Depa's vertical expansion strategy pays dividends

Recently Depa have acquired contracts worth more than AED 40 million including the complete fit out of the Four Seasons Mumbai, the first Four Seasons brand in the Indian Sub Continent.

The contract wins follow a period of vertical expansion which began with the acquisition of a 16.8 per cent stake in Design Studio, a Singapore-based manufacturer of quality doors, wardrobes, kitchens and vanities earlier this year. More recently, Depa opened their first subsidiary in India, located in Mumbai and was set up to support the Four Seasons Mumbai project and to provide a platform for further expansion in to the Indian market.

Mohannad Sweid, CEO of Depa commented, "Acquiring a stake in Design Studio enabled us to strengthen our Group manufacturing facilities; it is also a vital key to our development plans for the South East Asian market. Depa India was formed to present us with a focal point for our ambitions in the promising Indian Sub Continent."

The Four Seasons Mumbai, a luxury boutique property with 240 rooms and Suites located just south of India's commercial capital in the Worli area, represents the Canadian hotel chain's maiden entry in to India and they are already planning additional sites in Bangalore and Chennai. Depa's scope of works includes the entire fit-out including furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) of the public areas and suites plus the prestigious 'Super Potato" a two storey restaurant located in a special annex building.

Other recent contract wins include the second stage of the Capital Towers project in Dubai, which entails the interior fit-out of the public areas.

Moreover, Depa is currently executing Interior works at the iconic Shoreline Apartments on the Palm Jumeirah, due for completion before the end of 2006. DEPA has been commissioned to complete the interior design and complete fitting out of 10 apartment blocks that comprise a significant portion of the Shoreline complex. The ten apartment blocks comprise six sea-side buildings of 700 apartments, 24 penthouses and 3 clubhouses as well as four channel-side buildings which include 476 apartments and 18 penthouses.

"We appointed Design Studio as the main sub-contractor for the Shoreline Apartments. This is one of the The Palm's most prestigious projects and our commitment to delivering a high quality product within an extremely challenging deadline reflects the confidence we have in Design Studio and with the numerous high valued projects in-hand, it fully justifies our expansion strategy," added Sweid.

Having raised a total capital of AED 475 million from selected investment houses and private investors earlier this year, Depa through its head office in Dubai, has been in bullish mood. Apart from Depa India establishment and Design Studio acquisition, other strategic decisions are being determined to support their extensive network of offices in Depa Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and China.

After three decades of excellence Depa has built up an enviable reputation throughout the industry and continues to present specialized full scope fit-outs and furnishing for major five star luxury hotels.