Global provider of packaging solutions Sidel is opening an office in Dubai and a regional HQ in Frankfurt, Germany, as part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring global experience backed by local sales and service support through proximity to customers. A modern new facility will operate as Sidel’s Dubai HQ, serving its customers in the Greater Middle East and Africa, while the HQ in Frankfurt will serve customers in Europe and Central Asia. Both offices will be fully operational by September 2013.

The moves have been bought about by the reorganisation of the way Sidel serves its customers in different markets. The creation of a Greater Middle East and Africa zone recognises the fact that customers in these markets are facing similar challenges, as is also the case with those operating in Europe and Central Asia. The opening of the two new HQ’s, with the setting up of teams dedicated specifically to these zones, allows Sidel to focus its efforts and expertise on meeting the challenges.

The new Dubai facility will cater to the Gulf state, which is becoming an important hub for the industry with a number of Sidel’s customers taking advantage of leading edge infrastructure, transport and communications links.

Speaking about the longer term opportunities for the Greater Middle East and Africa, Clive Smith, Zone Vice President, said: “We see excellent prospects for Sidel in the Greater Middle East and Africa. In many ways the markets here are at a similar level of maturity with customers facing many similar challenges. This means we can focus the expertise we have built over 150 years on helping them meet those challenges with complete line solutions across PET, glass and can and all product lines.”

Western Europe is a very dynamic region for the beverage industry, and as the strongest European economy, Germany offers a highly-skilled workforce which Sidel believes can support its ambitions for business in the zone. Moreover, the new HQ will take advantage of the Frankfurt hub, to shorten the distance within the company and its customers in the region.

Sidel also recently launched Matrix, a brand new platform which builds upon the company’s 150-year history and 50 years working with PET experience that offers “a reliable, ergonomic and safe design, with highly efficient and hygienic production methods.”