Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has opened a new production line in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
This production line manufactures hardware that will enhance the kingdom’s energy efficiency and sustainability efforts, Schneider Electric wrote in a statement.
The establishment of this Schneider’s state-of-the-art production line aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to position the country as a prominent global manufacturing hub and increase the export of energy management solutions to regional and global markets.
Mohamed Shaheen, the Cluster President of Saudi Arabia and Yemen, expressed that Schneider Electric’s new manufacturing line will produce intelligent equipment that empowers companies to improve energy efficiency and achieve their decarbonization and sustainability goals.
He emphasised the company’s commitment to supporting Saudi Vision 2030 by contributing to the kingdom’s goal of tripling industrial output and strengthening its position as a global manufacturing base.
The new production line incorporates cutting-edge automation technology and robotics. As the line reaches its full capacity, employment opportunities will be created, with a focus on providing jobs for the Saudi workforce, particularly youth and women in technical roles. Additionally, a portion of the assembly line workforce will be dedicated to women.
The production line will manufacture Schneider Electric’s intelligent Altivar Process Modular (APM) Drives, which are smart and connected devices used in various industrial processes, machinery, and buildings to enhance energy efficiency.
By labeling each unit as “Made in KSA” (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), the factory strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a global exporter of intelligent digital products.
The inauguration of the factory took place during Schneider Electric’s Saudi Arabia Innovation Summit 2023, which explored innovations for a sustainable world across different sectors.
This event showcased the company’s dedication to diversity, digital transformation, and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), which aims to transform Saudi Arabia into a global logistics hub.
The advanced production line contributes to Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Strategy, which targets tripling industrial output and increasing the value of industrial exports to around $149 billion by 2030.
Schneider Electric established its first factory in Riyadh in 1987 and equipped it with Industry 4.0 applications, including machine learning, software-guided interlocks, AI-based inspections, robotics for flexible automation, and robotic process automation.
Nearly 80% of the workforce in the ISO-certified plant consists of local employees, in line with the Saudi workforce goals of the country.
Furthermore, a 10% of the staff on the production line are women, and 25% are individuals with disabilities. The factory has also been recognised as a Great Place to Work and maintains a safe work environment, boasting 1,250 accident-free days.