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Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
e& enterprise and Exeed Industries team up to fast-track UAE's Industry 4.0 shift - Middle East Business News and Information
e& enterprise, the digital transformation arm of e&, and Exeed Industries, a leading UAE industrial group and a subsidiary of National Holding, have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the partnership is a multi-year programme set to accelerate digital transformation across Exeed Industries' UAE-based factories. Together, both entities will develop a comprehensive Industry 4.0 roadmap – a strategic plan that guides manufacturers in adopting smart, connected technologies to boost efficiency and competitiveness – underpinned by AI and sustainability. The goal is to strengthen the resilience and global standing of UAE manufacturing. e& enterprise will lead the development of the Exeed Industries technology blueprint for Industry 4.0 strategy, working closely with each manufacturing unit and the Group. This roadmap will be key in enabling Exeed Industries to access funding opportunities from Abu Dhabi Investment Office through the Smart Manufacturing Accelerator Programme (SMAP), to implement transformative projects at scale. The scope covers conducting maturity assessments across five Exeed plants, developing tailored smart manufacturing roadmaps, and Deployment of Industrial IoT (IIoT) technologies integrated with AI and GenAI engines, digital twins (which use IIoT data to mirror the real-time performance and condition of physical assets), predictive maintenance and automation. It also includes deploying AI for functions like demand forecasting, quality control, and energy optimisation, as well as integrating ESG-driven platforms to monitor and reduce carbon impact. Majd Coussa, Acting Chief Revenue Officer, e& enterprise, said: 'This partnership represents a model for how we aim to work with forward-looking manufacturers. By combining Exeed's industrial leadership with our deep expertise in digital transformation, we will co-develop scalable solutions that align with the UAE's goals for innovation, sustainability and economic diversification.' Mohammed AlAmeer, Group CEO, Exeed Industries, added: 'At Exeed Industries, we are committed to evolving our manufacturing capabilities to meet the demands of a future-ready industrial sector. This MoU with e& enterprise allows us to reimagine our operations through the lens of digital innovation, contributing directly to national goals under Make it in the Emirates.' As part of the collaboration, e& enterprise will bring its wider climate commitment to the table. After setting ambitious environmental targets for 2030, e& launched its Climate Transition Plan, titled 'Ambition to Action', which sets out a clear roadmap to Net Zero. One of the first companies in the region to publish such a detailed approach, e& is working to decarbonise its operations and support partners like Exeed in embedding sustainable practices across value chains. Sustainability is embedded in e&'s transformation journey, aligned with national and global priorities such as the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, We The UAE 2031 Vision, and the Sustainable Development Goals. The partnership with Exeed will further strengthen ESG-led manufacturing, with the aim of building resilient, resource-efficient industrial models that are future-fit and climate-aligned. The collaboration supports the UAE's broader ambitions to become a global hub for advanced manufacturing, in line with its Industry 4.0 strategy and net zero goals. It will also serve as a replicable framework for other manufacturers in the UAE and the wider region, demonstrating how digital transformation can enhance industrial productivity, energy efficiency and competitiveness. About e& enterprise: e& enterprise is a digital transformation leader supporting governments and large-scale organisations in building and scaling their digital core. Through optimising operations, enhancing customer engagement, and data-driven decision-making, we enable seamless, sustainable, and secure transitions into the evolving digital world. Currently operating in the UAE, KSA, Egypt, Oman, Türkiye, Qatar, and South Africa, e& enterprise brings cutting-edge digital scalable solutions designed to deliver tangible business value and address the unique challenges faced by organisations and executives across industries. With a proven track record as a trusted digital transformation partner, technical expertise, and the ability to deploy and manage complex solutions, e& enterprise provides collaborative tailored solutions that empower customers to navigate their end-to-end digital transformation journey. About Exeed Industries: A subsidiary of National Holding and headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Exeed Industries is a leading diversified manufacturing conglomerate playing a pivotal role in industrial manufacturing and directly contributing to the economic development of the UAE and the wider MENA region. Presently, its operations span six state-of-the-art manufacturing entities across the UAE and Jordan, specialising in building materials, construction, engineering, synthetic materials, and consumer goods. Each entity leads its respective sector with a strong focus on innovation, quality, and sustainability.
