Al Salem Johnson Controls (YORK) held a symposium entitled "Sustainable Localization"

Since the announcement of Vision 2030, the Kingdom has been undergoing historic economic transformation, freeing itself from its dependence on crude oil and moving towards a better future with confidence and speed that is based on diversity and the attraction of international investments. The vision focuses on the private sector, believing in its crucial role as a strategic partner in achieving sustainable development.

The contribution of the private sector in the past years to the GDP has been less than 40%, but according to the Kingdom’s vision 2030, this ratio will increase by 2020 to reach 65% by encouraging domestic and foreign investments in various sectors, with a specific focus on energy, in addition to other sectors such as healthcare, municipal services, housing, finance and more.

In line with this orientation, and the unique initiative to promote localization of the HVAC sector, Al Salem Johnson Controls (YORK), in the presence of representatives from the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Saudi Electricity Company, and the Technical College in Jeddah, as well as the Ambassador of the Saudi Industry Eng. Jassim Al Shammari, held a symposium entitled "Sustainable Localization". The symposium focused on the localization of manufacturing and the transfer of global best practices and technologies to apply them locally. The company shared its successful experience in transferring knowledge and technology from USA, Italy and other countries to the Kingdom, and uplifting the HVAC local manufacturing industry with international quality, standards, and specifications.

 “The role of the private sector in contributing to the achievements of the Saudi vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program 2020. He stressed his interest in implementing the company's strategy, which is in line with the vision to put the Kingdom on the map of the industrialized countries of the future”, said Dr. Mohanad AlShaikh, CEO of Al Salem Johnson Controls,

Dr. AlShaikh further stressed that the strong partnership between his company and Johnson Controls International has played a major role in accelerating the process of transferring technology; which would usually be extremely difficult due to the clandestine nature of their technologies and methods. He pointed out that the Saudi market needs more investment in the industrial sector, which will be the next focal point in driving economic development according to the Vision 2030. He also asserted his company's keenness to support new projects in the Saudi market with the latest HVAC units and solutions.

Furthermore, to benefit the public and raise awareness on the importance of localizing industries and jobs, the company presented during the symposium how it began importing HVAC units, then in 2001 established its Jeddah YORK manufacturing facility, and was keen to transfer the latest international HVAC technologies to the factory, as well as training local engineers and technicians to gain skills and expertise. Today the company manufactures HVAC units with YORK’s approved global standards and quality, and sells them in local markets. It is worth mentioning that the research and development department within the factory enabled the engineering, design and development of new a cooling technology for central air conditioning, to be a Saudi developed and designed “technology” and not just Saudi “manufactured”.

The company has provided cooling solutions to a number of major projects in the Kingdom, such as the two Holy Mosques, King Abdul Aziz Endowment (Clock Tower), Jabal Omar in Makkah, Kingdom Tower, Al Faisaliah Tower, Princess Nora University, Imam Muhammad Bin Saud University in Riyadh, Hospitals, hotels, and residential towers. In addition, the company has exported several units from the (YORK) manufacturing plant in Jeddah to countries in the Middle East and Africa. Some of the most prominent projects that are cooled by (YORK) units manufactured in Saudi Arabia are Sharm El-Sheikh and Ghardaga international airports in Egypt, Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi, Atlantis Water Park in Dubai, the University of Science and Technology and the Patchi Factory in Beirut. The company is also working on achieving strategic partnerships with leading companies in the industrial sector in order to transfer knowledge and technology, as well as localize expertise in the fields of manufacturing, maintenance as ell as research and development.

During the symposium, the company presented the success stories of some of its engineers, technicians and graduates who are currently working in the factory under the "Young Leaders" program. It is worthy to note that the program has recently witnessed the accession of the first female graduate that joined the program in the factory, where she trained as a technician on production lines and gained knowledge and training in the field of HVAC.