Abela owner signs lease with Abu Dhabi Ports for new Kizad hub

National Catering Company said the facility would enable it to expand its food processing business and its catering services divisions by tripling its storage capacity.

The company behind Abela Supermarkets has signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports to build a new headquarters and logistics hub at Khalifa Industrial Zone (Kizad).

National Catering Company (NCC), signed a development lease for a 25,000 square metre plot of land in the port complex for the facility that will include a central production unit, laboratories and warehousing hub.

The plant is expected to begin operating by the end of next year.

The group, one of the largest catering and food and beverage companies in the UAE, providing canteen services to government and private companies in Abu Dhabi, said that it would invest another Dh50 million building the facility.

NCC said the plant would enable it to expand its food processing business and its catering services divisions by tripling its storage capacity. It will also use the location as a hub for an online delivery platform, which is being developed through its digital supermarket brand Souq Planet.

The news comes as NCC, which since December has been 50 per cent owned by a consortium led by Abu Dhabi’s The National Investor, looks to expand to the wider GCC market. The group has also been planning a stock listing.

“By being located in Taweelah, right between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, we will significantly expand our reach to customers in both emirates and strengthen our market position,” said Tarek El Goweiny, the NCC chief executive.

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