GE Energy Manufacturing Technology Centre in Dammam completes one year

The Dammam-based GE Energy Manufacturing Technology Centre (GEMTC), a joint venture with Ali A Tamimi Co, recently completed its first year of operations.

The largest GE Energy facility of its kind today, the Centre represents a SR1 billion ($250 million) investment, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to the Kingdom. The 10,000-square meter facility consists of three key main components: a manufacturing facility of high technology equipment for the power, water and oil and gas industries ($150 million); a service and repair centre for advanced turbine equipment ($80 million); and a training centre that offers the latest technology and managerial courses for power industry professionals throughout the region ($20 million).

In its first year, the centre serviced 450 gas turbines.

The centre provides extended service to more than 50 key customers based in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East, Africa and Europe helping local and global customers achieve operational efficiencies with advanced and localised technology and services.

More than 60% Saudisation has been achieved to date at the technology centre.

To complement the human development goal outlined in Saudi Vision 2020, GEMTC is employing about 400 technologists and training another 100 under the Saudi GE Joint Technical Programme (JTP), a joint programme between GE and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC). Programme participants are being trained in key areas of maintenance and repair of gas turbines, electrical motors and generators.

Investing in Saudi Arabia.

GEMTC was inaugurated last year by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia in the presence of over 400 high level government officials and dignitaries, key GE executives including Vice Chairman John Krenicki and GE’s joint venture partner Tariq Al Tamimi of Ali A. Tamimi Co.

The first graduating class of students from the Joint Technical Programme (JTP).

Under a new strategic partnership agreement with TVTC, the Centre will train annually 150 select Saudi technical graduates.