Daily Times

LAHORE: Sika, a Swiss construction chemical manufacturing company, expanded its footprint by inaugurating its manufacturing plant in Sundar Industrial Area Lahore. The announcement was made in a press conference held at the Avari Hotel.

The fully automated manufacturing facility is Pakistan’s first ever LEED (leadership in energy and environmental design) certified construction chemical plant-LEED is an international rating system for buildings which evaluates environmental performance and awards points across several areas that address sustainability.

The factory will produce mortars and liquid products of construction chemicals locally. Local production will bring quality products closer to their customers and to contribute to economy of Pakistan by decreasing imports. The factory will be resource efficient as it will save 20% energy, 50% water efficiency and 30% better indoor air quality in comparison to any other industrial facility in Pakistan, Sika said, adding that it will create 150 jobs directly and 1000 jobs indirectly by 2020.

The press conference was chaired by Swiss Ambassador in Pakistan Thomas Kolly, others in attendance were: Sika Middle East head & Sika Pakistan Director Miljan Gutovic, Sika Pakistan CEO/GM Naveed Chaudhary, Punjab Board of Investment & Trade CEO Jahanzeb Burana, Pakistan Green Building Council & Side Works CEO Aqrab Rana and Swiss Business Council President Farhat Ali.

Speaking at the occasion, Swiss Ambassador Thomas Kolly said, “Switzerland and Pakistan have a good positive relationship; we are very happy to have strong economic ties with Pakistan. Sika’s new manufacturing facility is another remarkable step towards strengthening further the bilateral trade relations between the two countries and I am confident that this relationship will continue to flourish in the future.” Sika Middle East head & Sika Pakistan Director Miljan Gutovic said, “We encourage foreign direct investment; Sika Pakistan is the proof of good relationship with Pakistan. We are happy to announce the new plant in Pakistan. With the launch of this plant, Sika intends to provide custom made products for our valued customers in Pakistan. We will continue to bring innovations to meet local requirements and at the same time improve quality of the construction chemical market in Pakistan.” Speaking at the occasion Sika Pakistan CEO/GM Naveed Chaudhry said, “I am very happy today that we have opened our new plant. We want Sika to come close to the consumer due to its quality and expanded footprint. We are eager to expand in Pakistan. We are hoping to create new and happy Pakistan for our next generation.” The press conference was followed by a launch event which was attended by government officials, top businessmen and architects of the country. The night ended with a musical performance by Sajjad Ali.

Published in Daily Times, November 9^th 2017.