CP Kelco commemorated the expansion of its Dubai office, including a new laboratory for food and beverage applications, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and site tour for customers and distributors on October 11, 2016. CP Kelco senior executives who hosted the event were (pictured, left to right): Klaus Bjerrum, SVP, Growth & Innovation; Don Rubright, President; and Jerome Bera, SVP, Global Marketing & Commercial
(Left to right): Klaus Bjerrum, senior vice-president of Growth & Innovation; Don Rubright, president; and Jerome Bera, senior vice-president of Global Marketing & Commercial.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — CP Kelco, a global producer of specialty hydrocolloid solutions, has expanded its Dubai office, including a new laboratory for food and beverage applications. The company on Oct. 11 held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and site tour for customers and distributors, hosted by senior management of the company, including Don Rubright, president of CP Kelco.

“Since 2013, our Dubai office has made tremendous strides in developing business and providing services to customers and regional distributors throughout the Middle East in the food/beverage, consumer goods and industrial segments,” Mr. Rubright said. “Having recognized the growth potential across the region, we have invested in local talent and capabilities to continue developing our business and enhancing our ability to bring new products to the marketplace.”

With the expansion, CP Kelco’s presence in Dubai now includes a sales and technical support team that covers the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. The new laboratory in the Dubai facility will offer “stronger and more efficient technical support” from CP Kelco, allowing food and beverage manufacturers across the region to accelerate the product development process, the company said. Additionally, the new facility will enable:

• More rapid resolution of issues and/or development of new concepts addressing market needs;

• Use of local raw materials and local production of prototypes, enabling faster time to market for new product launches;

• Trial runs with customers in the laboratory to fast-track new product development;

• Local technical training on CP Kelco products and related applications.

Mr. Rubright said the ability to be more responsive and to improve service levels across a broad range of customers is a top priority for CP Kelco.