Manufacturing

ROX has announced the delivery of its first batch of 100 UAE-manufactured vehicles bearing the “Made in the Emirates” mark as part of its UAE Signature Edition.

The United Arab Emirates is cementing its position as a hub for automotive production, pivoting to establish a diverse manufacturing ecosystem. At the forefront of this industrial transformation is the delivery of 100 locally manufactured vehicles, signalling a pivotal moment for the nation’s high-value industrial ambitions.

Produced by ROX, these inaugural vehicles prominently bear the "Made in the Emirates" mark. Forming the UAE Signature Edition, each luxury SUV was assembled through a precise, numbered production process tailored specifically for regional market demands.

Fostering an integrated industrial ecosystem

This milestone stems from strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and ROX. The initiative aligns with the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy and the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology (Operation 300bn).

His Excellency Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Undersecretary of MoIAT, highlighted the broader objective: “The UAE continues to develop an integrated industrial and investment ecosystem that attracts investment. We are focused on expanding the country’s advanced manufacturing base and accelerating the adoption of advanced technology and artificial intelligence, strengthening industry’s contribution to economic diversification and competitiveness, in line with the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology and the Make it in the Emirates initiative.”

The overarching goal is to fortify national capabilities. H.E. Al Nowais emphasised: “Together with our partners, we continue to strengthen industrial resilience, develop local supply chains and attract high-quality industrial investment. Our aim is to build a more diverse and resilient industrial base that harnesses modern technology and competes in local, regional and international markets. Built on best-practice production standards, the Made in the Emirates mark has earned credibility in global markets.”

Accelerating production at Khalifa Economic Zones

Situated in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) and built within six months, the ROX facility acts as a comprehensive operational base. Key features of the site include:

• A dedicated Manufacturing Centre streamlining local assembly.

• An AI Lab integrating modern technology into production.

• A Design Studio catering to specific regional preferences.

By co-locating these functions, the facility translates foreign investment into domestic capabilities. H.E. Al Nowais noted: “ROX’s operations in Abu Dhabi bring together government enablers, investment, advanced manufacturing, technology and industrial infrastructure. The delivery of 100 vehicles bearing the Made in the Emirates mark carries strategic value, creating an opportunity to attract further high-quality investment, develop national capabilities, localize knowledge and build partnerships that drive growth, competitiveness and industrial resilience in the UAE, particularly amid global supply chain challenges.”

Translating investment into automotive growth

Mohammad Ali Al Kamali, Chief Trade and Industry Officer at ADIO, stated: “ROX’s journey in Abu Dhabi demonstrates how investment can translate into tangible industrial capabilities and opportunities for global growth. The delivery of the first batch of 100 vehicles reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening its manufacturing operations and associated value chains in the emirate, contributing to the development of an automotive ecosystem that supports the localization of industrial activities and strengthens supply chains.”

He added: “As ROX enters the next phase of its growth, Abu Dhabi continues to offer manufacturers competitive advantages through advanced infrastructure, connectivity and partnerships that enable companies to establish and expand their operations and strengthen their ability to compete globally from a single base.”

For ROX, the immediate focus is scaling local operations. Jarvis, Founder and CEO of ROX, shared: “The delivery of our first UAE-manufactured vehicles is an important milestone in ROX’s long-term commitment to Abu Dhabi and the UAE. In a short period, we have established advanced manufacturing, AI and design capabilities that allow us to produce vehicles locally and serve customers across the region.” 

This first delivery establishes a robust baseline for sustained industrial growth. Jarvis concluded: “We will continue working with our partners to expand our manufacturing operations, develop local capabilities and strengthen the supply chains supporting production. We look forward to establishing the UAE as a base for vehicle manufacturing and contributing to the continued development of an advanced automotive industry ecosystem.”

Brady Corporation has introduced the new i7500 RFID label printer, a device designed to eliminate consumable waste and streamline on-premise RFID encoding.

The integration of smart technologies, such as digital passports and automated inventory systems, requires robust labelling infrastructure.

Addressing this industry-wide need for sustainable and highly reliable printing, Brady Corporation has introduced the new i7500 RFID label printer, a device designed to eliminate consumable waste and streamline on-premise RFID encoding.

Eliminating consumable waste in calibration

Competitive printer models frequently waste between 10 and 30 labels following each consumable change during the calibration phase. This not only drives up material costs but also generates unnecessary industrial waste. The newly launched BradyPrinter i7500 Industrial RFID Label Printer addresses this challenge by ensuring that the very first RFID label is printed and encoded correctly, resulting in strictly zero label waste during the calibration process.

