Bosch is investing up to $525 million towards the development of electrolyzer components under its Mobility Solutions business sector by the end of the decade. When it comes to green hydrogen, Bosch is stepping on the gas: in the interest of effective climate action, the company is planning not only to use this new fuel, but also to be one of the companies producing it. This is why Bosch is branching out into the development of components for electrolyzers, which use electrolysis to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Ideally, the electricity for this purpose is generated from renewable sources such as wind or photovoltaic power, in which case the result is known as “green hydrogen”.

“We cannot afford to delay climate action any longer, so we aim to use Bosch technology to support the rapid expansion of hydrogen production in Europe,” said Dr. Stefan Hartung, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH, at the presentation of the company’s annual figures.

“To do this, we will leverage our know-how in fuel-cell technology,” added Dr Markus Heyn, member of the board of management of Bosch and chairman of the Mobility Solutions business sector.

In light of energy diversification, the move away from fossil fuels, and the need to reduce CO2 emissions, demand for green hydrogen is growing rapidly – not only in energy-intensive industries such as steel, chemicals, and heavy-duty freight, but also in private real estate.

According to a report published by PwC, demand for green hydrogen across the GCC is expected to grow significantly in the medium term, reaching about 530 million tons by 2050.  Bosch forecasts that the global market for electrolyzer components will increase to a volume of around $14.5 billion over the same period. To help business and society reduce dependency on fossil fuels and harness new forms of energy, Bosch intends to invest some three billion euros in climate-neutral technology, such as electrification and hydrogen, over the next three years.

Source: TFME

The BMW Group is the first automotive manufacturer worldwide to use matt paints made from biomass instead of crude oil at its European plants. In addition to this, BMW Group Plants Leipzig and Rosslyn (South Africa) are also using sustainably-produced corrosion protection. Renewable raw materials such as bio-waste or waste from sewage treatment plants serve as the starting material for the paints. The CO2 savings determined in a TÜV-certified process amount to over 15,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions between now and 2030.

“By reducing our use of fossil raw materials, we can conserve natural resources and lower CO2 emissions at the same time. To achieve this, we are increasingly relying on sustainability innovations in our supplier network,” says Joachim Post, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Purchasing and Supplier Network. “Innovative paints based on renewable raw materials are an important step in this direction.”

BASF’s innovative production process makes it possible to replace petroleum-based precursors, such as naphtha, with renewable raw materials from organic waste, starting in the early stages of paint production. This not only reduces consumption of fossil resources, but also avoids the CO2 emissions associated with the production, transport and processing of crude oil.

The corrosion protection and matt paints used at BMW Group Plants Leipzig and Rosslyn are chemically identical to the paints previously used, with all the same properties as conventionally manufactured body coatings. Since bio-based and conventional coatings are produced on the same line, BASF adopts an externally certified mass balance approach.

The amount of paint purchased by the BMW Group is calculated to be exactly equivalent to the amount of bio-naphtha and bio-methane that would be required for 100-percent petroleum-free production. The sustainable manufacturing process reduces the CO2 emissions from paint production by more than 40 percent. The two BMW Group plants in Leipzig and Rosslyn produce an average of around 250,000 vehicles per year.

Source: TFME

The third Truck and Fleet conference will take place at Dubai’s Radisson Red Hotel in the Silicon Oasis district of Dubai.

Questions such as: Do you have what it takes to be a powerful innovator in your sector? Is your business up to speed when it comes to the economic factors impacting the world of transport and logistics? will be on the agenda featuring a world-class line-up of speakers.

For fleets, there’s simply no better way to get that vital edge over your market competitors. The Truck and Fleet Conference UAE will detail the key opportunities presented by factors like e-commerce, last mile delivery services and digitalisation – all of which can take your business to the next level. That’s never been more important than in today’s cost-conscious and innovation-driven market.

“This keynote event also gives you a raft of targeted, helpful data: setting out the agendas that can help your company tackle a number of critical commercial concerns, and emerge pre-eminent in this ever-challenging marketplace,” said Stephen White, head of content, Truck and Fleet Middle East. “It is the perfect background to understand what to do next and start monetising the right solutions.”

Click here now to register for your free place.

Source: TFME

US-based luxury electric vehicle manufacturer, Lucid Group, has set the stage for the construction of its AMP-2 production facility in Saudi Arabia, with the hosting of a ceremonial signing event.

