Saudi automation future boosted by Rockwell-Alfanar collaboration

Rockwell Automation has announced a strategic partnership with alfanar, a prominent Saudi Arabian energy and infrastructure solutions provider, to create a dedicated manufacturing zone within alfanar’s facility in Riyadh’s Industrial City

The initiative represents a key step in advancing industrial innovation and supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The newly established manufacturing zone will focus on assembling advanced automation panels utilising Rockwell Automation’s latest technologies, including a broad range of intelligent devices, software, and control and process automation solutions. These panels will be deployed in major infrastructure and utility projects, initially prioritising the Saudi Water Authority (SWA).

Ahmad Haydar, Rockwell Automation’s country leader for Saudi Arabia, said, “This collaboration between alfanar, Rockwell Automation and the Saudi Water Authority represents a pivotal step in advancing Saudi Arabia’s localisation agenda. We are enabling the local assembly of advanced automation technologies and reinforcing SWA’s commitment to building resilient, high-performance infrastructure through Saudi talent and innovation. This initiative directly supports our priority to localise critical industrial capabilities, ensuring that the Kingdom’s water sector is empowered with solutions that are made in Saudi Arabia for Saudi Arabia.”

The agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony at Automation Fair, Rockwell Automation’s global event recently held in Chicago.

Eng. Sharekh Ibrahim AlSharekh, vice-president for technical affairs and projects at the Saudi Water Authority, added, “Spearheaded by the Saudi Water Authority (SWA), this initiative constitutes a pivotal milestone in advancing the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly with respect to developing and deepening local content in the water sector. By nurturing national capabilities and maximising in-Kingdom value creation, the initiative directly supports the Kingdom’s strategic objectives of sustainable economic diversification and reduced dependence on external sources.

“Through this programme, SWA is reinforcing strategic international and domestic partnerships, cultivating a more attractive and competitive investment environment and driving the standardisation of technical and engineering requirements for operational assets. Together, these efforts enhance the security, reliability and long-term resilience of the Kingdom’s water infrastructure, positioning the water sector as a fundamental pillar of national development and a model for Vision 2030–aligned transformation.”

By combining alfanar’s expertise in local manufacturing with Rockwell Automation’s advanced solutions, the partnership aims to deliver high-performance, digitally enabled systems customised for industrial operators across the Kingdom. The manufacturing zone will also include Rockwell Automation demonstration walls, highlighting the full spectrum of its automation and control technologies. This initiative aligns with alfanar’s strategic vision, which considers automation a core enabler of its solutions portfolio.

Pascal Hoerter, president of alfanar group, remarked, “Our partnership with Rockwell Automation marks a transformative moment for alfanar and for Saudi Arabia’s industrial future. By combining Rockwell’s global leadership in automation with our deep-rooted expertise in local manufacturing, we are creating a powerful platform for innovation, knowledge transfer, and sustainable growth.”