RIYADH: The e-commerce platform of V-Line Group, a global leader in supply chain solutions, has come a long way in boosting localization while working closely with Saudi Arabia within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030. “This achievement required an incredible amount of effort, time and sustained innovation for us to reach a point where we are today,” said Detlef Daues, founder and chairman of V-Line Group, speaking on the occasion of the German National Day.
“Saudi Arabia made us who we are today and granted us opportunities to grow. We are proud that we can give back something to the country, the companies, and the people, with our knowledge and global network, thus strongly supporting Vision 2030,” he added.
Daues recalled the company’s genesis, saying that V-Line, a provider of maintenance, repair and operations solutions and services, started its business in 1979, supplying spare parts to desalination plants in the Kingdom.
“Today, for more than 40 years, V-Line is still strongly connected to Saudi Arabia, not only having its main clients like SABIC, SWCC, SEC, Maaden, PetroRabigh, and Tasnee here, but also an entity headquartered in Jubail, with a full trading license to be available on-site and transfer more supply chain knowledge to Saudi Arabia,” said the chairman. “V-Line Middle East fully commits and aligns itself with the goals of Vision 2030,” he added.
Daues further said: “We support clients to localize their business by identifying the local value proposition and benefit from job creation and expertise transfer to quality improvement. We employ Saudi nationals, among them many Saudi women, and train them.”
“Every employee is given a chance to participate in the employee exchange program between the global V-Line entities to provide opportunities for Saudis to acquire knowledge and skills,” said Hasnain Jamil, chief executive officer of V-Line Middle East. “These are some of the examples of how we can implement Vision 2030 in our daily business life,” he added.
Another milestone that V-Line achieved in local content creation was the commitment as an international strategic partner in SABIC’s NUSANED program. In this context, V-Line acts as an ambassador or facilitator to attract foreign manufacturers to invest in the Saudi market, promotes local manufacturing, identifies local demand and the possibility for scaling manufacturing in the Kingdom besides supporting small and medium-sized Saudi companies to increase their export.
Now, V-Line is intensifying its efforts for localization by intertwining them with the opportunities of digitization. “V-Marketplace,” an e-commerce platform that V-Line launched with its technology partner Codasol Technologies, offers an extensive variety of spare parts for different industry sectors.
“What makes the platform special is that it not only digitizes spare parts procurement and sourcing, it also opens up new channels for local exports,” said Jamil.
“With the platform, we can connect Saudi companies and their product catalogs with global partners,” he said, adding that V-Line is currently looking to extend their network with partners in the Kingdom with an aim to offer more and more localized content, both to their established clients as well as through the platform. He further said: “We are always happy to exchange with potential partners to create synergies, with one goal, to help our customers fulfill their mission.”
V-Line Europe GmbH, a global provider of industrial supply chain services, provides innovative and ingenious solutions with the mission to help customers fulfill their goals using data science and value chains. V-Line is harnessing the potential of digital technology to efficiently manage sourcing and supply. Today, V-Line Europe, headquartered near Hannover in Germany, offers end-to-end supply chain solutions in 20 different countries, primarily in the Middle East, through its Saudi Arabia subsidiary, and also via its customer service centers in other GCC countries, the US, Mexico and Brazil.
V-Line sourcing and procurement centers in Germany, the US, China, Japan and Korea offer industrial plants in all its markets an integrated set of services tailored to lowering their total cost of ownership for their foreign maintenance, repair, and operations spare parts while meeting the highest global standards of supply performance. Its tailor-made portfolio of procurement services facilitates the spare parts flow from order until delivery.
V-Line Group’s digitization drive boosts localization
https://arab.news/9tgv2
V-Line Group’s digitization drive boosts localization
A scent-sational collab: Kerten Hospitality partners with Kayali
Kerten Hospitality, a pioneer in creating innovative hospitality experiences, has announced a partnership with Kayali, a perfume brand led by the visionary entrepreneur Mona Kattan. This collaboration, which began at the iconic Dar Tantora The House Hotel in AlUla, introduces an unprecedented sensory experience to guests, marrying luxury hospitality with the exquisite art of perfumery and local traditions.
Upon check-in, guests at Dar Tantora The House Hotel are greeted with a selection of Kayali’s signature Oud collection, inviting them to select their preferred scent. This personalized choice then becomes an integral part of their stay, as the chosen fragrance is used to scent the room during the daily turndown service, ensuring a unique and memorable ambiance throughout their visit.
