AKI Unveils Next-Gen Fulfilment Centre in Dubai Industrial City

Dubai, UAE – 24 April 2025: Building on an entrepreneurial spirit spanning more than four decades, Al Khayyat Investments (AKI) has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Fulfilment & Innovation Centre in Dubai Industrial City, part of TECOM Group PJSC, that will serve as a cornerstone for the company’s continued regional expansion. 

The 1 million sq ft facility not only quadruples AKI’s fulfilment capacity but also raises the benchmark for agile, sustainable supply chain operations in the UAE. It already handles over half a million units per day, with the capacity to scale up to one and a half million units. The site also includes provisions to expand by nearly 200,000 sq ft in the near future. The centre will serve more than 30,000 business customers, as well as support home delivery services for consumers across the UAE who enjoy AKI’s retail and e-commerce offerings.

The centre builds on the goals set out in the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) to capitalise on Dubai's strategic location and advanced infrastructure to raise the city’s status as a preferred destination for major international companies and investments. Recently, the UAE has set out fresh plans to strengthen the country's position as a leading hub for global trade and raise the value of its logistics sector to beyond AED200 billion annually over the next seven years[1].

A privately held Emirati holding company, AKI has continuously expanded its supply chain infrastructure over more than four decades. The company’s end-to-end, in-house capability enables AKI to meet ever-increasing customer expectations across multiple sectors including pharmaceuticals, medical and laboratory equipment, retail, food and non-food consumer goods, fitness, automotive, environmental services, contracting, and more.

Zaid S. Al Khayyat, Managing Director of AKI, notes: “AKI was founded on a spirit of smart agility and entrepreneurial energy. This new Fulfilment & Innovation Centre carries forward these values as we aspire to seize new opportunities over the coming decades. Yet this facility is not just about enhancing our own operations. It is a strategic investment that creates long-term value for our partners and customers, while contributing to the UAE’s future-focused economy. Above all, it represents the power of our people driving our business forward every day.”

“Dubai Industrial City is proud to be the home of AKI’s new fulfilment centre,” says Saud Abu Alshawareb, Executive Vice President – Industrial at TECOM Group PJSC. “Our district’s proximity to Jebel Ali Port, Al Maktoum International Airport, and an Etihad Rail freight terminal enables connectivity for Al Khayyat Investments’ new fulfilment centre and sets it up for long-term success. Home to more than 1,100 manufacturing champions and 350 operational factories, Dubai Industrial City is committed to supporting such strategically significant projects, in line with Operation 300bn, Make it in the Emirates, and Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’.”

Samer Sabri, Group Chief Supply Chain Officer at AKI, adds: "This facility is a testament to the extraordinary teams within AKI who embrace diverse thinking to push boundaries, do more, and set the benchmark in supply chain excellence. The facility will truly redefine AKI's position within the UAE market, ensuring swifter and more efficient distribution capabilities for our growing business ecosystem.” 

The centre’s design reinforces how AKI is leading the way in digital transformation and sustainability within supply chain operations. Cutting-edge technologies and smart processes are set to increase AKI's supply chain and fulfilment productivity. With excellent connectivity to major transport and logistics networks, the facility allows for unrestricted movement of cargo to and from all major ports, Etihad Rail cargo terminal, as well as the eagerly anticipated expansions to Maktoum International Airport.