In a statement, Lucid said that the event celebrated the February 2022 agreements with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Industrial Development Fund, Emaar, the Economic City at King Abdullah Economic City and Gulf International Bank.

Those agreements have set the stage for the construction of the Lucid production facility in Saudi Arabia, which will have a capacity of 155,000 electric vehicles, the statement explained. It added that they will provide financing and incentives to Lucid up to $3.4bn in aggregate over the next 15 years to build and operate the manufacturing facility in the Kingdom.

“This signing ceremony marks yet another step forward in the realisation of Lucid’s mission to inspire the adoption of sustainable energy, and I’m delighted this brand-new manufacturing facility will come to fruition here in Saudi Arabia,” said Peter Rawlinson, Lucid’s CEO and CTO. “I’m truly delighted to partner with PIF, our signing partners, and the Government of Saudi Arabia in advancing our shared vision of global sustainability.”

Rawlinson added: “We are thrilled to be supporting Saudi Arabia in achieving its sustainability goals and Net Zero ambitions, as outlined in Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, by taking steps to help diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy through the establishment of manufacturing capacity in KAEC for up to 155,000 of Lucid’s zero-emissions, electric vehicles per year.”

Rawlinson was joined at the signing event by Sherry House, Lucid’s CFO; Jonathan Butler, Lucid’s General Counsel; Faisal Sultan, Lucid’s Managing Director, Middle East; and senior representatives from the Ministry of Investments, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, and PIF.

His Excellency Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, said: “With this signing ceremony, we are taking a major step towards Saudi Arabia’s goal of diversifying its economy by creating a new manufacturing hub to spearhead the future of mobility for the Middle East region. Attracting a global leader in electric vehicles such as Lucid to open its first international manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia reflects our commitment to creating long-term economic value in a sustainable, enduring, and globally integrated way. This project demonstrates the confidence investors have in Saudi Arabia’s competitiveness, its ability to create opportunity, and serve global demand for a highly complex product such as electric vehicles.”

His Excellency Bandar Alkhorayef, the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and Chairman of Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF), stated that the automotive industry in the Kingdom is one of the important sectors supported by the National Industrial Strategy (NIS), since it is one of the complex industries that contribute to the development of supply chains for a wide range of products, noting that all entities of the industry ecosystem are working together to attract investments, including EVs, to the Kingdom.

Turqi Al-Nowaiser, PIF’s Deputy Governor and Head of International Investments Division said: “PIF partners with leading global innovators, like Lucid, to shape the economies of the future and drive the economic transformation of Saudi Arabia in line with Saudi Vision 2030.”

Lucid reviewed multiple opportunities before selecting KAEC in Saudi Arabia, an area known for its livability and sustainability, as the optimal location for the second of its global network of electric vehicle manufacturing facilities. Lucid also officially designated the new Saudi Arabian plant “AMP-2” (Advanced Manufacturing Plant #2), indicating its position as the next cornerstone of Lucid’s vertically integrated global production network.

The factory is situated in KAEC’s ‘Industrial Valley,’ close to King Abdullah Port along the main Red Sea trading corridor, an area which has handled more than a third of Saudi Arabia’s Western Region container volumes. Lucid’s Middle East regional headquarters in Riyadh has been operational since last year.

Commenting on the agreement, Cyril Piaia, CEO of Emaar The Economic City, master developer of KAEC, remarked: “With this momentous agreement, we welcome Lucid’s first electric vehicle plant outside the US. KAEC and Saudi Arabia stand to reap considerable long-term benefits from the project, which is expected to produce 150,000 electric vehicles per year upon completion and create over 4,500 jobs in the city.

The sustainable-mobility options the plant is set to provide, along with a marked uptick in employment opportunities, will bolster KAEC’s reputation as the Kingdom’s leading automotive hub and a vision-ready platform for investors everywhere. It also reflects our commitment towards the realisation of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals for economic diversification and the development of promising new sectors.”

Abdulaziz Al-Helaissi, Group CEO of GIB, commented: “GIB is proud to be a part of this important step to develop sustainable transportation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and support the transition away from fossil fuels. This is a great opportunity for Lucid and for Saudi Arabia and captures the spirit of Vision 2030. GIB believes that green and sustainable finance can be a force for good and we are committed to a sustainable future.”

