Ahmed Bin Saeed inaugurates Richemont’s new state-of-the-art operations center in DAFZA

The facility is the first purpose-built building within the Dubai Airport Freezone

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) along with His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General of DAFZA and Dr. Christoph Thomet, Chief Operating Officer of Richemont Middle East & India, during the inauguration ceremony.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA), today officially inaugurated Swiss luxury goods group Richemont’s new operations centre, the latest and most advanced facility in DAFZA. The inauguration event was attended by His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General of DAFZA, the Swiss Ambassador to the UAE Her Excellency Ms. Maya Tissafi and Dr. Christoph Thomet, Chief Operating Officer of Richemont Middle East & India, along with senior officials and executives of Dubai Government, DAFZA, Richemont and Richemont business partners.

The Richemont Operations Center (ROC) is a pioneering project, as for the first time, DAFZA has purpose-built a facility based on a client's specific requirements. The unique facility, designed with more than 700 technical specifications and over 2,000 shop drawings, is the result of the close and strategic collaboration between DAFZA and Richemont. It provides key services for the Richemont Maisons including Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Montblanc among others, retailing across the Middle East and India region in more than 100 own and partner-operated boutiques.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of DAFZA, commented: “We profoundly welcome Richemont’s great commitment towards their strategic growth in Dubai, UAE and the region which will further enhance Dubai’s positioning as the home of the most prestigious luxury brands in the world. Over the last two decades, DAFZA has stood out as being the most preferred free zone for multinational companies, driving and shaping the economic growth of the emirate. DAFZA’s constructing a built-to-suit facility for Richemont demonstrates free zones’ vital role in enabling growth of multinational companies. We praise such collaborations between free zones and highly valued clients such as Richemont.”

H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni said, “Dubai Airport Freezone is very pleased with the results of working closely with Richemont in the development of this new, technologically advanced facility to meet their growing operational requirements. The highest technology material and latest techniques were utilized in the construction to ensure that every facet of the building conforms to their global standards and international best practices.”

Covering a total built-up area of about 4,500 square meters, the three-story, freestanding ROC building in DAFZA enables Richemont to deliver world-class services and is designed for optimal workflows and efficiency to enable shorter delivery times. It comprises a regional logistics facility, Grade A office spaces, a state-of-the-art customer service centre that serve more than 20 countries as well as a regional data centre.

Benefiting from plenty of natural light, the building was designed with a focus on the well-being of Richemont employees. Employee-focused design highlights include an expansive breakout area with an outdoor terrace, as well as various sizes of casual and formal meeting areas to create a collaborative environment. The facility also has a prayer room, providing a dedicated space for prayers.

Dr. Christoph Thomet said, “We are delighted to partake in the official opening of our new operations centre in DAFZA under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and in presence of H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, which marks another milestone in realizing our vision to create a facility of tomorrow. We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to our partner DAFZA for their strong support in making ROC a reality.”

The facility, which is constructed in line with green and sustainability standards, features an urban, industrial-chic design with concrete floors, grey slate stones, mat-black metal and natural rustic wood furniture with an open ceiling, providing an open spacious and soothing feel.

H.E. Dr. Al Zarooni added, “ROC is the best example of what the long-standing partnership between DAFZA and Richemont can accomplish as we strive to achieve our shared goal of driving national growth and prosperity in this complex age of borderless world. As part of our vision of a 'Freezone that goes beyond' and in line with our belief that customer satisfaction and service excellence is the way for our partners’ growth, DAFZA will continue to extend its support and provide the needed infrastructure and services to all its strategic partners. Richemont is one such valuable partner, where supporting their growth, seamless operations and productivity is paramount for our organization.”