Tawazun Holding, the UAE-based strategic investment company focused on specialized manufacturing and industry, has announced the merger of Caracal International and Tawazun Advanced Defense Systems (TADS).

The merger sees the consolidation of the UAE’s two leading military and sporting weapons manufacturers with the new company operating under the name of Caracal International. The announcement was made the same week as the Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition which is taking place in Abu Dhabi until September 7th 2013, and at which Tawazun was official Weaponry Partner.

Caracal is the region’s leading manufacturer of pistols and rifles for the civilian, military, law enforcement and sporting markets, while TADS was the Tawazun group’s manufacturer of advanced defense systems catering to military, law enforcement and sporting customers. The new Caracal International will now design, develop, manufacture and sell firearms, sniper rifles and other light weapons under the established Caracal brand name at its manufacturing base in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

H.E Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri, Chief Executive Officer of Tawazun, said: “The decision to merge our two weapons manufacturers was made to create synergy among the group and streamline our military and sporting weapons offerings under one brand name. The market for these products is constantly evolving and companies need to adapt to changing conditions; a merged operation will allow us to maximize the global commercial opportunities available at a time when the UAE is making a name for itself as a high quality defense manufacturing base.”
Caracal International, which is based at the Tawazun Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi, has established itself as a well-regarded brand in its sector globally, and is able to cater to the diverse needs and requirements of its growing international roster of clients.

Sultan Aouda, formerly General Manager at TADS, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the newly merged operation.

Aouda commented: “Moving forward, our focus is on new product development, international expansion and delivering on even higher levels of customer service. The merger has brought together experts from all corners of the globe under one roof to ensure best practice across a broad portfolio of light weapons manufacturing. As well as investing in our people, we are working to strengthen our customer and partner relationships, and build on our existing culture of innovation to further our competitive advantage across the dynamic local and international marketplace.”

All of Caracal’s products are designed, developed and manufactured in Abu Dhabi - a city which is steadily making a name for itself as the regional expert hub for strategic manufacturing.