Kraft Foods, the global snacks powerhouse, has announced the expansion of its Nabisco Arabia biscuit plant in Dammam in partnership with Saudi-based Olayan Group as part of plans to double its production capacity. The Nabisco Arabia plant is a joint venture between Kraft and Olayan Group has been operating for almost a decade, providing regional consumers with some of their favorite products. This year marks The Olayan Group's 65th anniversary. The expansion spans 8,500 sq m and includes a new production facility that adds more capacity to production of Oreo, in addition to the range of Nabisco biscuits. – SG , infrastructural enhancements enabling maximization in floor space utilization, improved ergonomics in equipment usage, and eco-friendly refrigerant gas air-conditioning units, said a statement from Kraft Foods. In addition, the plant has undergone a remarkable increase in the employees' facilities space from 450sq m to 1350 sq m to provide them with a better working environment. Following the expansion, the Nabisco Arabia plant has a capital investment of around SR60 million ($16 million). The plant employs approximately 170 people from six different nationalities, of which around 30 per cent are Saudi, it added. The new Oreo production line was officially inaugurated on Wednesday by Lawrence MacDougall, president of Kraft Foods Middle East and Africa, Jean Marc Delpon De Vaux, president of Consumer Goods Division, Olayan Financing Company in the presence of Vishal Tikku, managing director GCC and Middle East Shared Services, Kraft Foods, Hamad A. Olayan, director of corporate affairs, Olayan Financing Co. MacDougall said: "This announcement marks the expansion of our operations in the region and is a reflection of the increasing popularity of Nabisco brands, reinforcing our positioning as 'a global snacks powerhouse' not only internationally but also in the region."