This technology limits the production of void labels and prevents significant time loss in demanding production environments. By eliminating calibration waste, the system offers an environmentally conscious and highly practical solution, particularly for users who may not be RFID technology experts.

Patent-pending technology and automated setup

One of the most complex aspects of industrial labelling is managing different tag types and specifications. Most conventional RFID printers require users to manually input data to locate chips and set parameters. In contrast, the i7500 RFID printer features patent-pending print and encoding technologies that automatically locate the RFID chips within the loaded labels.

• Automatic Optimisation: The device autonomously selects the correct internal antenna and optimal power level required to encode the specific UHF RFID labels currently loaded into the system.

• Precision Recognition: The automated technology accurately recognises RFID chips even on extremely small labels, operating effectively on widths as narrow as 15 mm.

• Rapid Changeovers: The automated setup process for diverse label types—including large, small, off-metal, and on-metal UHF RFID labels (up to 2mm thick), can be completed in under three minutes.

This  material setup speed makes the printer 25 to 2 times faster than most competitive models on the market.  The device actively protects industrial operational throughput, operating at a print and encode speed of just three seconds per label. It is designed to keep production lines moving, significantly reduces unplanned downtime, limits support interventions and prevents component scrap and production bottlenecks.

High accuracy data and global standards

The i7500 RFID printer includes a built-in automated UHF RFID label encoding verification system, ensuring high accuracy across everything from small component tags to large pallet labels. Beyond standard encoding, the printer supports versatile legacy applications by simultaneously adding human-legible text alongside tiny machine-readable barcodes and QR-codes, available in crisp 300 and 600 dpi resolutions.

For seamless operational integration, data can be directly sourced from internal company systems and transmitted to the printer via multiple connectivity options, including:

• Ethernet

• USB

• Wi-Fi

• Bluetooth

Also, the device fully supports common global data standards, allowing users to print and encode item-level barcodes and GS1 standards for worldwide unique RFID EPC codes.

Next-level track and trace connectivity

This printer is a foundational element for next-generation facility management, bringing on-premise RFID printing to a wider range of industries. By giving any asset, item, or product a unique digital identity that can be read from a distance without a direct line of sight, organisations can completely overhaul their operational tracking.

When integrated into a broader workflow, the encoded labels can trigger Internet of Things (IoT) events and automations upon being scanned, whether individually or in specific volume batches. This unlocks the ability to enable home-in applications on tagged assets, drastically improve just-in-time tracking, and strengthen overall supply chain compliance. Products can also be directly linked to their digital passports using RFID technology.

Forming part of a complete industrial RFID solution that includes reliable labels, software, and RFID readers, the BradyPrinter i7500 RFID delivers quality traceability for any industry seeking to modernise their operations.

Parker Hannifin, a Fortune 250 global leader specialising in motion and control technologies, has announced the launch of its new Viking Xtreme ISO valve series.

Industrial automation and mobile electrification require components that can withstand increasingly demanding operational environments.

Across sectors such as railway transit, agriculture, and oil and gas, modern machinery relies on robust pneumatic control systems to ensure consistent, uninterrupted performance. Addressing these complex engineering challenges head-on, Parker Hannifin, a Fortune 250 global leader specialising in motion and control technologies, has announced the launch of its new Viking Xtreme ISO valve series. This compact, ISO-standard subbase valve platform is specifically engineered to handle the rigours of general, mobile-related, and harsh industrial applications.

To maximise installation flexibility and operational performance, engineers can deploy these valves in varied configurations to suit their specific infrastructure. Key installation and operational features include:

• The ability to install the valve on a single subbase or integrate it into a stackable manifold.

• Stackable manifold installations that effectively support pressure zoning within centralised applications.

• Internal or external pilot configurations that can be conveniently adjusted in the field to meet precise application requirements.

Advanced Core Technology for Extreme Conditions

At the core of this newly launched platform is Parker’s advanced over-moulded spool technology. This specific engineering choice supports a long service life, broad operating capabilities, and a reliable, high-performance output even under continuous strain. The bi-directional, over-moulded spool is designed to function seamlessly in extreme temperatures, operating efficiently from -40°C to +70°C (-40°F to +158°F). In addition to its impressive temperature resilience, the system accommodates an operating pressure range that spans from a vacuum up to 10 bar. For pneumatic remote pilot variants, this pressure threshold extends even further to 16 bar. The platform also boasts exceptional flow performance, delivering flow rates ranging from 540 Nl/min (0.55 Cv) up to a substantial 5900 Nl/min (6.01 Cv).