Kerten Hospitality is known for its innovative and bespoke projects across the hospitality, residential, and integrated living sectors. With a focus on community, sustainability, and innovation, the hospitality group creates unique, impactful experiences that cater to the evolving needs of modern travelers.
Founded by Kattan, Kayali is a luxury fragrance brand that draws inspiration from the rich heritage of the Middle East, blending traditional scents with modern flair. Kayali, meaning “my imagination” in Arabic, invites wearers to explore and express their unique identities through a sophisticated collection of fragrances and layering techniques.
This partnership aligns seamlessly with Kerten Hospitality’s ethos of supporting regional businesses and integrating culture and artisanal craftsmanship into the guest experience. It also marks a significant milestone in Kayali’s expansion into commercial ventures, showcasing the brand’s versatility and the potential for fragrances to transform spaces and create lasting memories.
“Partnering with Kerten Hospitality allows us to bring Kayali’s world of fragrances to a new audience in a unique and meaningful way. It’s an honor to be part of the guest experience at Dar Tantora The House Hotel, and we’re thrilled to see our scents add an extra dimension of personalization to their stay,” said Kattan.
Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality, added: “This collaboration with Kayali, spearheaded by the visionary Mona Kattan, represents a special moment for Kerten Hospitality. It embodies our dedication to crafting immersive, culturally rich experiences for our guests. Through this partnership, we’re not just offering a stay; we’re inviting our guests into a world where every detail is carefully curated to enhance their journey. This initiative at Dar Tantora The House Hotel in AlUla is a perfect example of how we innovate to create meaningful connections between our guests and the local culture. We’re excited to see this collaboration unfold and enrich our guests’ experience.”
The initiative at Dar Tantora The House Hotel is just the beginning of a long-term collaboration between Kayali and Kerten Hospitality, with plans to introduce more innovative and sensory-enhancing experiences across the group’s portfolio of properties.
Dyson has something for everyone this Eid Al-Fitr
As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close, Dyson has curated an Eid Al-Fitr gift guide.
“At this time of joy, celebration and generosity, there is no better way to convey heartfelt wishes than through thoughtful gifts that resonate with your loved ones’ passions. Whether the recipient is a beauty lover, house-proud or a music enthusiast, Dyson’s innovative hair, home and audio solutions offer something for everyone,” the tech company said.
Dyson Airstrait
For the on-trend beauty lover, Dyson’s latest Airstrait straightener is fast becoming one of the most sought-after gifts of the year. Its groundbreaking technology achieves simultaneous drying and straight styling, all within one sleek machine. Engineered to cater to diverse hair types, it effortlessly delivers a natural straight style with body and movement while preserving the strength and healthy appearance of the hair. Dyson Airstrait is available in Prussian Blue or Nickel/Copper for SR1,999 ($533).
Dyson Airwrap
The new limited-edition color variant of Dyson’s much-loved Airwrap multi-styler is inspired by the company’s exploration of color and material innovation. It features a gentle pale pink tone with a ceramic texture, enhanced by metallic accents in deep plum and rose shades. Offering different ways to dry, curl, smooth and straighten, the device uses the Coandă effect to attract and wrap hair around the attachments, Dyson Airwrap starts at a price of SR2,299.
Dyson V15s Detect Submarine
The brand’s first product in the wet and dry vacuum category delivers just the right amount of water to effectively remove spills, stains and small debris from hard floors. To achieve an optimum clean floor finish without oversaturating, the wet roller head has been engineered with an eight-point hydration system, using a pressurized chamber for even water distribution across the full width of the roller. It is available for SR3,299
Dyson Zone
Designed for those with a passion for music, the Dyson Zone noise-canceling headphones excel in delivering an immersive audio experience. Meticulously designed to minimize distortion, they offer a broad frequency range with an impressive audio-only run time of up to 50 hours. Available in Ultra Blue/Prussian Blue colorways, the headphones are priced at SR3,229.
Dyson Purifier Formaldehyde
The Dyson Purifier Formaldehyde purifying fan captures ultrafine dust and allergens, even destroying potentially dangerous volatile organic compounds, including formaldehyde. The purified air can be projected to every corner of the room whilst maintaining a preferred temperature and air quality levels. It is available in store and online, priced at SR2,299.
