Made in the UAE: Credibility supplied by Strata’s high flyers

Technicians at Strata’s Al Ain plant are part of a workforce of 762 that helps to keep the world’s airliners going. Courtesy Strata

Abu Dhabi // When you want to supply the world’s foremost aircraft manufacturers with parts, how do you convince them that your company is fit for the job?

That was the challenge for Strata Manufacturing, a company in Al Ain that, in the six years since its inception, has been able to drum up billions of dirhams in business by supplying parts for aviation titans Boeing and Airbus.

“If you are doing something that is high-tech, high-end and complex, and has a significant impact on the consumer, then the credibility element is very important and cannot come other than by way of experience,” said chief executive Badr Al Olama.

Strata’s 250,000 square foot plant was set up in 2009 with a commitment from Airbus to buy Dh1 billion of parts.

With investors expecting a return, and a customer demanding reliability from its supply chain, there was little room for error.

By 2013, Strata had signed deals with both Airbus and Boeing worth Dh5bn.

Today, the company can count on selling at least Dh7.5bn worth of parts to both.

Revenues have increased more than 36 times between 2010 and 2013, and last year they surpassed the Dh300m mark.

The company expects to be turning a profit by 2016-2017.

“What we have been doing is showing that the credibility we are earning is because of our results, and because of our delivery and our quality, and that builds up over time,” said Mr Al Olama, who joined Strata in 2011 as deputy chief executive, becoming chief executive in 2012.

The company’s focus is on making the movable parts in an aircraft’s wings and tail using composites, materials he said could be “harder than metal”.

In 2014, the company made 6,000 types of parts.

Today, out of 762 employees, 45 per cent of its workforce is Emirati, including 200 technicians and 100 trainees.

Of all the technical positions, 95 per cent are taken up by women, he said.

“We didn’t expect that a lot of UAE nationals would find it appealing,” he said.

“They are quite passionate, motivated and focused in what they do.

“A lot of companies see Emiratisation as filling up jobs.”

“In our context, it’s not about filling up jobs, it’s about really developing the human capital so that they can become a competitive member of the global economy.”

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Made in the UAE

An increasing flow of locally produced goods is positive news for the UAE’s energy dependent economy, but increasing manufactured exports will require overcoming some significant obstacles.

This five-part series profiles companies, products and goods, all made in the UAE.

■ Made in the UAE: New champions of UAE industry

■ Made in the UAE: Home grown success, one cup at a time

■ Made in the UAE: Video game studio helps country reach next level

■ Made in the UAE: Al Foah puts Emirati dates on the map

■ Made in the UAE: Steel producers galvanise local market