Oct 22 2009
The Company's seeking collaboration opportunities and partnerships to offer innovative products and build local know-how and capacity
Dow Corning, one of the world's largest silicon- based materials developers and manufacturers, has established a Middle East headquarters and commercial entity in Manama, Bahrain. The company's Bahrain operations will help Dow Corning provide the region's vibrant construction, textiles, petrochemical and oil and gas industries with silicon-based materials and solutions.
Dow Corning's Bahrain office will house engineers, chemists and sales professionals with diverse expertise in silicon-based technology. The company expects there will be as many as 20 employees working out of the office within the next year.
"The Middle East is growing rapidly and quickly diversifying its business footprint," said Dr. Stephanie A. Burns, Dow Corning's chairman, president and CEO. "We recognize the region's growing impact on the global economy and are now better positioned to share the benefits of Dow Corning's silicon-based materials and technology to help the region continue to grow and compete in the global economy over the long-term."
While Dow Corning's Bahrain office is the company's first location in the Middle East, the company has been active in the region for many years. Most recently, Dow Corning's silicone construction materials are being used in the construction of the world's tallest building, the Burj Dubai in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Dow Corning has worked closely with the building's structural engineers to ensure the building can withstand the region's high winds and extreme heat, some of the biggest challenges construction projects in the region.
"We have done extremely well to grow our business in this region in the last few years, even when servicing from afar. Now is our chance to drive business forward through both Dow Corning and our XIAMETER® brands," said Jean-Paul Mollie, Dow Corning's president, Middle East, South Asia and Africa. "With the special challenges of high temperatures, sand and wind, there will be no end of uses for the incredible silicon atom in this area. The potential is yet to be realized."
Dow Corning is seeking collaboration opportunities in the region, not just with customers, but also with academic, government and other research organizations that are focused on innovating products and process to make them more efficient and environmentally sustainable.
"Now Dow Corning will have better access to local knowledge and a better understanding of the needs of the people and businesses in the region," said Mollie. "Developing links and collaborations with academic institutions in the region will become essential and we will work alongside local governments to help fill the skill gap in local labor forces and teach and develop nearby communities."
Bahrain is the latest example, following Russia and Vietnam, of Dow Corning's effort to expand globally and represents the company's continued efforts to meet increased demand for silicone products and services around the world.
Source: http://www.dowcorning.com/