“Lucid has set out to address global market demand for EVs, while also taking action to address climate change through inspiring sustainable transportation, and today’s signing ceremony marks the beginning of this journey,” said Faisal Sultan, Lucid’s Managing Director, Middle East. “Alongside PIF, our partners at MISA, KAEC, and SIDF, and our customer at MOF, we have gained unique insight into the demand for electric vehicles and SUVs in Saudi Arabia and beyond, helping in our efforts to introduce the world’s most advanced electric vehicles to exciting new markets.”

At AMP-2, Lucid plans to establish operations initially for re-assembly of Lucid Air vehicle “kits” that are pre-manufactured at the company’s U.S. AMP-1 facility in Casa Grande, Arizona, and, over time, for production of complete vehicles. Lucid expects construction of the plant to commence shortly, and at its peak, Lucid expects to manufacture up to 155,000 vehicles per year at the facility.

Vehicles will be initially slated for the Saudi Arabian market, but Lucid plans to export finished vehicles to other global markets. In addition, Middle East regional deliveries of the Lucid Air are expected to begin later this year, supported from the Casa Grande factory.

In April 2022, the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Saudi Arabia (MOF) entered into an agreement with Lucid to purchase at least 50,000 and potentially up to 100,000 Lucid vehicles over a ten-year period. The order quantity for the committed volume is expected to range from 1,000 to 2,000 vehicles annually and increase to between 4,000 and 7,000 vehicles annually by 2025.

The purchase price of the vehicles will be based on Lucid’s standard retail prices as previously disclosed. This commitment supports the government’s drive to diversify the economy, provide thousands of local highly skilled job opportunities, and provide economic benefits to Saudi Arabia in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Source: TFME

It is over 20 years since Byrne Equipment Rental first launched its KSA operations, and in that time, many things have changed; an increasing number of Saudis have been integrated into the workforce, while the Kingdom has opened up to foreign tourists, priming itself as a major international tourism and leisure destination in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Parallel to this, Byrne has expanded its footprint to include offices and depots in Dammam, Riyadh, Turaif, Jeddah, Yanbu, and of course, it’s HQ in Jubail. For the rental company, in recognition of how the country has changed, a key pillar of their people strategy in the Kingdom, and perhaps the most important, is Saudisation. Today, Byrne is one of the largest single sources for plant and equipment rental in Saudi with an extensive rental fleet of over 5,000 units of equipment, and they have learnt first-hand the value of combining a highly competent multinational team supported, in no small part, by their local Saudi talent pool.

“We have taken a proactive approach to hiring and retaining local talent focusing on younger graduates who we can support further with their education and experience in the industry.” explained Steve Caygill, Byrne’s Regional General Manager UAE and Oman, at their in-person Product Open Day, held in Abu Dhabi recently.

“Saudi has historically been quite a complex market to operate in but many of the reasons for this have changed to encourage new business growth and development, both for existing businesses and those looking to establish there. Part of that comes with initiatives that are driving the Saudi nationalization scheme which we are fully committed to and support.”

As one of the largest equipment rental companies in the Kingdom, Byrne has been making tremendous strides in their efforts to localise their workforce, and earlier this year as part of program training, they recruited and welcomed 11 graduates to the Byrne Equipment Rental team in KSA; coming from Jubail Industrial College, Technical & Vocational Training Corporation, Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu, Petroleum & Natural Gas Institute of Technology and Saudi Petroleum Services Polytechnic, all educated in a variety of disciplines such as Engineering and Technology.

“The level of knowledge coming from university candidates at this moment in time is very strong and they’re very willing and keen to work in that segment. They are chiefly aligned to the O&G space. Obviously, wages are better aligned to that industry, but they are definitely sought after,” Caygill insists.

Right now, the “fast movers” in Byrne Rental’s vast portfolio of products can be found in their HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) division including split & package air conditioning units, chillers, air-handlers, cooling towers, dehumidifiers, heaters and ventilation equipment. Coupled with the development side of things in the O&G space, much of Byrne’s work continues to come through the human welfare side of things like temporary camps, accommodation and temporary offices.

“We employ a lot of manpower over there and just geographically from a fleet point of view the second largest amount of our fleet sits in Saudi, after the UAE. Beyond the O&G sector there is of course the well-known projects like NEOM and the Red Sea development, which will continue for several years. We’re at the very early stages of that and there is a lot of work being conducted.”

