Manufacturing

Fire-resistant glazing specialist Pyroguard has strengthened its regional scope through a new manufacturing partnership with South Glass, aimed at meeting rising demand for fire safety solutions across India and the Middle East.

The collaboration amounts to a major step in Pyroguard’s expansion strategy, establishing a dedicated production base in Hyderabad.

The company said that this move could improve supply chain efficiency, reduce delivery times, and enhance technical support for clients operating in fast-growing construction markets.

Industry demand for fire-rated glazing has increased in recent years, driven by rapid urban development and stricter building safety regulations. Pyroguard said its local manufacturing capability will allow it to respond more effectively to these requirements while continuing to comply with Indian standards and its own international performance benchmarks.

The new facility will produce a range of fire-resistant glass products for use in doors, partitions, façades and curtain walling systems. By manufacturing locally, the company works more closely with architects, developers and contractors to supply customised solutions suited to regional specifications and project needs.

According to the company, the expansion also supports improved safety outcomes by assuring consistent access to certified fire protection materials. Fire-rated glazing plays a key role in containing flames and smoke, helping to protect building occupants and support evacuation in emergencies.

Pyroguard has supplied the Indian market for more than a decade from its European operations, aiding projects such as Vivanta by Taj Dwarka and commercial developments in Noida and Hyderabad. The new plant is expected to build on this track record by providing locally produced materials that meet the same quality and accreditation standards as its UK and French facilities.

Among the products to be manufactured are Pyroguard Protect and Pyroguard Firesafe E120, both designed to deliver high levels of fire resistance. The company confirmed that its 13 mm glazing solutions have undergone extensive testing to meet Indian standards, achieving classifications that demonstrate their ability to limit heat transfer and maintain soundness during fire incidents.

Steve Goodburn, Business Development Director at Pyroguard, said, “India’s rapidly growing infrastructure and commercial real estate sectors, combined with tighter fire safety regulations, are driving strong demand for high-quality fire-rated glazing. Our local manufacturing presence enables closer collaboration with customers, reduced lead-times and improved support for architects working to local specifications across India and the Middle East.

“Pyroguard has a well-established sales presence in India and a dedicated team based here. Local manufacturing strengthens our commitment to the market and ensures architects, developers and contractors benefit from our quality, speed and service.”

 Zebra Technologies Corporation has identified worker safety and real-time operational visibility as central to the evolution of manufacturing, as companies invest heavily in digital tools to strengthen frontline performance.

Findings from the company’s latest industry study, conducted in partnership with Oxford Economics, show manufacturers are allocating an average of 69% of their IT budgets to technologies that connect workers, improve asset visibility and automate workflows. These investments are increasingly being directed towards solutions that enhance safety while maintaining productivity in complex industrial environments.

A key trend highlighted in the report is the growing use of on-demand digital training tools to address workforce challenges. Manufacturers are deploying interactive kiosks, smart devices and video-based learning platforms to provide instant access to safety procedures, operational guidance and troubleshooting support. This approach allows workers to respond more effectively to risks on the shop floor, while accelerating onboarding and reducing human error.

Industry experts note that improving access to safety-critical information can significantly reduce workplace incidents, particularly in high-risk sectors. By embedding training into daily operations, companies are also aiming to close skills gaps and improve employee confidence, which can contribute to safer working conditions.

Zebra also pointed to the increasing adoption of edge computing and machine vision technologies to enhance quality control and prevent defects before they escalate into safety issues. These systems use artificial intelligence to analyse production processes in real time, identifying anomalies such as equipment faults or product inconsistencies that could pose risks if left unaddressed.

By processing data at the source, manufacturers can take immediate corrective action, limiting the likelihood of defective or unsafe products progressing along the production line. This shift from reactive to proactive quality management is helping organisations reduce waste, improve compliance and strengthen overall operational safety.

Stephan Pottel, manufacturing strategy director for EMEA at Zebra Technologies, said intelligent automation is playing a crucial role in supporting safer, more efficient factories. He noted that advanced technologies are enabling organisations to better manage labour shortages while equipping workers with the tools needed to operate in increasingly automated environments.

In parallel, traceability technologies such as RFID and machine vision are being adopted to improve transparency across supply chains. These systems allow manufacturers to track materials and components throughout production, ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards, particularly in industries such as aerospace, electronics and pharmaceuticals.

