MLS Butchery wanted to present fresh red meat at a premium level across Dubai Motor City and Oman. The display had to hold a food-safe 0°C to +4°C, show both packaged cuts and whole carcasses, and match a refined matte black store design. ANKE designed and fabricated three display types for the project at our Ajman facility, built around one modular interior system.
At ANKE, we design and fabricate custom meat display counters for premium butcheries, supermarkets, and upscale food retail across the UAE. This case study shows how we built the MLS counters, feature by feature, and why each choice was made. To see the full range, visit our meat display range or read our guide to choosing a meat display.
Project at a Glance
| Detail | Value |
| Client | MLS Butchery |
| Locations | Dubai Motor City and Oman |
| Product displayed | Fresh red meat |
| Temperature | 0°C to +4°C |
| Display types | 3 (upright multi-shelf, upright carcass-hanging, freestanding counter) |
| Glass | Argon-filled insulated glass doors and glass box |
| Finish | Matte black across all units |
| Manufacturing time | 4 to 6 weeks, fabricated in Ajman |
| Warranty | 1-year manufacturer warranty |
What MLS Butchery Needed from the Display
MLS Butchery needed a meat display that combined food-safe refrigeration, premium presentation, and merchandising flexibility in one project. The brief covered every requirement, not a single priority.
- Food-safe temperature: A steady 0°C to +4°C for fresh red meat.
- Premium presentation: Meat displayed to the standard of an upscale retail concept.
- Merchandising flexibility: The ability to show packaged cuts and whole carcasses in the same store.
- Store-matched design: A finish that fits a refined matte black interior.
- Hygiene and easy cleaning: Food-grade surfaces that are simple to maintain.
Pro Tip: If you run a premium butchery or supermarket, decide early whether you need a packaged-cut display, carcass display, or both. A modular interior lets one unit do all three, which protects your fit-out budget.
Why Off-the-Shelf Meat Displays Did Not Fit MLS
Off-the-shelf meat displays did not fit MLS because catalogue units are fixed in size, finish, and layout. A premium butchery with a specific store design and mixed merchandising needs runs into limits that a standard unit cannot solve.
Where a ready-made unit falls short for a project like this:
- Fixed configuration: A standard unit cannot switch between packaged cuts and whole carcasses.
- No store-matched finish: Catalogue colours rarely match a refined matte black interior.
- Fixed sizing: Imported units are built to set dimensions, not to a specific store layout.
- Generic presentation: Standard glass and layout may not deliver the premium look a high-end butchery needs.
For a deeper comparison, read the key features of a commercial meat display and our guide on custom-fabricated meat displays.
How ANKE Built the MLS Meat Display Counters
ANKE built three types of meat displays for MLS, all finished in matte black and fitted with argon-filled insulated glass. At ANKE, we designed and fabricated every unit at our Ajman facility. The three types share a common design language: matte black finish, argon-filled insulated glass, and 0°C to +4°C refrigeration, so the store reads as a single premium environment.
Three Display Types in One Project
| Display Type | What It Does | Key Feature |
| Upright multi-shelf | Shows packaged and prepared cuts on multiple shelves | Argon-filled insulated glass doors. |
| Upright with carcass hanging | Presents whole carcasses for a traditional butchery experience | Carcass hanging section with interchangeable shelves. |
| Freestanding counter | Showcases fresh meat at the customer-facing point of sale | Argon-filled glass box with black border printing. |
Result: One project covers every way MLS wants to present meat.
Argon-Filled Insulated Glass: Visibility and Temperature Stability
The MLS uprights use argon-filled insulated glass doors. The freestanding counter uses an argon-filled glass box with black border printing. This glass type improves both visibility and thermal performance.
| Factor | Why It Matters |
| Product visibility | Customers see the full meat display clearly through clean, unobstructed glass. |
| Temperature stability | Argon insulation helps the cabinet maintain 0°C to +4°C with less energy draw. |
| Black border printing | Frames the counter with a premium finish that matches the matte black units. |
| Durability | Insulated glass construction resists condensation and external heat better than single-pane glass. |
The Modular Interior System: Shelves and Carcass Hanging in One Unit
ANKE developed a modular interior system for MLS that lets shelves and carcass hanging components be interchanged. The same unit can switch between a packaged-meat display and a whole-carcass presentation as merchandising needs change. This was the hardest part of the project, and it is the detail no catalogue unit can copy.
A premium butchery does not merchandise the same way every week. Seasonal demand, promotions, and stock all change the layout. A fixed display forces the store to work around the equipment. A modular display lets the equipment adapt to the store.
Why it matters:
- Shelves and carcass-hanging components swap in and out
- One unit handles packaged cuts or whole carcasses
- The layout adapts as merchandising requirements change
- MLS gets long-term flexibility from a single investment
Result: The display changes with the business, instead of limiting it.
Temperature and Freshness: Holding 0°C to +4°C All Day
ANKE designed the MLS displays to hold fresh red meat at 0°C to +4°C, the chilled range used for safe meat retail. Holding this range in a UAE store, with frequent customer traffic, takes engineered refrigeration, not a standard cooling unit.
