03 July 2012
GE Energy Manufacturing Technology Center Marks First
Anniversary with Focus on Driving Localization and Job
Creation
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Employs about 400 Technologists to Support Saudi's
Growing Energy Infrastructure
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Serving more than 50 Customers in Saudi Arabia, the
Middle East, Africa and Europe
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Extended Service Support for over 450 Gas Turbines to
Increase Efficiency
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Training more than 100 Saudi Students as Part of the GE
Joint Technical Program
DAMMAM, SAUDI ARABIA-July 3, 2012-Achieving a series of
firsts in technology, customer services and the development
of local talent, the Dammam-based GE Energy (NYSE: GE)
Manufacturing Technology Center has successfully completed
its first year of operations.
The Saudi technology center achieved key milestones in the
delivery of service technology to Saudi and global
customers, enabling enhanced operational efficiencies along
the entire energy value chain, while continuing to drive
the development of Saudi human resources. These
achievements are in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2020
goals of promoting localization and empowering national
talent towards a knowledge-based economy.
As GE's largest energy facility of its kind today, the GE
Energy Manufacturing Technology Center marked a SAR 1
billion (US$250 million) investment by GE, underlining the
company's long-term commitment to the Kingdom.
Joseph Anis, president and CEO for GE Energy in the Middle
East said, "Not only is the center a fulfillment of our
promise of better service through localized technology to
our customers, it is testament to our long-term commitment
to the Kingdom. Through the center, GE is proud to be
serving the technology and service needs of its long-term
customers including Saudi Electricity Company, Saudi
Aramco, Marafiq and SABIC. We are also proud of the
center's focus on technical talent development to support
the Kingdom's growing energy infrastructure and further
establish the Kingdom as a technology hub for the global
energy industry."
To complement the human development goal outlined in Saudi
Vision 2020, the facility is employing about 400
technologists and training another 100 under the Saudi GE
Joint Technical Program (JTP). Program participants are
being trained in key areas of maintenance and repair of gas
turbines, electrical motors and generators that are
critical to the efficient generation of electricity in the
Kingdom. More than 60 percent Saudization has been achieved
to date at the technology center.
In its first year, the center has serviced 450 gas turbines
that power the Kingdom, with GE today supporting the
generation of half of the Kingdom's electricity through
more than 500 turbines installed at various sites. The
center also provides extended service to more than 50 key
customers based in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East,
Africa and Europe, underling its competencies to help local
and global customers achieve operational efficiencies with
advanced and localized technology and services.
A joint venture with Ali A. Tamimi Co, the center consists
of three key main components: a manufacturing facility of
high technology equipment for the power, water and oil and
gas industries; a service and repair center for advanced
turbine equipment; and a training center that offers the
latest technology and managerial courses for college
students, field engineers and other power industry
professionals throughout the region. Recently, GE signed
another strategic partnership agreement with TVTC that will
train annually 150 select Saudi technical graduates in the
GE Energy Manufacturing Technology Center.
About GE's Energy Presence in Saudi Arabia
Since supplying Saudi Arabia with turbomachinery for its
first oil expedition in 1942, GE has been a growth
technology partner to the Kingdom. GE technology produces
more than 180 million liters of clean water that is
delivered to the most remote corners of Saudi Arabia. GE
has three offices, eight energy facilities and more than
1,000 employees in Saudi Arabia, putting GE closer to
customers and providing them with faster response.
Continuing GE's over 130-year history of successful
development in human capital around the globe, GE has
steadily expanded knowledge-sharing initiatives in Saudi.
The company has developed several successful co-op programs
with leading Saudi institutions such as the King Abdullah
University of Science & Technology. GE also has a robust
Saudization plan backed by comprehensive training programs
for young nationals and plans to double its workforce in
the Kingdom by 2013.
Join the conversation at our GE Hewar blog: http://middleeast.geblogs.com/.
About GE
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more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
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