Logistics

This joint venture aims to enhance the Kingdom’s FM industry with innovative services. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Trascent, a global provider of facilities management advisory services, has partnered with Gulaid Holding, a key investor in Saudi Arabia's facilities management sector, to launch Trascent Arabia.

This joint venture aims to enhance the Kingdom’s FM industry with innovative services aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, transforming FM service delivery across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.

Trascent, known for its expertise in structuring best-in-class FM services, brings its global experience, while Gulaid Holding adds 15 years of local market knowledge. Together, Trascent Arabia will improve FM service quality and efficiency by introducing best practices in contract management and service delivery.

Rakesh Kishan, CEO of Trascent Arabia and managing principal of Trascent, said, “Trascent Arabia will bring market-leading expertise in advanced contracting models for facilities management at a time where clients are seeking better and more innovative solutions in FM. By combining Gulaid’s deep local knowledge with Trascent’s market leading capabilities, we are positioned to deliver world-class services that support the increasing demands of facilities management in Saudi Arabia. As the Kingdom invests heavily in new cities, infrastructure, entertainment, and other investments, our services will enable clients to achieve FM excellence for residents, tourists, and businesses alike.”

Aiding major projects 

A report by Fortune Business Insights forecasts Saudi Arabia’s FM sector to reach US$56bn by 2032, with a growth rate of 10.3% from 2023. As the Kingdom undergoes its Vision 2030 transformation, the FM industry will need to evolve towards more advanced, customer-focused solutions. Trascent Arabia aims to help clients transition by supporting key national projects such as NEOM, Qiddiya, and the Red Sea Project.

Naser Gulaid, executive chairman of Gulaid Holding, stated, "For the past 15 years, Gulaid Holding has been a leading investor in Saudi Arabia’s FM industry. With Vision 2030 raising the bar for excellence, Trascent Arabia will help to bridge the gap between current market capabilities and future demands. Our services will not only enhance operational efficiencies but also introduce technology-driven FM strategies that focus on customer experience, sustainability, and efficiency, perfectly aligning with the Kingdom’s vision for growth. Our clients want innovative, experience-led services, and that’s exactly what Trascent Arabia is bringing to the table.”

Trascent Arabia will focus on three core service areas: management consulting, advising clients on structuring FM contracts and best practices; contract execution and management, ensuring compliance across FM contracts; and program management, overseeing key client initiatives such as energy efficiency and sustainability projects.

The MoU signing ceremony. (Image source: Tabadul)

Saudi Electronic Info Exchange Company (Tabadul), a leading provider of digital business exchange solutions, has signed an MoU with Energy City Logistics Company, a subsidiary of King Salman Energy Park, specialising in logistics, ports, and customs zones operations.

The agreement, signed at the Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress in Dammam, aims to strengthen collaboration in logistics and supply chain sectors.

Hisham Alnasser, CEO of Tabadul, and Dave Lee, CEO of Energy City Logistics Services Company, formalised the partnership, which seeks to enhance cooperation, exchange knowledge, and adopt best global practices. 

Alnasser highlighted the significance of the congress, where Tabadul participated as a platinum sponsor. He noted the event’s role as a hub for regional and international dialogue, bringing together leaders in logistics, transport, and trade to discuss future challenges and opportunities. He emphasised the importance of reinforcing partnerships to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and strengthen the Kingdom’s global position in the logistics sector.

“We are pleased to sign this MoU with Energy City Logistics Services Company, establishing a strong foundation to enhance our mutual cooperation. This strategic partnership is key to achieving the ambitious goals of both parties, allowing us to leverage our expertise in global trade facilitation by integrating trade systems and enhancing logistics and business services. It represents a key milestone in our efforts to drive digital transformation in the region’s and global trade exchange systems,” Alnasser stated.

Through the agreement, Tabadul will support the development of digital and operational initiatives for Energy City Logistics by collaborating with public and private sectors to build an integrated industrial community. The partnership will also focus on attracting investment, localising resources, and increasing Saudi Arabia’s export volume, all in line with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.

