Dubai Cable Company Limited (Ducab) is building a state-of-the-art factory in Abu Dhabi, its first major expansion outside its Dubai base, according to reports.

The facility, being built in Mussafah, will increase the combined copper processing capacity of Ducab in the two plants to 60,000 tonnes from the current 35,000 tonnes at Ducab Dubai. The Abu Dhabi facility is expected to be commissioned by November 2004, and will manufacture a wide range of power cables.

Ducab will also add capacity at its existing factory in Jebel Ali in a total investment of Dh125 million ($34 million).

Ducab managing director Colin Paskins said the new Abu Dhabi plant would be financed through internal earnings and bank facilities.

"The new Ducab plant in Abu Dhabi will, however, have nearly the same production capacity as that of Ducab Dubai. Consequently, revenues too are set to double to reach Dh800 million by 2006. This will allow us to further consolidate our local and regional market share, as well as increase our exports."

Ducab (Abu Dhabi) will be built on highly advanced technology, using the best of European and Japanese expertise, according to Paskins. The design also leaves room for future expansion.

"The new factory will have all the features that have helped Ducab enhance working performance as well as safety, including the adoption of the Sigma Six performance improvement programme and the Japanese 5 S methodology for shop floor management," he added.