RIYADH: Sustainable manufacturing in Saudi Arabia is set to thrive as Alat, owned by the Public Investment Fund, partners with four global firms including Softbank Group and Carrier Corp.
The Saudi tech company said it has also partnered with Dahua Technology Ltd, and the Saudi Technology and Security Comprehensive Control Co., also called Tahakom, to help these companies reduce their emissions and move toward carbon zero manufacturing.
Amit Midha, Global CEO of Alat, said: “In conjunction with our international and regional partners, the first four of which we proudly announce today, we will redefine sustainable manufacturing. Alat’s mandate is focused on harnessing the Kingdom’s solar, wind and green hydrogen clean energy.”
He added that they are fervently harnessing technology to reshape businesses, capitalizing on advanced artificial intelligence and fourth industrial revolution technologies within manufacturing.
Talking to Arab News, Midha said: “Change is always an opportunity for those to see it … the economic diversification of the Kingdom is bold and unprecedented. The fastest growth rate of any G20 nation. Over 180 international companies are setting their original headquarters in the Kingdom, 36 percent female workforce participation, $50 billion annual budget for education and $3.3 billion invested for manufacturing, renewables, energy and infrastructure by 2030 and so much more.”
The CEO emphasized their commitment extends beyond clean energy, incorporating sustainability practices across all aspects of operations, buildings, logistics, and supply chains, with sustainability ingrained at the heart of every endeavor.
Alat Chief Marketing Officer Nick Reynolds told Arab News: “We are investing a $100 billion in building a sustainable manufacturing hub here in the Kingdom. We have Chinese, we have Saudi, we have (the) Americans and Japanese and they have all committed with us, invested with us, to build manufacturing (hub) here in the Kingdom that will deliver 39,000 jobs, and $10 billion to GDP in the next 6 years. We will build an ecosystem around those companies and more which we will announce soon.”
The company stated that it will empower the private sector and enhance the commercial environment through its business systems and partnerships with leading international technology manufacturers.
As part of the partnership, Alat and Softbank will establish a next-generation industrial automation business in Saudi Arabia, manufacturing groundbreaking industrial robots. The two entities will invest up to $150 million to create a fully automated manufacturing and engineering hub catering to local and global demand. Alat anticipates the facility’s opening in December 2024.
Regarding Alat’s partnership with Carrier Corp., one of the key players in intelligent climate and energy solutions, both companies will establish an advanced research and development facility in the Kingdom. This initiative aims to reduce emissions and significantly enhance energy efficiency in buildings.
Carrier Corp. will provide advanced heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions, encompassing high-tech systems and products such as variable refrigerant flow, chillers, and air handling units.
Alat further mentioned that this agreement involves the development of a cutting-edge manufacturing and research and development center expected to create more than 5,000 local jobs.
On the other hand, the Saudi tech firm announced that Dahua Technology Ltd., one of the leading manufacturers specializing in security and safety solutions, will initiate technology product manufacturing in the region.
This will be facilitated through a new joint venture aimed at producing and marketing solutions for safety and surveillance applications, applicable in smart cities, buildings, and enterprise environments.
Alat and the Chinese firm will reportedly invest $200 million to establish a secure and compliant global business for vision-centric products, named Alat AIVisio Technology Co. Ltd., and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia.
“What we are going to build is what we call the future hub. It is about sustainable manufacturing, low carbon footprint, ideally zero, but it means you build buildings that are green certified. It means you power all of the manufacturing with solar, with wind, and also with green hydrogen, ” Reynold added.
Meanwhile, Tahakom, which already develops intelligent transportation systems, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge safety solutions, will partner with Alat to combine their resources and capabilities to advance smart mobility and intelligent cities solutions, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, Alat announced.
This partnership, according to Alat, will include collaboration on solution designs, product specifications, and leveraging R&D and innovation functions. It will also involve building technology roadmaps and cultivating both client and vendor relationships.
Alat further stated that it aims to innovate and create manufacturing capabilities across seven business units, including semiconductors, smart devices, and smart buildings, as well as smart appliances, smart health, advanced industrials, and next-generation infrastructure.
The company’s statement concluded that Alat will initially manufacture products in 34 categories across seven business units. It noted the appointment of some of the world’s most experienced global industry experts to lead each of these units.
