Reaffirming its commitment to fast-tracking the localization of Saudi industry, Arabian Power Electronics Company (APEC), a subsidiary of Eram Group, recently inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art production facility. This regional expansion aims to enable the transfer of power electronics technology to the Kingdom, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 to grow and diversify the economy.
The production facility advances the company’s intent to become a pioneer of power electronics in the Middle East. “The focus of companies in the industry must be on localizing technologies and create promising job opportunities for young people in the country, especially Saudi engineers,” said Dr. Siddeek Ahmed, chairman and managing director of Eram Group.
Located in Dammam 3rd Industrial City, APEC’s new 9,600-square-meter facility will manufacture a wide range of products that contribute to a robust supply chain. The facility will contribute toward the domestic economy by focusing on local products and talent development, using an advanced power electronics training institute created in-house. The extensive product range covers industrial and commercial UPS systems, industrial battery chargers/rectifiers, frequency converters, system integration capabilities of variable frequency drives, solar projects and customized product development for client-specific requirements.
At the launch event, Jacob Thomas, chief executive of APEC, opened proceedings in the presence of Saudi Aramco and Eram Group representatives, tracing the exceptional growth of APEC since its inception and highlighting its reputation as a market leader in its field in Saudi Arabia.
Salem Al-Huraish, general manager of procurement at Saudi Aramco, highlighted that APEC’s facility is an important validation of Saudi Vision 2030 and Saudi Aramco’s localization program, In-Kingdom Total Value Add (Iktva), which is helping to drive it. Bringing sophisticated technologies to the Kingdom is one component. Being able to export products with a “Made in Saudi Arabia” stamp on them will be another.
He added that the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the significance of a robust local supply chain. The new manufacturing facility for critical products takes the Kingdom one step closer to a sustainable economy, contributing to a world-class supply chain and enabling a generation of highly skilled local talent.
Ahmed, chairman and managing director of Eram Group, expressed his gratitude to Saudi Aramco for its focus on localization and setting the standards for other companies. He lauded the Iktva program and its support for locally manufactured products, adding that Eram Group’s other verticals in the manufacturing and services sector had increased their localization scores.
“Iktva intends, over the decade, to drive the supply chain and increase localization levels across the Kingdom,” he said. “The opening of this world-class facility is a real feather in Eram Group’s cap, and we are grateful for the continuous support from organizations in the industry to help us expand our footprint in the Kingdom.”
At the event, the Saudi Aramco representatives also launched two new “Made in Saudi Arabia” battery chargers (SCR and explosion-proof type), illustrating the potential for local manufacturers to compete at the global level.
