Al Salem Johnson Controls (ASJC), A joint venture between Al Salem group of companies and Johnson Controls International the global leader in building efficiency providing its customers with integrated solutions that incorporate HVAC equipment, fire & security systems, building management systems and controls that increase energy efficiency in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has signed an agreement with King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), to purchase and establish their largest manufacturing facility and training center at the Industrial Valley in King Abdullah Economic City.
The plant, which is to be built on a 203,000 square meter land, with an investment valued around SR 250 million will have the opportunity to further expand and provide high-quality products, services and solutions to develop energy efficiency and operations for different types of buildings.
The facility, which is expected to begin its first phase development immediately will be one of the company’s largest in the Middle East and is expected to be fully operational by 2014, with over 700 job opportunities once the factory is fully operational.
The new manufacturing facility will be set to produce a range of pro-ducts to supply the region’s residential, commercial and industrial sectors; it’s highly anticipated to contribute largely in boosting the capacity of pharmaceutical and petrochemical industry players in the Kingdom.
The agreement with ASJC for the construction marks the opportunities that KAEC’s Industrial Valley offers by applying world-class standards providing all the necessary services for the establishment of manufacturing and logistic facilities while continually looking to innovate and enhance the companies’ products, service, solutions representing a strategic center to reach around 250 million consumers in the Middle East and North Africa.
Welcoming ASJC to KAEC, Mr. Fahd Al-Rasheed, Managing Director and CEO of KAEC, said: “ Al Salem Johnson Controls ‘ decision to locate its manufacturing facility in KAEC adds a whole new dimension to the Industrial Valley and will greatly support the development of industrial clusters, which is one of the strategic objectives to promote the diversification of the Kingdom’s manufacturing and export capabilities in line with the inspired vision of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.”
Sheikh Saleh Binladen, Executive Board Member of Al Salem Johnson Controls said:” We are confident in our decision to have our new facility in KAEC as it embodies the vision and direction of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin AbdulAziz Al Saud, of engaging the public and private sectors in the economic, social and urban development of the Kingdom”.
He added:” Our Joint Venture with Johnson controls International has given us a positive footprint in the industry throughout the Kingdom, and we trust that with our continuous support, they will continuously keep expanding through building efficiency businesses, providing solutions for operating buildings effectively, and efficiently”.
Engineer Basil Abdulaziz, Vice President and Managing Director of Al Salem Johnson Controls said: “We have been studying the KAEC’s development process and we came to realize the importance of investing in the promising economic, social environment it offers and the pride it would bring to the Kingdom through the city’s strategic location integrated with a world-class seaport serving as a gateway to the regional and international market to the Kingdom’s gas network, the commencement of Al Haramain Railway project, linking Makkah and Madina via Jeddah and KAEC.
He added: “We have no doubt that our presence in KAEC will have a positive effect towards our commitment to sustainability, and our ability to pursue new horizons such as our newly training and research centre to be developed with all the advantages provided by KAEC’s fully integrated investment environment and the quality of jobs it will create which eventually contributes to the well-being of Saudi citizens city’s”.
With a view to support the Kingdom’s transformation to a knowledge economy, it is attracting global leaders to invest in novel industries in Saudi Arabia, leveraging the Kingdom’s outstanding competitive advantages. ASJC’s move to undertake its manufacturing facility and related operational activities in King Abdullah Economic City solidifies the city’s position as a premier investment destination for knowledge industries, representing an ideal regional hub for partaking in the booming Middle East emerging market.”
