National Geographic Abu Dhabi’s ‘Megafactories’ takes you inside the incredible world of Almarai

• The Saudi brand is the first Middle Eastern company to feature in the globally acclaimed ‘Megafactories’ series
• Premieres on September 17, 10 pm KSA / 11 pm UAE

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 15 September 2012: On September 17, 2012, National Geographic Abu Dhabi, the Middle East’s leading factual entertainment television channel, formed as a partnership between National Geographic Channels International and Abu Dhabi Media, will proudly premiere the first ‘Megafactories’ episode to focus on a Middle eastern company: Almarai. Tune in to discover the world’s largest vertically integrated dairy company, in this in-depth exploration of the processes that take milk from the cow to the customer.

‘Megafactories’ gives viewers an uninhibited view into some of the world’s most impressive factories. Exciting footage follows the manufacturing process of the most recognisable and loved everyday products. After featuring the world class production facilities of iconic brands such as Coca-Cola, Ferrari, IKEA, Boeing and more, ‘Megafactories’ now comes to the Middle East for the very first time to feature the KSA-based dairy company, Almarai.

The episode examines Almarai’s production line process, from the impeccable high standards used in the company’s dairy superfarms, right through to stocking the end product in supermarkets.

“Bringing ‘Megafactories’ to the Middle East for the first time is a positive step for the region’s industry. Initiatives such as this help raise awareness of our local business success stories, which will inspire audiences across the region to achieve similar accomplishments,” said Mohamed Al Hammadi, Director of Public Service Affairs at Abu Dhabi Media. “When Abu Dhabi Media partnered with National Geographic Channel to create National Geographic Abu Dhabi, our intention was to provide the region with leading global factual entertainment. This content has always been personalized specifically for the Middle East through dubbing in Arabic, and with ‘Megafactories: Almarai’ we are taking local engagement to a whole new level.”

Megafactories” is one of our most highly acclaimed series. It gives viewers a unique inside perspective on how iconic brands come to life on the assembly line. We are delighted to showcase “Almarai” a true manufacturing behemoth, a global player in its sector and one of the most well-known brands in the Middle East and North Africa, as part of latest season of “Megafactories” which will premiere on National Geographic Abu Dhabi starting 17th September “ said Rohit D’silva, Managing Director (Middle East and North Africa), National Geographic Channels/Fox International Channels Middle East.

“It is an honour to be the first homegrown Middle Eastern company to be included in National Geographic’s ‘Megafactories’. On behalf of Almarai, I would like to thank National Geographic Abu Dhabi for this unique opportunity to represent the progression, quality, and adherence to international standards of the region’s industry,” said Abdulrahman Bin Abdulmohsin Al Fadley, CEO, Almarai. “Since our inception in 1977, Almarai has grown steadily to become a household name and an industry leader as the largest vertically integrated dairy company in the world. We are proud of our achievements and are eager to invite our consumers into our operations through ‘Megafactories’, to educate them on the procedures that go into procuring, processing, and delivering their daily glass of milk.”

Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Riyadh, KSA, Almarai is the world’s largest vertically integrated, end-to-end dairy company, as well as being the region’s largest food and beverage producer. It keeps a herd of 135,000 Holstein cows on its ISO 9002-accredited farm (the world’s first to receive the certification), which produces around 2.5million litres of milk every day – almost double the European average. This fresh milk is processed to create the hundreds of dairy products that Almarai serves to more than 48,500 retail customers on a daily basis. Its fleet includes 960 tankers, reefers and tractor heads, as well as 2,925 vans – which, cumulatively, travel more than 193 million kilometres every year. That’s enough to circumnavigate the world 4,800 times.

Find out how Almarai uses ingenious techniques to keep cows cool in the desert heat, how bottles are made and the elaborate logistics involved into delivering milk to stores across the region every day.

Watch the global premiere of ‘Megafactories: Almarai’ on September 17 at 2200 KSA/ 2300 UAE.

About National Geographic Abu Dhabi
Launched in July 2009, the free-to-air National Geographic Abu Dhabi invites viewers in the Middle East to re-think the way they see television – and the world – through smart, innovative programming in the Arabic language. The world’s first free-to-air National Geographic Channel brought to the region by Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) and National Geographic Channels International (NGCI), is dedicated to understanding and protecting the world, with its worldwide reputation of producing credible and authentic content that fits different viewers’ interests. Its programming is smart, factual entertainment weighted in favour of popular science, technology, natural history, archaeology and natural mysteries. www.natgeotv.ae.

About Abu Dhabi Media
Abu Dhabi Media is one of the fastest growing, multi-platform media and entertainment organizations in the Middle East, operating across the broadcast, publishing, and digital media sectors. The company manages over 20 market-leading brands in two categories: brands that serve the UAE through a defined public service role; and brands that target the wider Arab world with clear commercial objectives. Abu Dhabi Media maintains partnerships with a number of leading companies in the international media space. Abu Dhabi Media also owns and operates subsidiaries in film, outdoor broadcast, and printing.