As global supply chains evolve, the integration of digital solutions is expected to remain a priority, with safety, compliance and sustainability emerging as key drivers of investment.

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has been named the Advanced Manufacturing, AI and Industry 4.0 sector partner for Make it in the Emirates 2026, set to take place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from 4–7 May.

Organised by ADNEC Group, a Modon company, and hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), alongside the Ministry of Culture, Abu Dhabi Investment Office and ADNOC, the event serves as a key platform to accelerate the UAE’s industrial growth.

It connects manufacturers, start-ups, investors and policymakers, supporting innovation and economic diversification.

EGA’s participation underscores its position as the UAE’s largest industrial company outside the oil and gas sector and highlights its contribution to advancing sustainable manufacturing.

Since its establishment in 1979, the company has evolved into a global aluminium producer with annual output exceeding 2.75 million tonnes, spanning the full value chain from alumina refining to recycling.

The company’s involvement reflects a strong focus on localisation and supply chain resilience. In 2025, EGA spent more than AED 9bn on local procurement, accounting for 42% of its total expenditure, as part of efforts to strengthen domestic industry and reduce reliance on imports.

Make it in the Emirates has also supported strategic partnerships within the metals sector. At the 2025 edition, EGA signed an agreement with China-based Sunstone to develop an anode manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi, with construction scheduled to begin in 2026.

The partnership for the 2026 event is expected to further reinforce collaboration, innovation and investment across the UAE’s industrial landscape.

Manufacturing companies are increasingly investing in artificial intelligence to modernise IT operations, but many remain unprepared to deploy the technology at scale, according to a global survey by Riverbed.

The study, titled The Future of IT Operations in the AI Era, found that 87% of manufacturing leaders and technical specialists say their investments in AIOps – artificial intelligence for IT operations – have delivered returns that meet or exceed expectations. However, only 37% believe their organisations are fully ready to operationalise AI across the enterprise.

The findings highlight strong industry interest in using AI to streamline operations, reduce costs and manage complex global supply chains. Yet significant barriers remain. According to the survey, 62% of AI initiatives in manufacturing are still in pilot or development stages, suggesting many companies are still experimenting rather than deploying large-scale AI systems.

Data quality emerged as one of the most significant challenges. Around 90% of respondents agreed that improving the quality of organisational data is essential for AI success. However, nearly half of those surveyed reported concerns about the accuracy and completeness of their data.

In fact, 47% said they lack confidence in whether their current data can support effective AI outcomes, while only 34% rated their data as excellent in terms of relevance and usability.

Richard Tworek, chief technology officer at Riverbed, said the results illustrate both strong progress and lingering challenges within the sector.

He noted that while manufacturers are achieving positive returns from AIOps investments, many organisations are still grappling with gaps in preparedness and data quality that could slow the wider adoption of AI technologies.

Another key trend identified in the research is the growing focus on consolidating IT tools. On average, manufacturing companies currently use around 13 observability platforms sourced from nine different vendors. As a result, 95% of organisations surveyed are now working to reduce the number of tools they use in order to lower costs, improve integration and streamline IT operations.

At the same time, companies continue to evaluate new solutions. The survey found that 91% of manufacturers are considering adopting new tools to support consolidation efforts and improve interoperability across systems.

The report also highlighted the rising importance of unified communications platforms in modern manufacturing workplaces. Around 42% of employees use these tools regularly, while 66% of respondents said they are essential to day-to-day operations.

Despite this growing reliance, satisfaction remains mixed. Only 45% of respondents said they were satisfied with the performance of their communication tools, while 42% reported experiencing issues such as dropped calls, limited visibility and integration challenges.

Looking ahead, many manufacturers are prioritising stronger data infrastructure to support AI strategies. Nearly three quarters of respondents plan to establish dedicated AI data repository strategies by 2028, while network performance, data movement costs and interoperability were identified as critical factors in scaling AI applications.

The research also found widespread adoption of OpenTelemetry, with 44% of manufacturers already fully implementing the technology and a further 42% in the process of adopting it.

As manufacturers continue their digital transformation efforts, the study suggests that improving data quality, infrastructure and integration will be key to unlocking the full potential of AI-driven IT operations.