RIYADH — Through its Home of Innovation growth initiative, SABIC has announced strategic marketing relationships with 40 global, regional and local manufacturing companies, including 3M Saudi Arabia, to promote the introduction of industry-leading technology into Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region. “We look forward to collaborating with these companies to seek cost-effective, high-performance solutions that meet customer needs and increase demand for the design, manufacturing and purchase of new products in the Kingdom,” said Awadh Al-Maker, executive vice president, technology and innovation, SABIC. “At 3M, we are excited to collaborate once again with SABIC and thus contribute towards the introduction of industry-leading technologies into the Saudi market and the wider Middle East region,” said Osama Hammoudeh, managing director of 3M KSA. “We have a prolonged relationship with SABIC which goes beyond the inception of the Home of Innovation program and together over the years we have developed a set of unique products that have helped enhance protection in workplace and improve productivity.” “Saudi Arabia is at the core of our growth strategy and we have been actively pursuing opportunities in this market to build our local capabilities, especially in manufacturing and technical aspects of our business,” said Hammoudeh. “Our state of the art Innovation Center in Riyadh has been acting as a perfect platform for various industry professionals to engage and learn about our latest technological advancements in their respective fields. Built on its tremendous success, we will soon be opening a new Innovation Center facility in Dammam area, specifically designed to serve companies in the oil and gas industry and provide them with latest innovative solutions and technologies.” “SABIC is committed to enabling downstream industry development in the Kingdom and region, and Home of Innovation provides a unique platform to engage the local market,” said Tymon Moore, marketing director, Middle East & Africa at SABIC. “We look forward to exploring long-term, mutual growth opportunities to help advance the local and regional economy.” Through the initiative, SABIC engaged companies that demonstrated an interest in growing their business in the Kingdom and Middle East region. Additional qualities included a respected and recognized brand, a desire to engage with SABIC strategically, and innovative yet commercially-available systems or products. Participating companies self-selected among three engagement levels — Leadership, Performance and Program — which afford varying degrees of regional exposure, business opportunities, industry connections and market insight. The Leadership level currently includes Harwal Group of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, New Products Industries Corp. (NEPRO) of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Philips Saudi Lighting of Riyadh, and Schneider Electric of France. 3M is among a group of companies at the Performance level, which also includes ABB, AlWasail Industrial Company, Arabian Gulf Manufacturers (AGM), Badger Meter, Geberit, Honeywell, Kawakita Denki Kigyosha (KDK), Kohler, Miele, REHAU, Riyadh Cables, Saft, Samsung, and Watts Industries. The Program level currently includes AlBarakah Company for Industry, Al Jazierah Home Appliances, Future Building Systems (FBS), Grundfos, Legrand, Leviton, Manik, Middle East Fiber Cable (MEFC), Panasonic Eco Solutions, Pentair, Plastbau Arabia, SAFID, Saudi Rubber Products Factory, Sermeta, Siemens, Somfy, SunPower, TE Connectivity, Thermaflex, Vimar and Wavin. Representing the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Americas, participating companies illustrate the global, regional and local representation sought by the Home of Innovation initiative. Additional participation agreements are expected. In addition to engaging the local and regional market through industry events and targeted collaboration opportunities, SABIC is building a Home of Innovation facility in Riyadh to provide meaningful market awareness and insight, foster collaboration along the entire value chain and showcase advanced product and materials solutions. The facility is expected to be completed in the first half of next year. — SG