Tabadul’s mission is to develop secure technological solutions to streamline international trade, enhance transparency, and improve operational efficiency. By offering electronic solutions, Tabadul aims to support the business community and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s role as a model for logistical excellence.

The MoU with Energy City Logistics reflects Tabadul’s commitment to expanding partnerships that facilitate international trade and enhance data connectivity across the logistics sector. The collaboration is expected to improve performance, workflow, and operational efficiency, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the global logistics industry.

This commercial partnership with ZF will bolster IVECO BUS’s broader electrification strategy. (Image source: IVECO)

IVECO BUS, the urban, intercity, and tourist bus brand of Iveco Group, and ZF, a global technology leader supplying advanced mobility products and systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and industrial technology, have taken the international stage at IAA Transportation in Hannover, Germany, to advance their collaboration on innovative e-mobility solutions aimed at decarbonising passenger transport.

Sustainability

Both IVECO BUS and ZF are committed to transforming the transport sector and driving the transition to a more sustainable future. They combine strong technological expertise in alternative energy propulsion solutions, such as electrification. This commercial partnership with ZF will bolster IVECO BUS’s broader electrification strategy and support the development of a new, zero-emission architecture that will equip the next generation of vehicles, complementing their existing technological capabilities.

“This new partnership demonstrates our commitment to collaborating with innovative players who are driven to push the boundaries of technological innovation in support of the energy transition," commented Domenico Nucera, president of the Bus Business Unit, Iveco Group. "Electrification is an essential enabler for achieving the decarbonisation objectives of the bus industry. By enhancing our collaboration with ZF, a global technology leader in advanced mobility products and systems, we will accelerate the development of the next generation of our e-mobility solutions.”

“This next step in our relationship with IVECO BUS focusing on our innovative e-mobility solutions underlines how our strategic investments in decarbonisation technologies are paying off," said Prof. Dr. Peter Laier, member of the ZF Board of Management and responsible for the Commercial Vehicle Solutions division. "We are honoured by the trust that IVECO BUS has placed in us as a partner for the strategic development of e-mobility solutions. We look forward to further deepening our relationship as we work together to deliver more sustainable passenger transport solutions.”

His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, the President of GACA, at the first-ever air taxi trial in Mecca - Saudi Arabia, in June 2024. (Image source: GACA)

During his keynote address at the inaugural Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Symposium hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), urged global cooperation to usher in a new era of aviation. He called on nations to unite in supporting the accelerated and safe deployment of AAM, aligning with the symposium’s Call to Action.

Saudi Arabia was chosen to deliver the opening keynote to aviation leaders from over 75 countries at the event in Montreal, ICAO's headquarters. As Chair of the Arab Civil Aviation Organisation (ACAO), Al-Duailej emphasised the need for regulators to work together to seamlessly integrate AAM into the global aviation system.

“This gathering is not just another milestone; it is a beacon lighting the path toward a new era in aviation. Saudi Arabia is dedicated to building a future where Advanced Air Mobility is a cornerstone of global connectivity and economic growth. Let us rise to the challenge, let us redefine the future of aviation, and let us do it together. Only through such cooperation can we fully unlock the potential of this sector.”

He also highlighted the immense global opportunity that AAM presents and its crucial role in promoting a sustainable future.

Saudi Arabia is quickly becoming a leader in AAM development, having released an AAM roadmap earlier this year and conducted air taxi trials in NEOM and Makkah during the Hajj pilgrimage.

At the symposium, ICAO recognised Saudi Arabia’s potential in AAM by awarding KAUST students the top prize in the ICAO Global AAM Academic Paper Competition. This recognition reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to cutting-edge research and complements its investments in eVTOL aircraft, aligning with its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.

Additionally, GACA held bilateral meetings with various aviation authorities and organisations, including the ICAO President, KAUST, and Embry-Riddle’s President P. Barry Butler, to strengthen international partnerships.

On the sidelines of the event, which ran from 8-12 September, a high-level Saudi delegation visited BETA Technologies’ facility in Vermont, USA, where they explored the latest advancements in AAM manufacturing and exchanged expertise in sustainable aviation.