Similarly, Byrne expects to be a key player in the continued evolution of Saudi’s growing entertainment industry. Entertainment venues increased from 154 in 2017 to 277 in 2020, according to Vision 2030, as the country prepares to deal with a surge in high profile events over the decade. The industry in KSA is only getting bigger and better and popular events such as Riyadh season and the F1 have shown that the Kingdom is ready and more than capable to step it up a notch and host even bigger events on a global scale. Since the Vision was adopted, over 2,000 events have been hosted, with over 46mn visitors. On the local front, the government is aiming to increase household spending on entertainment and cultural activities from 2.6% to 6% by 2030, with the aim of becoming the top events destination in the region through local and international visitors.

All of this is good news for Byrne Equipment Rental who specialise in supplying events specific equipment including sanitation and catering facilities, temporary buildings, barrier and seating, and power generation. As Caygill points out: “One of the other things in line with 2030 is the branding of Saudi worldwide. They are doing so many events making this our largest event space now and for the next ten years.”

In the last three decades that Byrne have been in the Middle East, the Regional Manager says he has seen a “seismic change” in the rental industry in both construction and Oil & Gas.

“Before, these companies held a lot of equipment, owned a lot of assets and were pouring a lot of capital into those assets because there needed to be a lot of overheads to support that. But they’re really now starting to see the value of rental. It’s something that they are very comfortable with. Obviously if something breaks down or there is a problem, we carry that burden and responsibility so they definitely see the value in that now. It’s been a real change.”

Rental companies like Byrne find themselves in high demand as companies continue to look for cost-effective solutions following a pandemic where finance had to be severely curtailed. Such open days are all about “reconnecting” on the back of Covid says Caygill and allowing them to have facetime with customers, something quite difficult to do over the preceding 24 months.

“We want to bring new customers out here to see the wider spread while existing customers may not be fully aware of the new products we have on board over that period of time. It’s a great opportunity generally to catch up with clients on a day like this.”

For clients too, the conversation undoubtedly turns towards Saudi Arabia at some point where investment by the country’s leaders with Vision 2030, coupled with the global attraction that Saudi Arabia is generating, means that there will be ample growth opportunities for everyone over the next decade. Byrne, with a foot already firmly established inside the door, foresees the country fast becoming a hub for the Arab world and a global hub for travel and tourism, creating a strong need for support through services and equipment solutions.

To lead that drive Byrne has recently appointed James Dodgson as their new Regional General Manager covering Saudi Arabia. He’s tasked with ensuring that Byrne is geared up to support their growth in any way required including overseeing it’s continued investment and development alongside that of the Saudi economy, and ensuring their Saudisation strategy continues to move forward.

This interview originally appeared in the May 2022 issue of Construction Machinery Middle East.

Source: TFME

Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles and Equipment (CV&E) says it will offer flexible financing and services for the newest brand to join its ranks.

The firm has been formally revealed as the authorised distributor for Toyo Carriers Manufacturing (TCM) in the whole of the UAE.

TCM, a long-established global brand in the material handling industry, offers a high-quality portfolio of forklift products designed and engineered to meet client requirements. Supplied from production facilities in Japan, China, Thailand, and Europe, TCM’s value-for-money product range includes internal combustion engine forklifts, electric counterbalanced forklifts, reach trucks and skid steer loaders.

The load capacity of small TCM forklifts ranges from 1.5 tonnes to 23 tonnes, with the brand’s large-size products able to support heavy tasks such as container handling operations in ports.

“As its authorised distributor, we at Al Masaood CV&E are tying our customer-centric sales and aftersales support to TCM’s robust product range through this partnership, thereby providing an end-to-end service to our customers,” said Mohamed El Zeftawi, general manager of Al Masaood CV&E.

“To offer holistic solutions, we also provide flexible financing schemes and attractive leasing options. TCM is the latest in Al Masaood’s growing network of partnerships with renowned global brands, best known for their quality and excellence. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to bringing to the UAE market top quality products to support the operations of relevant local sectors. TCM’s line of forklifts is available at Al Masaood CV&E showrooms in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Northern Emirates (Sharjah).”

Kosuke Matsuda, acting deputy manager – Overseas Sales and Marketing Headquarters, Mitsubishi Logisnext Co., Ltd., said his firm was proud of part that the TCM brand has played in the history of Japanese technology.

