Schneider Electric, a global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has opened a new production line in Riyadh to manufacture hardware that will contribute to Saudi Arabia’s energy efficiency and sustainability.
The state-of-the-art production line will support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of positioning the Kingdom as a global manufacturing hub, increasing opportunities to export energy management solutions to regional and international markets.
“The launch of the new production line is equipped with the latest automation technology and robotics. When it comes on stream and reaches full capacity, jobs will be available and offered to the Saudi workforce, prioritising youth and women in technical roles. Up to 10% of the workforce on the assembly line will also be allocated to women,” said Mohamed Shaheen, Cluster President of Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Schneider Electric.
“As a leader in energy management and digital transformation, Schneider Electric’s new manufacturing line will produce intelligent equipment to empower companies to become more energy efficient and fulfil their decarbonisation and sustainability journey. It underscores our commitment to contribute to the Kingdom’s aims of tripling industrial output and strengthening its position as a global manufacturing base in line with Saudi Vision 2030.”
It will produce Schneider Electric’s intelligent Altivar Process Modular (APM) Drives. These innovative, connected devices will be used in industrial processes, machines or building to improve energy efficiency. Each unit will carry the ‘Made in KSA’ tag, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a global exporter of intelligent digital products.
The factory was inaugurated during Schneider Electric’s Saudi Arabia Innovation Summit 2023 in Riyadh. Held under Innovations for a Sustainable World, Schneider Electric’s first event in the Kingdom explored the software and technologies, making the digital, electric world a reality across homes, buildings, data centres, industry, and infrastructure.
The new assembly line reflects Schneider Electric’s commitment to diversity, digital transformation and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) – a blueprint to transform Saudi Arabia into a global logistics hub.
The advanced production line will also contribute to the Kingdom’s National Industrial Strategy, which aims to triple industrial output and increase the value of Saudi Arabia’s industrial exports to approximately $149 billion by 2030.
Schneider Electric established the factory in Riyadh in 1987. It has Industry 4.0 applications, including machine learning, software-guided interlocks, AI-based inspections, and robotics for flexible and robotic process automation.
Local workers comprise 80% of the ISO-certified plant’s workforce, aligning with the country’s Saudization goals. Moreover, 10% of the staff deployed across the production line are women, while 25% are people with disabilities. It has also been recognised as a Great Place to Work and a safe work environment, with 1,250 free accident days to its credit.