Zubair Corp, Aramex sign deal for total supply chain solutions
New logistics centre in Barka to generate more employment opportunities

Rashad bin Mohammed al Zubair, Vice-Chairman, The Zubair Corporation and Fadi
Ghandour, founder and Chief Executive Officer, Aramex, signing the agreement.

By Kabeer Yousuf
MUSCAT — Zubair Corporation (Z-Corp), a prominent regional business conglomerate has signed an agreement with Aramex, a global logistics and transportation solutions provider to offer businesses in Oman integrated services such as warehousing and distribution, sea, air and ground transportation, freight forwarding and customs brokerage. Rashad bin Mohammed al Zubair, Vice-Chairman, The Zubair Corporation and Fadi Ghandour, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Aramex represented both sides.

According to the agreement, Z-Corp will outsource significant warehousing and logistics portfolio needs to Aramex. The joint venture will cater to a wide range of industries, including IT, telecommunications, FMCG, military, and retail business. It also provides for 160,000 sqm land to host the logistics infrastructure in Muscat and Aramex will provide 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) services for Zubair businesses in Oman. To ensure efficacy of the JV, a state-of-the-art logistics centre will be built in Oman the first phase of which will be completed by early 2011.

This will be strategically located near the Naseem Garden area of Barka that has easy access with important ports and regional logistic hubs. The new centre will be a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building as part of both companies’ commitments to sustainability. "As one of the leading diversified business groups in Oman, Z-Corp has complex and demanding logistics and supply chain requirements" said Rashad bin Mohammed Al Zubair.

"It was vital for us to partner with a flexible and adaptable service provider with a global foot print like Aramex, who is capable of delivering customised supply chain solutions yet compliant to best practices". "This agreement with Z-Corp marks an important step towards expanding the range and depth of our services in Oman while expanding our supply-chain solutions network across the MENA", Fadi Ghandour said. "Our global experience as a third-party logistics provider (3PL) allows us to provide integrated services that can be scaled and customised to fulfil Z-Corp’s demanding needs", he added.