“The TCM brand had pioneered the manufacturer of the first “Made in Japan” internal combustion forklift truck in 1949. We are indeed grateful for the many years of trust from our customers in the UAE who appreciate the reliability of the TCM brand,” said Matsuda.

“Our increasing collaboration with Al Masaood CV&E, the exclusive TCM agent in the UAE, is intended to open up new frontiers to continue in the excellent delivery of our after-sales service and for be-spoke solutions in material handling.

“The UAE is one of the most important global market for us at TCM. As we aim to build a more robust market presence in the country and the region, we are confident that partnering with Al Masaood CV&E is the right strategy for us given its proven track record in sales and aftersales support, technical capability, and outstanding customer service.

“TCM’s diverse product range has been designed to deliver affordable top quality that satisfies varying customer needs across multiple sectors. With the arrival of TCM forklifts in Abu Dhabi, we look forward to combining our expertise, resources and services to deliver the best customer experience and form a stronger local market presence for our brand.”

The TCM forklift range is available at Al Masaood CV&E’s showrooms in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Northern Emirates (Sharjah). Apart from TCM, Al Masaood CV&E is also the sole distributor in Abu Dhabi for UD Trucks, Renault Trucks, and UniCarriers Forklift, and in the UAE for Oshkosh Fire Trucks, along with other well-known brands of heavy equipment and ancillary products.

Source: TFME

Dubai;s Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA) has awarded its “Sustainable Transport Contractor” prize to ACCIONA’s joint-venture for the Dubai Metro extension project.

The “Dubai Metro Route 2020” project consists of the construction of a 15-kilometre-long section, including 11.8 km of raised viaduct and a 3.2-km-long tunnel that starts from Nakheel Harbour & Tower station on the Red Line.

In total, there are seven stations, including an interchange at Nakheel Harbour & Tower and an emblematic Metro station to welcome visitors to the site of the Universal Expo.

The awards recognise road and transport projects and initiatives carried out in Dubai that make a positive contribution to caring for the environment through the application of sustainable construction principles.

The Extension Route 2020 was officially inaugurated in October 2021, coinciding with the start of Expo 2020. ACCIONA and partners were recognised for their optimisation of the cooling systems and installed solar panels to generate energy at seven of its stations.

The award ceremony took place in the World Trade Center of Dubai and the prize was received on behalf of ACCIONA by its Project Director, José Luis Oliván.

One of the main reasons leading to the prize was the award of LEED V4 Gold certification for the seven stations that ACCIONA and its partners built as part of the project, said the winning firm.

It is the highest sustainability grading at world level and recognises good practices carried out to implement resilient and energy-efficient infrastructures. These certifications have made the extension of the Dubai Metro the world’s biggest transport project with LEED Gold certification.

To increase energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of the Metro station, ACCIONA optimised the cooling systems and installed solar panels to generate energy, as well as using low-emission and insulating materials on the outer walls and roof cladding, among other elements. These measures have achieved a 24% reduction in energy consumption, as well as a 55% saving in water consumption. Furthermore, 95% of the construction material waste has been saved and the start-up process for the stations has been improved.

Source: TFME

In the spirit of generosity during the holy month of Ramadan, Careem and Hala matched all Customer tips made on the app across the UAE, Pakistan, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain to recognize the hard work of ride-hailing and delivery Captains. The total amount of customer tips collected across Careem and Hala, and then doubled by the companies, amounted to AED 1,293,929 (US $352,280).

“We want to thank our Customers for their generosity to Captains during the holy month of Ramadan,” said Bassel Alnahlaoui, Managing Director of Mobility at Careem. “Our Captains work hard to simplify people’s lives every day and we are pleased to deliver AED 1,293,929 to them  by matching tips across the UAE, Pakistan, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.”

Basil Hovakeemian, CEO of Hala, added: “We are proud of our Captains who work tirelessly to bring people together during the holy month of Ramadan. It means a great deal to us that our customers can acknowledge the dedication and hard work our Captains put in each and every day”.

Customers tipped Captains on the app for rides after the completion of a ride and for food and grocery deliveries at order checkout. Careem and Hala then matched the amounts tipped, putting both 100% of each Customer tip and another 100% match in each Captain’s weekly pay throughout the month.