Ericsson and stc on track to achieve a more sustainable network in Saudi Arabia
- By collecting, decommissioning, and recycling, Ericsson and stc have recycled an estimated 438 metric tons of waste electrical and electronic equipment to date
Ericsson and stc are jointly working to develop a more sustainable network in the Kingdom, resulting in tangible progress across various areas, in line with the Saudi Green Initiative.
As part of their joint achievements, Ericsson and stc have modernized stc’s sites while working toward finalizing the sunset of 3G technology on the network. The companies are also continuously collaborating on the Ericsson Product Take-Back Program and are conducting knowledge sharing sessions by Ericsson experts.
Part of the network modernization is the deployment of Ericsson Radio System products such as three-sector dual-band Radio 6626 and Micro Sleep Tx solution that have helped stc cut OPEX and energy usage by up to 25 percent. Furthermore, Ericsson and stc have embarked on the sunset of stc’s 3G technology to enable refarming of stc’s 10 MHz frequency to 4G and improve spectrum efficiency, enhancing data throughput and boosting user experience.
As part of the Ericsson Product Take-Back Program, stc is recycling its waste from end-of-life electronic and electrical equipment. By collecting, decommissioning, and recycling, Ericsson and stc have recycled an estimated 438 metric tons of waste electrical and electronic equipment to date.
The collaboration supports Saudi Vision 2030’s goal toward a net-zero future by 2060 as well as stc’s commitment to “creating long-term value for the community, the people, and the planet.” Moreover, a sustainable network will boost customer experiences, accelerate innovation, and inspire use cases for monetization opportunities.
Maha Alnuhait, general manager of sustainability program at stc, said: “At stc, we are dedicated to elevating sustainability throughout our operations while encouraging innovation and enhancing customer experiences. We continue to work toward realizing the Saudi Vision 2030 priorities, including the ambitious Saudi Green Initiative targets aimed at reducing emissions by 278 million tons per annum by 2030. By aligning with the Kingdom’s net-zero commitments by 2060 and embracing our own long-term goal of achieving net-zero by 2050, we not only seek to drive forward sustainability, but also aim to play a pivotal role in shaping a greener, more resilient future for generations to come. Our collaboration with Ericsson underscores our commitment to sustainability, technological advancement, and delivering unparalleled services to our customers.”
Fida Kibbi, vice president and head of marketing, communications and sustainability and corporate responsibility at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, said: “At Ericsson, we have always believed that network enhancement must coexist with a reduction in overall energy consumption. Our collaboration with stc exemplifies our drive for innovation in the industry, empowering them to harness the full potential of sustainable networks. Through this collaboration, we are not only contributing to the Saudi Green Initiative goals but also ensuring a more efficient network. We aspire to inspire our partners to explore innovative use cases for network monetization, fostering the development of green and sustainable networks.”
Alghanim’s Costa Coffee to promote Saudi brand ‘Jazean’
Alghanim Industries, one of the largest privately owned companies in the MENA region, has announced its strategic partnership with Saudi Coffee Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, through its specialty coffee brand Jazean. This partnership will support local industries and embrace Saudi Arabia’s rich coffee heritage. This milestone is further enhanced by the opening of the 100th Costa Coffee store in the Kingdom, highlighting the company’s commitment to growth and expansion in the region and the Saudi market.
Alghanim Industries, the largest franchisee of Costa Coffee across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa by territory and its official representative in the region, is dedicated to showcasing Saudi Arabia’s rich coffee heritage and authentic local flavors and blends, with a focus on supporting the burgeoning coffee industry. Jazean coffee’s blends, produced in the Kingdom’s southern region, will be prominently featured as the “Coffee of the Day,” making them accessible to customers throughout the country. These distinctive selections will be available across the menus of all 100 Costa Coffee stores in the Kingdom.
Kutayba Alghanim, executive chairman of Alghanim Industries, said: “Partnering with the Saudi Coffee Company to introduce locally grown Jazean coffee beans into our Costa Coffee stores represents a significant strategic initiative that underscores our deep commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This effort shines a light on our continuous drive to support job creation and expand employment opportunities, aligning perfectly with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. It signifies our contribution to the local economy, our dedication to energizing the job market, and our celebration of the Kingdom’s rich coffee culture. We view this not merely as a business opportunity but as an avenue to support the community and safeguard the deep-rooted traditions that characterize this region’s identity.”
