Turner & Townsend has been appointed to oversee construction at Unilever’s new $360m (AED1bn) in Dubai, UAE.
As part of the contract, the consultancy will provide project and cost management services at the project.
Unilever’s latest investment will enable the consumer brand company to expand its personal care product offering across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The factory is expected to create up to 400 jobs.
Commenting on the contract win, Mike Collings, Turner & Townsend’s Middle East managing director, said: “Having worked successfully with Unilever on multiple occasions, we have a clear understanding of [its] expectations, so we are well positioned to deliver high-quality, finished product, which will exemplify best practice in environmental friendly construction.
“As the UAE continues to diversify into non-oil sectors, this project represents a significant investment in the region’s manufacturing industries – a venture we’re proud to be a part of.”
Unilever’s upcoming manufacturing facility is being designed in line with the firm’s Sustainable Living Plan, and will send zero waste to landfill.
Turner & Townsend will take charge of planning and contract administration services, supporting the procurement strategy, ensuring effective value engineering, and implementing risk management processes, according to the stakeholders.
Ahmed Kadous, supply chain director at Unilever Gulf, stated: “We’ve worked with Turner & Townsend before, so we’re confident in [its] ability to deliver the latest and best practice while working on this project.
“Our decision to continue investing in Dubai was the result of the steady rise in demand for quality personal care products in the region. In addition to that, the new facility will assist us in achieving our long-term vision; doubling the size of our business while halving our environmental footprint,” he added.