Water technology firm Xylem opens plant in Jebel Ali

Xylem, an American water technology company, opened its manufacturing facility in Jebel Ali yesterday as part of its US$35 million investment in the region.

The 19,000 square metre plant will make equipment used for wastewater technologies, such as pumping systems. Under the company’s expansion plan, facilities will be built across the region over the next two years, using the UAE as its hub. There will also be offices for pump rental and services operation in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.

The market for water and wastewater treatment equipment is expected to reach $53.4 billion globally by 2020, according to US-based Global Industry Analysts.

Patrick Decker, Xylem’s chief executive, told The National earlier this year that the transport, treatment and testing of water regionally is worth about $1.8bn a year.

The Mena region only accounts for 5 per cent of the company’s portfolio, but Xylem has ambitions to increase that to double digits over the next few years.

“The Middle East and North Africa region has always been a priority market for us,” said Steve Leung, Xylem’s senior vice president and president of emerging markets.

The group had revenue of $3.9bn in 2014.

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