An internal note: MPCC set to open in the UAE!

As Hemant, Connor, Matt and Connie prepare to officially open the UAE Warehouse in the Fujairah Free Zone, we take a look at what this means for the company as a whole. 

Though Fujairah may not be the most famous of the seven Emirates that comprise the UAE, it has the unique distinction of being the only Emirate on the East Coast, with direct access to the Gulf of Oman and therefore to the Indian Ocean via the Arabian Sea. In fact, so busy is the port of Fujairah that it ranks in the top three bunkering (refuelling) locations in the world. The Fujairah Free Zone itself is located adjacent to the port of Fujairah, giving us unique access to vessels passing through from Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Far East and North America, whilst affording exemption from corporate income tax, import and export duties, and value-added tax (VAT) for most goods and services.

What does this mean for MPCC and its customers? For us, it means we have inbuilt resilience in our stockholding. By holding stock on two different continents, we have business continuity should we find ourselves in a disaster recovery situation such as a fire or flood. It also means we can provide an even better standard of service to our customers, offering onboard deliveries directly to vessels whilst in the port. Although the UAE warehouse in no way replaces our UK distribution centre, it compliments it, allowing us to be increasingly flexible and versatile in the way in which we serve our client base. 

For our customers, it means faster deliveries and reduced shipping costs. No longer do they need to wait for consignments to make their way from the UK to the Middle East; With stock held regionally, customers can receive their orders from the UAE earlier than they would from the UK. It also allows collection to become an option when vessels call at Fujairah Port, making us an even more attractive option to existing and potential customers. 

As MPCC expands and develops, it creates exciting new opportunities for all of us to progress within the business. Next month, we'll be taking a look at the career paths some of our colleagues have taken and the growth they have achieved thanks to the expansion of the company.