Mohamed Salah El-Din Mostafa, Minister of State for Military Production, has affirmed that the successful localisation of armoured steel manufacturing at Abu Zaabal Engineering Industries Company (Factory 100)—in partnership with the private sector—is a historic milestone for Egypt. This achievement places Egypt among only six countries globally capable of producing this strategic material, which is vital to the manufacture of military and defense equipment such as tanks and armoured vehicles. The Minister's remarks came during an unannounced inspection tour of Factory 100, part of his ongoing series of field visits across the Ministry's affiliated companies. These visits aim to monitor production activities firsthand, assess progress, and ensure compliance with ministerial directives aimed at boosting performance and productivity. Arriving during employee sign-in hours, Salah conducted an early inspection to assess punctuality and commitment to daily operational schedules. His tour included several key production lines serving the Armed Forces, including those dedicated to manufacturing heavy and medium artillery ammunition, rapid-deployment assault bridges, specialised steels, and armoured steel components. Factory 100 also capitalises on its surplus production capacity to manufacture a wide range of civilian engineering products, including cold- and hot-rolled steel sheets, steel billets, components for waste-to-compost plants, and corrosion-resistant water and fuel tanks. The company plays a key role in implementing national strategic projects through cooperation with various state institutions. The Minister also inspected warehouse operations, stressing the importance of orderly storage, periodic inventory control, and adherence to safety and occupational health standards. Special attention was paid to areas involving high-temperature processes and the handling of complex machinery used in metal melting and forming. During the visit, Bassem Suleiman, Chairman of the Board, provided an overview of the company's performance metrics, including production rates, recent sales data, ongoing projects, inventory levels, and strategies for marketing and raw material sourcing. He also updated the Minister on the company's efforts to implement its development roadmap. The Minister engaged directly with employees, listening to their feedback and concerns. He encouraged them to increase productivity and called on company leadership to address workforce challenges, ensure a supportive working environment, and drive continuous improvement. He underscored the company's strategic importance as a key industrial arm of the Ministry, contributing to Egypt's economic growth and industrial self-reliance in alignment with national directives. At the conclusion of the visit, Salah issued a series of directives focused on intensifying efforts to attract new investments and forge strategic partnerships with various government entities. These efforts form part of the Ministry's broader strategy of ongoing modernisation, technological localisation, and industrial advancement. He also stressed the importance of maintaining high quality standards, safeguarding resources, adhering to project timelines, and enforcing robust governance and internal audit practices. Additionally, he called for strict adherence to scheduled maintenance to preserve the efficiency and longevity of production lines.