During Ramadan Careem also paused orders for food in all markets for 30 minutes to enable Captains to break their fast during iftar time.

Source: TFME

Strengthening its SUV dominance in the Middle East, Nissan has announced the regional launch of a bold and versatile Nissan Pathfinder 2022.

During the first nine months of 2021, Nissan saw an increase of 10% in sales in the Gulf last year and popular off-roader returns to keep this run going with a complete redesign and a host of mechanical and technological upgrades to cater to the growing needs of families in the region.

The fifth-generation Pathfinder fuses traditional with modern touches and emphasises its “bold design through a unique mix of elements and a strong identity”. While the sillouhette of the car is more evolution than revolution in terms of design, welcome touches such as the elegant C-shaped LED lights, do mark an upgrade even if sports a familiar-looking 3-slot grille and fender design

The appeal of the 2022 model is largely what is in offer rather than what catches the eye. The brand’s popular SUV line-up has been enhanced since the introduction of the suite of features such as industry leading technologies including ProPILOT and Nissan Safety Shield 360. The all-new Nissan Pathfinder 2022 also features a two-tone paint scheme for the first time ever on the range and an all-new 9-speed automatic gearbox that offers 30% better acceleration than the outgoing model.

The interior of the adventure-ready Pathfinder features refined materials and a robust, open design. Driver and passengers are greeted with a modern, spacious environment that enhances comfort and versatility with heated and ventilated front seats, available 8-way power driver’s seat including 4-way power lumbar support and available 2-way power front passenger seat. Seating flexibility has been enhanced with standard 8-person capacity or, for the first time on the Pathfinder, premium second-row captain’s chairs for a 7-person capacity (available in the SL grade). The second-row bench seats now offers EZ FLEX one-touch release fold/slide with push button activation from both front and rear sides of the seats, making life easier for parents and backseat passengers alike.

The SUV’s cargo area has also increased, with a new easy-to-clean luggage box offering additional 54.4 liters of under-cargo storage. This is accompanied by a large center console storage box for tablets, laptops, and smartphones, in addition to a console pass-through area that adds an additional 13.4-liters of storage. Long trips will also be a breeze with a total of 16 (!!) beverage holders, five USB ports, a new storage shelf above the glove compartment, and standard Tri-Zone Automatic Temperature Control with second row climate control and rear roof vents.

The all-new Nissan Pathfinder 2022 offers the latest Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) technologies including ProPILOT which eases driver workload by reducing the amount of acceleration, steering, and braking input under certain driving conditions, such as single-lane highway driving. The the optional Nissan Safety Shield 360, offers protection through Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot intervention, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure intervention, High Beam Assist, and Intelligent Forward Collision Warning.

Source: TFME

At the end of March, M Glory Group laid the foundation stone for the United Arab Emirate’s first industrial facility to manufacture electric vehicles (EV) at Dubai Industrial City, one of the largest industrial hubs in the region, and worth an investment of $408 million.
The factory’s official opening on 28 March was presided over by His Excellency Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, undersecretary at MoIAT, Dr Magda Al-Azazi, chair of the Board of Directors of M Glory Holding Group, and Saud Abu Al-Shawareb, managing director of Industrial City.

The sustainable industrial facility, with advanced capabilities will be the UAE’s first plant of its kind and is expected to produce 55,000 cars per year to meet a rising demand for green mobility to reduce global carbon emissions.

M Glory Holding aims to benefit from the Fourth Industrial Revolution and sustainability by employing future technologies and robotics in the manufacture of EVs. The corporation’s new facility will be an extension to their portfolio, which includes robotics engineering and artificial intelligence as well as sustainable real estate.

The new factory at Dubai Industrial City will create more than 1,000 jobs and is built on a total land area of 1 million sqft to accommodate future expansion plans. The electric cars will be exported to the wider GCC region, Egypt, Tanzania, Senegal, Mali and Kenya. Dubai Industrial City, part of TECOM Group, is one of the most prominent industrial and logistics hubs in the region with more than 280 factories and 750 business partners across several strategic sectors.