Fresh meat also loses quality if its surface dries out. ANKE combined argon-filled insulated glass with carefully engineered refrigeration and airflow management. The airflow is managed to minimize meat surface drying while keeping the temperature stable.
| Factor | How ANKE Solved It |
| Temperature range | Engineered refrigeration holds 0°C to +4°C during live store hours, even with frequent door opening. |
| Surface drying | Airflow management minimizes meat surface drying while keeping the temperature stable. |
| Glass insulation | Argon-filled insulated glass helps hold internal temperature with less energy draw. |
| UAE conditions | The system is designed for demanding retail environments where ambient heat is high. |
Result: MLS shows fresh meat that stays food-safe and looks premium.
Key Tip: When evaluating a meat display, ask about both the temperature holding and the airflow design. Temperature alone does not prevent surface drying. At ANKE, we engineer both together.
Matte Black Finish: Matching the Store Design
ANKE finished every MLS unit in matte black. The finish ties the three display types together and complements the MLS store interior. The counter glass box also features black border printing.
A custom finish matters for the same reason it does in a premium fit-out: a generic appliance breaks the store’s visual identity. A matched display becomes part of the brand.
Built in Ajman, Delivered to Dubai Motor City and Oman
ANKE fully designed and fabricated the MLS displays at our Ajman facility. The project reached MLS locations in Dubai Motor City and Oman.
The build followed a clear sequence:
- Design and approval: ANKE set the three display formats, the matte black finish, the glass specification, and the modular interior.
- Fabrication in Ajman: All units were built and quality-checked at the ANKE facility over 4 to 6 weeks.
- Delivery and commissioning: ANKE installed and commissioned the units, then provided after-sales support.
Pro Tip: For a large order, ask your fabricator about the lead time and the commissioning process before you buy. ANKE builds in Ajman in 4 to 6 weeks and supports the units after installation.
Partners like ANKE handle the full process, from design through commissioning, so the client receives a working system, not just equipment.
What MLS Said After Installation
MLS reported strong satisfaction with the finished displays. The client highlighted several points after installation.
- Premium presentation: MLS was satisfied with how the displays present the meat.
- Modular flexibility: The interchangeable shelf and carcass hanging system lets MLS adapt the layout as merchandising changes.
- Store-matched finish: The matte black finish complemented the overall store design.
- Visibility and stable temperature: The argon-filled glass gave strong product visibility while helping hold steady temperatures.
- Service: MLS valued ANKE’s responsiveness during commissioning and the ongoing after-sales support.
Final Checklist: What a Custom Meat Display Should Deliver
Before you finalize:
- Food-safe temperature: 0°C to +4°C, engineered for live retail.
- Merchandising flexibility: modular interior for packaged cuts, carcasses, or both.
- Store-matched finish: custom colour and glass detailing, not a catalogue look.
- Visibility and insulation: argon-filled insulated glass for clarity and thermal performance.
- UAE fabrication with support: built locally, delivered with commissioning and after-sales.
- Warranty and confidence: 1-year manufacturer warranty on every unit.
Build Your Custom Meat Display with ANKE
The MLS project shows what a custom meat display can do for a premium brand. Three display types, a modular interior system, argon-filled insulated glass, a matte black finish, and a food-safe 0°C to +4°C all came together in one project. Every unit was fabricated at ANKE’s Ajman facility and delivered to MLS in Dubai Motor City and Oman.
Choosing a fabrication partner with integrity, capacity, and technical strength, like ANKE, sets your project up for success. Contact us for a free quote.
ANKE is ISO 9001 and HACCP certified. Factory: 105 Amr Ibn El Aas Street, Ajman Industrial 1. Every custom display ships with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Best custom meat display counter manufacturer in the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should a fresh meat display be?
A fresh red meat display should hold 0°C to +4°C. This is the chilled range used for safe meat retail. ANKE designed the MLS displays to hold this range during live store hours.
Can one meat display show both packaged cuts and whole carcasses?
Yes. ANKE built a modular interior system for MLS that lets shelves and carcass hanging components be interchanged. The same unit switches between packaged-meat display and whole-carcass presentation.
Why does ANKE use argon-filled insulated glass in a meat display?
Argon-filled insulated glass improves product visibility and helps hold a stable internal temperature. For MLS, the uprights used argon-filled insulated glass doors and the counter used an argon-filled glass box with black border printing.
How does ANKE keep meat from drying out in the display?
ANKE combines argon-filled insulated glass with engineered refrigeration and airflow management. The airflow is managed to minimize meat surface drying while holding 0°C to +4°C.
How long does ANKE take to build a custom meat display?
ANKE fabricated the MLS displays in 4 to 6 weeks from order to handover. Every custom display ships with a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
Can ANKE match a meat display to my store design?
Yes. ANKE finished the MLS units in matte black to match the store interior. ANKE fabricates custom finishes, sizes, and layouts for every project.
