Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia -- Cooper Industries has opened a new manufacturing facility located in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The new plant is Cooper’s first in the Gulf Countries Continuum (GCC) and will function as a 100% U.S.-owned entity operating within Saudi Arabia, which represents one of the first of its kind in this region.
The new facility will significantly reduce Cooper’s delivery lead times for product orders and specification configurations in the GCC. Located less than 20 kilometers from Saudi Aramco headquarters in Dhahran, the Cooper facility will offer an extensive line of electrical products, components and engineering services for the region’s growing oil and gas market. The new 50,000-square foot facility has been delegated as an Aramco-approved facility for Cooper B-Line produced products, which involved passing the Saudi oil company’s strenuous quality management assessments and strict Saudisation provisions.
“The new facility in Dammam is a clear illustration of Cooper’s steadfast commitment to this important region,” said Cooper CEO Kirk Hachigian. “Not only will it bring first-rate employment, training and technology opportunities to a region that continues to grow and prosper, but it will consistently deliver high-quality, world-class manufacturing products to customers in Saudi Arabia and the entire Gulf Region.”
The facility is beginning its operations with the production of Cooper B-Line and Cooper Crouse-Hinds products for distribution to local markets.
Cooper B-Line will offer the region a broad line of cable tray products, including aluminum, steel and fiberglass cable ladder, as well as its cable tray and Flextray wire basket products. Cooper B-Line will also provide its best-in-class specification engineering services at the facility, which will provide pre- and post-sale engineering and technical support to customers throughout the region. Cooper B-Line’s presence in this area represents a continuation of the company’s investment in the global oil and gas industry, adding the GCC to its global coverage area that already includes offices in Korea, London, Calgary and Houston.
“Cooper B-Line prides itself on service, providing added value and engineering support every step of the way, from product specification to installation,” said Kevin Kissling, President of Cooper B-Line. “We were seeing opportunities arise in this critical region that required experts on the ground, servicing customers and projects in-person, rather than from across an ocean. With our presence in Dammam, our capabilities to serve and support customers throughout the world are greatly increased.”
Cooper Crouse-Hinds will provide a comprehensive line of NEC lighting products and switchgear panels for the region’s oil and gas industry. The company’s initial selection of products is expected to grow to include instrumentation products and IEC-approved switchgear assemblies, as well as additional leading edge technology product lines to serve the oil and gas industry throughout the region.
“The location of this facility will result in shorter product lead times that meet customer requirements, improved customer service and increased continuity in our relationships throughout the region,” said Curt Andersson, President of Cooper Crouse-Hinds. “With many projects requiring quick turnaround and attentive, on-location customer support, Cooper Industries’ local presence in Dammam is critical to our future business efforts in the area.”
The initial Cooper product lines were chosen to support target end markets in a region that relies heavily on the oil and gas industry. However, Cooper plans to broaden its product offering to support additional markets throughout the GCC in the coming years.
On the Web:www.cooperbline.com; www.crouse-hinds.com; www.cooperindustries.com