Latest news with #smartmanufacturing
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Middle East manufacturers lead globally in generative AI adoption
Manufacturers across the Middle East are global front-runners in deploying AI with tangible business goals, according to the 10th annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report commissioned by US-based global industrial automation giant Rockwell Automation. The study, based on feedback from more than 1,500 manufacturing leaders globally, shows that 98 percent of firms in the region are either using or planning to implement generative AI, the highest rate globally and 96 percent are committed to broader AI/ML technologies. It found that manufacturers in the region are shifting from broad digital expansion to focused strategies, aligning digital investment to measurable outcomes in efficiency, cybersecurity, and sustainability. "Middle East manufacturers are not just experimenting with smart manufacturing technologies; they are applying them to address real operational challenges," said Ediz Eren, regional vice president, Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa, Rockwell Automation. "From cyber resilience to ESG performance and workforce engagement, the data shows a shift toward outcome-driven digitalisation." Manufacturers in the region are prioritising practical use cases for AI. Over the next 12 months, 68 percent plan to use AI for quality control, 61 percent for cybersecurity, and 46 percent for energy management, significantly above European benchmarks. Cybersecurity risks Ten percent of manufacturers cited GenAI as their top-returning technology, while 15 percent said the same of cybersecurity platforms. According to the report, 98 percent of companies have either invested in or plan to invest in cybersecurity platforms, and 44 percent are deploying countermeasures to mitigate rising threats, the highest rate globally. Thirty-six percent now view cyber risk as their top external concern, up from 27 percent last year. The region's ESG transformation is accelerating, with 70 percent of firms citing efficiency as the primary motivator, 33 percent above last year. Forty-six per cent now use ESG strategies to drive business outcomes, and 42 percent are applying AI/ML to monitor sustainability targets. Technology is also reshaping the workforce, with upskilling becoming a growing focus – 43 percent of regional respondents now prioritise it, up 14 percent year-on-year and significantly ahead of the European average, the report found. (Writing by SA Kader; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
National Post
3 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Ninety-Five Percent of Manufacturers Are Investing in AI to Navigate Uncertainty and Accelerate Smart Manufacturing
Article content Article content MILWAUKEE — Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced the results of the 10 th annual ' State of Smart Manufacturing Report.' The global study, fielded in March 2025, surveyed more than 1,500 manufacturers across 17 of the leading manufacturing countries. Article content As manufacturers continue to face uncertainty driven by economic shifts, the report highlights how companies are turning to smart manufacturing technologies to manage risks, improve performance, and support their workforce. It also examines adoption of emerging technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and cloud-based systems. Article content 'Today's technology advancements are unlocking new opportunities where the combined potential of people and technology will shape our collective future,' says Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO, Rockwell Automation. 'As this year's report shows, manufacturers around the world are using smart manufacturing to navigate disruption and create new opportunities for speed and agility. At Rockwell, we believe innovation and resilience go hand in hand. With the right technology and right people, we can simplify complexity and lead with confidence during times of dynamic change.' Key global findings include: Article content 81% of manufacturers say external and internal pressures are accelerating digital transformation, with cloud/SaaS, AI, cybersecurity, and quality management ranking as the top areas of smart manufacturing technology investments. 95% of manufacturers have invested in, or plan to invest in, AI/ML over the next five years. Organizations investing in generative and causal AI increased 12% year-over-year, signaling a maturing approach to advanced technologies beyond experimentation. Cybersecurity ranks as the second biggest external risk, with 49% of manufacturers planning to use AI for cybersecurity in 2025 – up from 40% in 2024. 48% of manufacturers plan to repurpose or hire additional workers due to smart manufacturing investments. Additionally, 41% are using AI and automation to help close the skills gap and address labor shortages. Quality control remains the top AI use case for the second year in a row, with 50% planning to apply AI/ML to support product quality in 2025. Article content Beyond these data points, the report reflects broader movement towards more efficient and adaptive operations. Manufacturers are using smart technologies to strengthen supply chains, accelerate sustainability initiatives and make faster, more informed decisions. There has also been a 5% rise in the importance of analytical and AI skills for leaders, showing that talent development and technical innovation must go hand in hand. Article content Still, many manufacturers face challenges when implementing AI. Nearly half of respondents say the ability to apply AI is now an extremely important skill – up from just 10% last year. Article content The full findings of the report can be found here. Article content Methodology Article content This report analyzed feedback from 1,560 respondents from 17 of the top manufacturing countries with roles from management up to the C-suite and was conducted in association with Rockwell Automation and Sapio Research. The survey sampled from a range of industries including Consumer Packaged Goods, Food & Beverage, Automotive, Semiconductor, Energy, Life Sciences, and more. With a balanced distribution of company sizes with revenues spanning $100 million to over $30 billion, it offers a wide breadth of manufacturing business perspectives. Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content
Trade Arabia
3 days ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
e& enterprise, Exeed Industries team up for Industry 4.0 shift
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) 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, a statement said. 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.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
E& enterprise and Exeed Industries team up to fast-track UAE's Industry 4.0 shift
Abu Dhabi – 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. Contact: e& Media Office Shilpa Villait: svillait@ Nancy Sudheer: nsudheer@ Amer Obaid: amerobaid@ Noha Serageldin: nserageldin@ Grace Eid: Eid: geid@ mediaoffice@ 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. To learn more about e& enterprise, please visit 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. To learn more about Exeed Industries, please visit
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Xinhua Silk Road: China (Chongqing)-UAE Economic and Trade Investment Promotion Conference Convened in Chongqing
CHONGQING, China, May 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The China (Chongqing)-UAE Economic and Trade Investment Promotion Conference, themed "Shared Vision, Shared Future," convened in Chongqing, bringing together over 400 delegates from government, industry, and academia. The event was co-hosted by the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce, Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, Chongqing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in China. Key Attendees: UAE delegation led by the Crown Prince of Ajman Representatives from UAE government agencies, investment institutions (100+ delegates) Chongqing municipal departments, district officials, and enterprises (nearly 300 delegates) Strategic Report Launch: In recent years, Chongqing and the UAE have significantly expanded cooperation across industry, trade, and technology. The conference spotlighted the release of the Chongqing-UAE Economic and Investment Cooperation Report, a comprehensive case study collection showcasing the outcomes of collaboration between the two sides, which highlights: Complementary Strength: High complementarity in industrial structures between the UAE and Chongqing Shared Benefits: High dividends in China's market prospects and high-tech growth Strategic Gateway: UAE as one of the top choices for Chongqing Smart Manufacturing's going-global Synergy Potential: Promising results in deeper "Chongqing Smart Manufacturing-UAE Capital" integration Investment Promotion Highlights: UAE Side: Presentations by Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Dubai Chambers Shanghai Office, Ajman Chamber of Commerce, and Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone Chongqing: Project showcases by Liangjiang New Area (advanced manufacturing), Yuzhong District (financial hub), and Fengjie County (eco-tourism) 12 Strategic MoUs have been signed to deepen cooperation. Among them was the Memorandum of Cooperation on Establishing Friendly Exchange Cities between Chongqing and the Emirate of Ajman, UAE. Further MoUs were signed between Chongqing and Ajman in a variety of sectors, including industry, commerce, logistics, education, and tourism. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