It is a major contributor to achieving several national strategies including the “Operations 300 billion”. Dubai Industrial City and The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) recently have signed a deal designed to further enhance the UAE’s industrial sector while facilitating decarbonisation efforts. The Memorandum of Understanding was focused on three core elements, including enabling the UAE’s Industry 4.0 programme, attracting foreign investors as part of “Make It In The Emirates” campaign, and facilitating decarbonisation across the industrial sector. The partnership’s objectives are in line with the UAE’s industrial strategy, which aims to develop the nation’s industrial sector and raise its contribution to the GDP.

At the event, M Glory unveiled their first fully electric car called “Al Damani” DMV300. With two different models built using European specifications, the car has a battery capacity of 52.7 kWh and can cover more than 405km on a single charge.

His Excellency Omar Al-Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, said: “The ministry, in coordination with partners from the UAE’s industrial sector, is implementing a package of projects and initiatives under the UAE’s national industrial strategy. The aim of these projects is to make vital sectors in the UAE, including the industrial and technological sectors, even more attractive to investors. They will also help industries of the future to develop new competitive advantages and consolidate the position of the UAE as a hub for global companies, investments and talents.”

His Excellency continued: “The ministry is focused on encouraging local manufacturers to diversify and develop their production to support the growth of national industries and enhance their competitiveness. The establishment of a factory to produce electric vehicles in the country is in line with the ministry’s efforts to create new competitive advantages for advanced industries. It is also in line with the goals of the ’Make in the Emirates‘ campaign, launched by the ministry, which focuses on enhancing the future and sustainability of industries.”

Reflecting on the occasion, Saud Abu Al-Shawareb, managing director of Industrial City, said, “Sustainability is a global responsibility and transitioning to alternative, low emission energy sources is an integral part of achieving a greener future. The manufacturing industry can play an essential role in enabling the national net zero strategy by delivering innovative, technology-backed solutions in line with Operation 300bn and powered by our partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. M Glory’s addition to our community demonstrates our commitment to boosting the manufacturing industry, as well as supportive environment that empowers local manufacturers like M Glory to set up operations and fuel the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative.”

Dr Magda Al-Azazi, chair of the Board of Directors of M Glory Holding Group, said: “Today we are laying the foundation stone to inaugurate an Emirati industrial facility with international specifications where we will manufacture environmentally-friendly electric cars, contributing to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and support sustainable development.”

She added: “The M Glory factory for the manufacture of electric cars will be the first of its kind in the UAE and it will operate through two production cycles per year. It will employ the technologies and techniques of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including a welding line, a dyeing line and a final assembly line using the latest robots in the manufacturing processes.”

She stated that the factory will produce a variety of electric cars, the types and details of which will be revealed during the coming period. She added that these cars will be competitive and durable as they are compatible with the environment and atmosphere of the Gulf region and will constitute a qualitative addition to the electric car sector.

Dr Al-Azazi continued: “The announcement of the new facility comes in conjunction with Expo 2020 Dubai and carries forward the momentum achieved by this international event, which has strengthened the country’s position regionally and globally. It has helped define the emirate’s ability to attract business and investments, thanks to its world-class infrastructure, security and stability, as well as legislation and laws that keep pace with the country’s advancement. This has enabled the UAE to become a global economic center, topping international economic indicators in terms of competitiveness and business environment.

She emphasised that the industrial sector in the UAE is on the verge of a great renaissance thanks to the 50 principles announced by the national government. Such foresight has accelerated the development of the sector by boosting national industrial institutions and companies, developing their businesses and capabilities, and opening new markets for them to expand globally.

She concluded: “I value the support and facilities provided by Dubai Industrial City to launch this first industrial facility of its kind in the Middle East, as it provides the ideal ecosystem for launching and expanding our ambitions and future expansion plans.”

The UAE is gearing up sustainability efforts under the UAE Road to Net Zero Strategy.
Transportation is one of the main producers of greenhouse gases globally. The shift to public and private electric transport is quickly gaining momentum with consumer spending on EVs reaching US$120 billion in 2020 according to the International Energy Agency. Even local initiatives such as Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) goal to make public transport emission-free by 2050 demonstrating shifting mentality towards environmentally friendly transportation.

Covering more than 550 million sq. ft., Dubai Industrial City is designed around a world-class masterplan that divides the massive business district into strategic sector-focused zones.

It serves as a catalyst for the growth and expansion of the industrial sector in the UAE and is committed to enabling projects in renewable energy and sustainability in line with Operation 300bn and the UAE Road to Net Zero by 2050.

Source: TFME