NHK
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NHK
Fuji TV third-party panel: Will no longer communicate with ex-TV star's side
A third-party panel set up by Fuji Television and its parent company says it will refrain from communicating with lawyers representing former TV personality Nakai Masahiro in the alleged sexual violence case, citing concerns over secondary damage to the victim. The panel said on Tuesday that it is also refusing again the lawyers' request to disclose evidence it had used to determine that Nakai had committed sexual violence against a former Fuji TV announcer. The panel went on to say that the views of both sides are far apart, adding that its members have found it difficult to bridge the gap. In a report released late March, the panel determined that the woman was subjected to sexual violence by Nakai while engaging in activities related to her work. Their finding was based on the definition of sexual violence by the World Health Organization. In mid-May, Nakai's lawyers requested that relevant evidence be disclosed. But the panel refused, arguing that the fact-finding process was appropriate and that it was under a confidentiality obligation to Fuji Television. On Friday, Nakai's legal team once again demanded that the panel disclose the evidence and provide an explanation, but were turned down in writing on Tuesday. Nakai was a member of the disbanded pop idol group SMAP. He became popular as a TV emcee and actor. He retired from show business in January, after a weekly magazine reported the scandal in December.
NHK
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NHK
Former TV personality Nakai's lawyer disputes panel's report on 'sexual assault'
A lawyer representing former Japanese television personality Nakai Masahiro has disputed a report by an independent panel that concluded Nakai sexually assaulted a woman who was a Fuji television employee at the time. The lawyer said violence and forceful sexual conduct, which the term "sexual assault" suggests, has not been confirmed. The lawyer said the panel's report lacks impartiality and fairness, and is extremely problematic. Nakai's representative issued a statement calling on the panel to disclose the relevant evidence and provide an explanation. Nakai was a member of the disbanded pop idol group SMAP. He became popular as a TV emcee and actor. He retired from show business in January after the scandal came out at the end of last year. A weekly magazine broke the story that Nakai had gotten into trouble with a former Fuji TV employee and paid a settlement.
South China Morning Post
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Japan's Masahiro Nakai sexually assaulted Fuji TV staff amid ‘culture of harassment': report
An independent panel investigating allegations against one of Japan's top celebrities has concluded he sexually assaulted a female employee of Fuji Television Network amid a culture of harassment at the company. Advertisement The report on Monday centred on Masahiro Nakai , a former leader of Japan's once-popular boy band SMAP, and how Fuji TV handled the 2023 case in which Nakai allegedly sexually assaulted a Fuji announcer at a dinner at his home. He later reached a settlement with the woman. A 'serious infringement of human rights occurred', the report by a lawyer-led panel said, describing the incident involving the woman as sexual violence 'occurring as an extension of her job' and refuting Fuji TV executives' previous conclusion that it was a 'private issue', according to Japanese media. 'Although there was no involvement of [other] employees on the day, it was not just a private matter between the two people and we have determined that it was an extension of business duties,' said panel leader Akira Takeuchi as quoted by The Japan Times. But the panel said it was not in a position to establish whether Nakai, who was a host and TV celebrity with Fuji TV, had committed a criminal offence. Advertisement Takeuchi noted, however, that there was a 'persistent culture of sexual harassment at Fuji TV', which was found to have a culture of inviting good-looking female employees to dinners with business partners, potentially giving rise to sexual harassment.
Reuters
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Fuji Media report calls for grievance mechanism after sexual assault scandal
TOKYO, March 31 (Reuters) - Fuji Media (4676.T), opens new tab should apologise to victims of a sexual assault scandal and set up a mechanism to address human rights-related grievances involving the company, according to a report commissioned by the Japanese broadcaster and released on Monday. The probe followed allegations in the Japanese media of sexual misconduct by Masahiro Nakai, a TV host and leader of the former boy band SMAP, which arose in December. The scandal led to an exodus of advertisers and the resignations in January of the company's chairman and the head of its TV unit. Fuji Media also announced last week that Hisashi Hieda, a long-time director at the company, would step down from his post. The report, prepared by an independent team led by three lawyers and stretching to more than 300 pages, determined there had been an instance of "sexual violence that occurred as an extension of work duties" and that the company had not adequately addressed the need of victims for care and redress. In a press release accompanying the committee's report, Fuji Media said: "We apologise to all our stakeholders for any concern and inconvenience caused." Nakai, 52, has apologised for causing "trouble" and announced his retirement from show business. He has acknowledged reaching a settlement with one party but has not addressed the allegations directly.
