Renowned global technology player Honeywell has committed to open a new production facility for gas detectors in Saudi Arabia under the Kingdom’s ‘In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA)’ program.
Instituted to expedite Saudisation, IKTVA’s purpose is to gain 70 percent localization of production and jobs by 2021 and act as a catalyst of Saudi Vision 2030. The new “Made in the Kingdom” Honeywell factory will maintain IKTVA’s localization objectives by generating jobs for Saudi nationals that improve workforce skills and capabilities.
Through this initiative, Honeywell becomes the first international company delivering gas detectors in the Kingdom, empowering local availability of the equipment, shorter lead times, and on-the-ground customer support. The devices will present a reliable and cost-effective way to guarantee the safety, compliance and efficiency of workers who are working in hazardous environments in Saudi Arabia.
“Our advanced gas detection systems help keep workers safe and enable them to rapidly respond to gas leaks and site incidents. We’re proud to bring new manufacturing capabilities to Saudi Arabia to help industrial customers maximise safety, improve operational performance and better mitigate emissions.”
Positioned at the extension of Dhahran Techno Valley, the Honeywell plant will manufacture 10,000 portable gas detectors and 800 fixed gas detectors annually when it reaches optimum production capacity in 2022. The production line covers the multigas Honeywell BW series, in addition to fixed detectors including Searchpoint Optima Plus Point Infrared Gas Detector and XNX Universal Transmitter.
Norm Gilsdorf, President, High Growth Regions – Honeywell
“Honeywell remains committed to supporting the national Saudisation drive and helping the country meet its Saudi Vision 2030 objectives. Over the course of our six-decade history in the Kingdom, we have continued to further the transformation of the country’s future through the establishment of localisation initiatives and deployment of advanced solutions. This new facility marks another milestone in our Saudi Arabian history, providing new employment opportunities and expediting an increased drive for locally manufactured goods.”
For Honeywell, Saudi Arabia is a high-growth, strategically significant market. It remains to play an important role in promoting the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s industries and successful long-term careers through the initiation of training programs, partnerships and facilities that support the country’s conversion to a knowledge-based economy. These include collaborating with professors and researchers from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran on new catalytic methods for producing paraxylene, the Honeywell UOP University and Global TECPro initiatives, among others.
