Quality and safety in disposable packaging

Established in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 1995, Hotpack Packaging Industries LLC had a humble beginning. But the company has continuously strived to improve that today it has become one of the leading companies in the field of packaging materials and related products. The growth trajectoryof Hotpack is a combination of multiple factors: quality products, reasonable and effective price structures and outstanding service to name a few. In a recent interview with International Plastics News - Middle East and Africa (IRNEA), Abdul Jebbar P.B, Managing Director at Hotpack Packaging Industries shared his company’s journey in the region’s sustainability drive.

IRNEA: How would you describe Hotpack’s customer base?

Mr. Jebbar P.B: Hotpack Packaging Industries has been providing high quality disposable food packaging materials and related products in white, clear and coloured plastic, aluminium, foam, paper, and protection and hygiene products from its own manufacturing units in the UAE.

The company has clients spread across all major verticals such as restaurants, hotels, hypermarket/super markets, hotels, airlines, hospitals, and government institutions.

Our diverse product range can classified into the following categories: clear specialty packaging (sushi, containers, round salad bowls, cake and clear pastry containers, clear portion and clear cups, clear lids), shelf range (aluminium, plastic, clear, form, paper range, bags and table sheets), catering products (aluminium, plastic, form, paper, natural pulp tableware, hygiene& protection, bags & table sheets), dispensers (maxi roll holder, napkin dispenser, inter fold dispenser, c-fold dispenser, table napkin dispenser, automatic/manual soap dispenser), wooden series (bamboo skewer, wooden coffee stirrers, wooden chopsticks, wooden cutlery, wooden round toothpick), miscellaneous items (stretch film, shrink film, clear/paper/ brown tapes, garbage bin with pedal, handy fuel, bubble wrap, neck sealing tape & magic wire, plastic palette, cleaning accessories, liquid cleaning items).

IRNEA: Besides the UAE market, what are Hotpack’s other export destinations?

Mr. Jebbar P.B: Hotpack operates through its branches in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. A chain of network in other Gulf, African and CIS countries also supports these markets.

IRNEA: Who are your customers in the packaging sector? What types of products do these customers prefer?

Mr. Jebbar P.B: Hotpack is the preferred supplier for several leading establishments including Dubai Airport Authority, Emirates Airlines, Dubai Duty Free, Lulu Group, KFC, Burger King, Tim Hortons, Cold Stone Creamery, Majid Al Futtaim, Hyper Panda, Geant, Union Co-Operative Society, Emirates Coop to name a few in the UAE. Moreover, we have many clients in Middle East, Africa and Europe.

Our products are packed hygienically in modern and attractive ways, which are designed by our own team and marketed to wholesalers, hyper/supermarkets, catering companies, hotels, hospitals, government institutions, and other customers. Our production and sales segments are managed by a team of highly qualified and dedicated professionals who guarantee timely and effective storage and delivery services round the clock.

IRNEA: What are the trends in these markets you serve that would affect your directions and operations in 2014?

Mr. Jebbar P.B: The market today is dominated by requirements related to quality-conscious customers who are increasingly demanding environmentally-friendly, yet reasonably-priced items. Hotpack is equipped with state-of-the-art technology with integrated facility, further certified with ISO standards and ESMA, which enables us to comply with the highest global standards of quality and hygiene as well as abiding by the recommendations for sustainable practices which will add to the strength of the company to grow further.

Having said that, the market also requires innovations in design, shape and features. Hotpack has always been the trendsetter in the market and offered many innovative products to its customers. We operate an in-house R&D unit which specialises in introducing new innovative features and products based on customer feedback.

IRNEA: To date, how many manufacturing facilities and branches does the company have?

Mr. Jebbar P.B: Hotpack has got 15 branches and 5 manufacturing units/plants across GCC and India. With the new manufacturing/logistics complex and integrated facility in Dubai Investment Park, certified in compliance with ISO standards and ESMA, we will be manufacturing several varieties of plastic, paper and aluminium products to cater to the food service industry. Even as we comply with the highest global standards for quality and hygiene, we will continue to adhere to sustainable practices. Our mission is to become Numero Uno Company in the field of disposable food packaging and related products in the continent.

IRNEA: What opportunities across Middle East does Hotpack target?

Mr. Jebbar P.B: Hotpack is always improving product quality and services, increasing its production as per the growing demand across the Middle East region. There are many international food chains establishing in the Middle East region that demand for packaging and disposable plastic products will keep increasing.

Also, in view of the increased demand and products/services portfolio on offer, Hotpack management has decided to further expand its operations by extending its production line in collaboration with the world’s advanced manufacturing and technology providers.

IRNEA: What future does the UAE hold in for Hotpack and the packaging industry?

Mr. Jebbar P.B: With good governance and infrastructure opportunities within the UAE, plastics, packaging and associated industries will have a lot of room to grow and add to the economic and social prosperity of the nation.

IRNEA: Is Hotpack involved in any CSR projects?

Mr. Jebbar P.B: Hotpack always believes in corporate social responsibility, of which one primary focus is to reduce carbon footprint. Any steps that can be taken to reduce our impact on the environment would be good both for the company and the society as a whole. Examples include everything from curbing pollution to developing clean energy solutions. We believe in the importance of biodegradable products and are producing these in our factory.