toward further success. Having so far spent more than 10 years with the Flexitallic Group, I have a comprehensive understanding of daily operations, which will allow me to get to work straight away.”
Mark Horton, Flexitallic Managing Director, Eastern Hemisphere, added: “The Middle East represents a high-growth market that is presenting a number of exciting opportunities; the region’s oil and gas industry has remained relatively buoyant during the current difficult global conditions, with many operators and contractors continuing with their own investments that require a quality range of gaskets and sealing solutions to be available on their doorstep.
“With our new multi-purpose facility completed we will be able to continue to press on with our ambitious plans and drive demand for Flexitallic’s expertise and sealing materials.”