Finland-based stainless steel producer Outokumpu has announced the expansion of its operations in the Middle East with the opening of a sales company in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The new sales company will be the contact point for the entire range of Outokumpu products and services, and is to serve mainly the oil and gas, desalination, petrochemical, energy, and building and construction industries.
The expansion is in line with Outokumpu's strategy to strengthen its presence outside western European markets and to improve its ability to serve end-user and project customers globally in an optimal way.
The company has already built a major presence in the stainless tubular products markets in the Middle East, by establishing in February 2008 a JV with Saudi Arabian architectural stainless steel producer Armetal. The JV company, named Outokumpu Armetal Stainless Pipe Co., Ltd, based in Riyadh, is specialized in the production and sales of welded pipes, tubes and sheet products.