MAKEEN and DESMI Join Forces to Advance Saudi Arabia’s Maritime Capabilities
Saudi Engines Manufacturing Company (MAKEEN) and DESMI have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding during the Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress 2024 held in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, on September 18–19, 2024, marking a significant step toward enhancing local manufacturing capabilities and distribution networks in Saudi Arabia.
The primary focus of this strategic partnership is to collaborate on the distribution, localization, and after-sales services of DESMI’s pumps and pumping solutions, environmental solutions, and other various products and solutions throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This collaboration is in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes economic diversification and localization of industries.
The key benefits of this partnership include technology transfer by facilitating the exchange of advanced manufacturing techniques and know-how; market expansion by increasing DESMI’s presence in the Saudi market while strengthening MAKEEN’s product portfolio; cost reduction by optimizing production and logistics costs through local manufacturing; building a sustainable national workforce, which is crucial for the long-term economic and social prosperity of the Kingdom; and improved service delivery by ensuring faster response times and better after-sales support for customers in Saudi Arabia.
Bader Abdullah Al-Zoabi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of MAKEEN, expressed his excitement about the potential partnership, stating, “This collaboration with DESMI represents a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing Saudi Arabia’s industrial capabilities. By combining DESMI’s world-class pumping solutions with our local expertise, we will be able to deliver exceptional value to our customers while contributing to the Kingdom’s economic growth and technological advancement.”
“This partnership with MAKEEN marks an important step for us as we look to bring our products closer to our customers in Saudi Arabia,” says Ricky Frampton, President of DESMI’s IMEA region. “By localizing our products and services here, we’re not just expanding our footprint—we're ensuring that we’re in the best position to support our clients’ needs on the ground. It’s about being there for them when they need us most and strengthening those relationships as the market continues to grow.”