Mobile-related applications and harsh environmental conditions present unique threats to machinery, notably through constant vibration, sudden impacts, and corrosive external elements. To combat these recurring issues, the Viking Xtreme ISO valve series offers various solenoid voltages paired with either standard or mobile-rated coils, alongside remote pilot valve options. The mobile versions of this valve have successfully passed rigorous shock and vibration testing, comprehensively meeting the stringent IEC 6173:1999, category 1, class B standards.

To further protect against corrosion in highly challenging and exposed settings, the valves incorporate durable materials throughout their entire construction. Essential durability features include:

• The strategic utilisation of stainless steel for end fasteners, internal springs, and solenoid armatures.

• An impressive salt spray qualification that exceeds 1000 hours of continuous testing.

• A robust construction that fully supports operation in demanding salt spray applications.

Strategic Consolidation for Machinery Design

These modern advancements allow plant managers and machinery designers to rethink their pneumatic infrastructure entirely. The new series is explicitly designed to help operators consolidate their existing ISO non-plug-in valve inventories. Depending on the specific application, the versatile platform may enable a one-size reduction. This potential downsizing can significantly help to lower overall operational costs, reduce footprint dimensions, and decrease equipment weight, all without sacrificing the required system performance.

Speaking on the strategic launch of this robust new platform, Patrick Berdal, European Product Manager for Controls within the Electric Motion & Pneumatic Division at Parker Hannifin, highlighted the industry's constantly evolving needs.

“Customers are looking for compact, reliable pneumatic valve solutions that help simplify machine design while performing in demanding operating conditions,” said Berdal. “The Viking Xtreme ISO valve series reflects Parker’s commitment to engineering solutions that improve productivity, uptime, and operational efficiency for customers across key industrial and mobile markets.”.

As a fundamental part of the broader Motion Systems Group, Parker's Electric Motion and Pneumatic Division continues to design and manufacture components that actively improve system safety, efficiency, and performance across both heavy industrial applications and modern mobile electrification.

Teledyne FLIR has introduced the first thermal imaging cameras to achieve the ANSI/CAN/UL 2684 listing, providing an independently evaluated benchmark for thermal image fire detection to support resilient industrial operations.

Industrial fire safety across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is shifting from reactive emergency response to proactive risk management.

Traditional fire detection technologies have long relied on identifying products of combustion, like smoke or flame, meaning a fire has already begun before an alarm triggers. In critical infrastructure, an abnormal temperature rise often provides the earliest indication of an emerging hazard. Addressing this, Teledyne FLIR has introduced the first thermal imaging cameras to achieve the ANSI/CAN/UL 2684 listing, providing an independently evaluated benchmark for thermal image fire detection to support resilient industrial operations.

Elevating Standards for Gulf Infrastructure

The recent UL 2684 listing of Teledyne FLIR's A40 and A70 (Axx-Series) models marks a watershed moment for fire engineers and asset owners. This aligns with the 2025 edition of NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. Under Section 17.12, NFPA 72 includes a dedicated category requiring thermal image fire detection systems to be explicitly listed.

For the GCC, where established fire protection frameworks lean heavily on NFPA codes and UL-listed equipment, this establishes a clearer pathway for specifying early detection solutions. While this benchmark does not replace local Civil Defence approvals, it offers stakeholders objective, laboratory-tested equipment rather than relying solely on manufacturer claims. The standard sets strict requirements for environmental performance, durability, and fire testing.

Key Applications in Critical Assets

The relevance to Middle Eastern markets is driven by the rapid expansion of high-value infrastructure. Thermal imaging provides early warnings where equipment degradation can smoulder long before ignition. Crucial applications include:

• Data Centres: Identifying anomalies like a busbar joint heating whilst under load.
• Solar Installations: Detecting faults in rooftop arrays, specifically within DC connectors or inverters where conventional detectors are absent.
• Heavy Industry: Safeguarding continuous-process manufacturing and refining operations.
• Energy Storage: Monitoring battery energy storage systems and electrical utilities.

The Mechanics of Proactive Visualisation

Unlike standard cameras used merely for general visualisation, a calibrated thermal image fire detector continuously measures absolute temperatures across every pixel. Operators can establish measurement regions to monitor precise temperature differentials, absolute thresholds, and rates of temperature increase.

This capability is vital because industrial equipment naturally fluctuates in temperature. A transformer running warm during standard operations is not a fire condition; however, if that component begins climbing in temperature whilst its operational load is falling, it provides a crucial early warning.

By identifying thermal anomalies before smoke is generated, organisations can transition from crisis management to planned maintenance. Teams can isolate a battery module or tighten a loose connection before operations are disrupted. Axx-Series cameras enhance this by combining thermal detection with visible imaging, allowing operators to verify alarms swiftly. Analytics are processed on the camera, minimising reliance on external servers and enabling devices to initiate events directly through compatible control systems.