Mahmoud Samara, CEO of Alghanim Industries, said: “This collaboration, especially through integrating Costa’s esteemed brand with distinctive local concepts like Jazean coffee, not only underscores our commitment to innovation, community involvement, and the celebration of local heritage, but also opens the door to showcasing Saudi coffee beans across the region and potentially beyond, leveraging our position as the largest Costa Coffee franchisee. It embodies our strategic vision to enhance the consumer experience significantly, contributing positively to the Saudi economy and elevating the nation’s rich coffee culture on a global stage.”
Saudi Arabia’s drive to establish itself as a prominent force in the global coffee market is underscored by significant initiatives, particularly through the efforts of entities like the Saudi Coffee Company. These endeavors are focused on cultivating the southern region of Saudi Arabia to harvest some of the highest quality Arabica coffee found in the market. This strategic development of a vibrant local coffee culture complements the observed surge in demand within the Kingdom, reflecting a broader impact with substantial figures to match. In 2023, the coffee sector reached a valuation of SR15.3 billion ($4.07 billion), indicating a promising growth outlook for the coming years. Alongside this internal growth, Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the international coffee trade is notable, with more than $1 billion worth of coffee-related products imported in 2021 and an anticipated increase in trade value.
Khalid Abu Theeb, CEO of Saudi Coffee Company, said: “We are delighted to partner with Alghanim Industries, facilitating the integration of locally produced coffee beans in global coffee blends. This partnership underpins Saudi Coffee Company’s commitment to empowering the private sector in the coffee industry, as well as promoting Saudi-based coffee production across the region and globally. At Saudi Coffee Company and through its specialty coffee brand Jazean, we are keen to partake in sustainable coffee production processes across the full value chain, placing Saudi coffee beans on the global stage for coffee trade.”
Philippe Schaillee, CEO of Costa Coffee, said: “Alghanim has some of the best Costa Coffee stores in the world — helping us create a progressive and innovative brand in Saudi Arabia, targeting younger consumers, as well as inspiring those who already know and love the Costa Coffee brand. The partnership with Saudi Coffee Company is a fantastic example of how a global brand like Costa Coffee can operate in multiple markets and regions, whilst working with local partners to celebrate and champion the individual market’s heritage and produce.”
Alghanim Industries has established two state-of-the-art training centers in the Kingdom, dedicated to training and developing aspiring Saudi baristas to meet international standards.
Health Ministry partners with Ithnain to transform diabetes care
In a landmark initiative poised to transform diabetes management across the Kingdom, the Saudi Ministry of Health has formalized an MoU with Ithnain, an online healthcare coaching startup. The partnership underscores the pivotal role of innovation in addressing healthcare challenges and highlights the capacity of Saudi enterprises to contribute to the nation’s ambitious Vision 2030.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Abdullah Alsoheimi, general director of Specialized Centers Affairs at the Ministry of Health, and Meshari Althowaini, CFO at Ithnain.
The collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Ithnain introduces an advanced healthcare model tailored for more than 10,000 patients within the ministry’s diabetes centers. By integrating Ithnain’s specialized coaching services into the patient care pathway, this initiative promises a revolutionary approach to managing insulin-dependent diabetes through enhanced education and coaching.
Patients and physicians at the ministry’s diabetes centers will benefit from direct access to Ithnain’s platform, enabling a seamless referral journey that is expected to significantly improve patient outcomes, alleviate the burden on healthcare facilities, and empower individuals to take control of their health from the comfort of their homes.
Reflecting the Ministry of Health’s commitment to fostering innovation, this MoU with Ithnain not only aims to enhance diabetes care but also serves as a model for future healthcare solutions. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and the expertise of homegrown Saudi companies like Ithnain, the partnership aligns with the Vision 2030 goal of creating a vibrant society with robust health services.
Ithnain’s remarkable achievements, including a 34 percent month-over-month growth rate and a track record of helping more than 24,000 patients manage their diabetes more effectively, exemplify the potential of Saudi innovation in the healthcare sector. Notably, 75 percent of Ithnain’s users report significant improvements in their diabetes management and overall health within just three months.
Through this partnership, the Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia and Ithnain are not only addressing the immediate needs of diabetes patients but are also laying the foundation for a healthier future for all Saudis.