The Brady warehouse in Dammam. (Image source: Brady Corporation)

Brady Corporation has opened a new production facility in Dammam, Saudi Arabia to manufacture its quality identification and safety solutions

The new facility will produce high performance pipe markers, signs and identification solutions for Middle East construction contractors, oil, petrochemical, food and beverage companies. These are designed for reliability in challenging environmental conditions and can withstand exposure to oil, grease, chemicals, high heat, humidity or UV-radiation.

Brady’s new Dammam facility also includes a large warehouse to provide next day deliveries anywhere in the Middle East. Orders that need additional production, including larger volumes and customised pipe markers, signs and labels, can be produced and delivered within 48 hours.

The new facility will enable Brady to reduce shipping costs, optimise labour expenses and reduce delivery times.

“Thanks to our new local production capability and storage capacity, Brady will be able to respond quickly to emerging facility identification challenges anywhere in the Middle East,” said Christophe Nelissen, Middle-East & Africa senior regional manager at Brady Corporation.

“Leveraging Brady’s worldwide identification technology and know-how, production in Dammam is now ready to start manufacturing at worldwide quality levels, using state-of-the-art print engines.”

It is also envisaged that the new facility will generate additional economy and labour in neighbouring communities as it strengthens and increases its service levels to Middle East companies.

The campaign targets a wide range of audiences. (Image source: DoE)

The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has rolled out the second phase of its public awareness campaign to promote the safe and responsible use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems across the emirate.

Timed to coincide with the start of Ramadan, the initiative, titled Your Safety is Our Priority, emphasises the importance of following safety standards and regulations to protect lives and property.

With cooking activities surging in homes, restaurants, and kitchens during Ramadan, the campaign seeks to remind residents and businesses of the critical need for safe LPG practices.

Protecting a wide range of sectors

It also aims to foster a culture of shared responsibility by engaging government and private sector stakeholders to deliver impactful safety messages and ensure a secure environment in Abu Dhabi.

The campaign targets a wide range of audiences, including domestic workers, labourers, employers, and companies in the food and hospitality sectors. It also focuses on recruitment agencies, urging them to provide adequate training for workers handling LPG systems.

H.E. Dr. Saif Saeed Al Qubaisi, acting director general of regulatory affairs at the DoE, highlighted the department’s commitment to building a sustainable and efficient energy sector while ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all residents.

Al Qubaisi further stated, "We firmly believe that the safety of the community is paramount in all aspects of LPG handling. With this campaign, our goal is to ensure that all organisations and individuals adhere to safety protocols and implement the required standards and conditions. This necessitates ongoing collaboration with all relevant parties to prevent accidents or potential hazards. Our collective commitment to upholding these standards helps build a more secure society and promotes the long-term sustainability of the sector as a whole."

Eng. Ahmed Alsayed Mohamed Alsheebani, the DoE’s acting regulatory affairs petroleum product sector executive director, stated, "The LPG Safety Campaign is a significant step in promoting safety practices within the community, particularly given the heightened gas usage during the holy month of Ramadan. We place considerable emphasis on delivering comprehensive awareness workshops and training programmes for all the campaign's target audiences, as we understand that ongoing education and training are key to mitigating risks associated with gas utilisation."

Alsheebani also pointed out that, "The success of this campaign relies not only on the awareness programmes we provide, but also on the unified efforts of the whole community. Accordingly, we urge restaurants and employment agencies to offer suitable training to workers; in doing so, we can effect a positive change in individual behavior and promote overall public safety."

GE Vernova recently held the 'New Era of Energy' forum at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center, where CEO Scott Strazik said his company is "proud to continue our near century of contributions to the Kingdom’s power sector, and today’s announcements underscore our commitment to investing and expanding our work in this important region.”

During the event, GE Vernova signed an MoU with the Saudi Electricity Company, committing to help in Saudi Arabia's digitalisation, modernisation and acceleration of its energy transition goals. The partnership will see the deployment of GE Vernova's GridOS software and will aim to develop a Regional Center of Competency & Excellence in the Saudi capital.

GE Vernova also committed to significant spending on its GE Saudi Advance Turbines facility in Dammam, aligning with its MoU with National Grid. The facility will produce high-voltage gas-insulated switchgears.

Production will also be expanded at its existing GE Manufacturing Technology Center in Dammam.

Scott continued, "With a clear roadmap for Vision 2030 and beyond, Saudi Arabia is well placed to lead a new era of energy, and GE Vernova is honored to play a significant role in these efforts."

Mohamed Amer, regional director of operations, ICC MENA. (Image source: ICC)

As the GCC construction market continues to expand, driven by ambitious sustainability goals and innovative technologies, the International Code Council (ICC), a leading global source provider of building safety solutions, highlights several key trends that are shaping the future of building safety and sustainable construction

The GCC construction market is projected to grow from US$177.77bn in 2025 to US$226.88bn by 2030, reflecting a CAGR of over 5% during the forecast period, according to Mordor Intelligence. In 2025, the region is poised to embrace transformative shifts, including the rise of net-zero buildings, sustainable building materials, and the integration of advanced technologies like 3D printing and offsite construction. These emerging trends as critical to ensuring the region’s construction sector remains at the forefront of global sustainability and safety standards, according to the ICC, which emphasises the importance of a holistic, government-driven approach to leveraging opportunities for energy efficiency and sustainability.

Sustainability and green construction

As change of climate becomes an increasingly critical global issue, the GCC region is shifting toward energy-efficient, net-zero buildings. With ambitious emissions reduction targets set by governments, including Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 initiative, the demand for sustainable buildings is expected to grow exponentially.

The region is experiencing a surge in demand for innovative, eco-friendly building materials such as low-carbon concrete, recycled steel, and sustainably sourced materials. These materials are becoming central to modern construction practices, contributing to the overall reduction in environmental impact.

Additive manufacturing technologies, particularly 3D printing, are transforming the construction industry. By enabling rapid prototyping, customised designs, and cost-effective solutions, 3D printing is playing a key role in reducing material waste and improving energy efficiency, thereby reinforcing sustainable construction practices across the region.

Offsite construction methods, such as modular and prefabricated building solutions, are gaining momentum in the MENA region. These innovative approaches improve construction timelines, enhance quality control, and contribute to safer working environments. By shifting construction processes to factory-controlled settings, offsite construction also minimises material waste, making it a highly sustainable choice.

Energy-efficient HVAC systems are becoming a priority. These systems incorporate smart technologies, renewable energy integration, and advanced energy recovery mechanisms, all aimed at reducing carbon footprints while enhancing indoor air quality in buildings.

Addressing workforce challenges

As the GCC construction industry embraces advanced technologies such as AI, robotics, and sustainable construction methods, there is an increasing demand for skilled labour. To bridge this skills gap, both governments and private sector stakeholders are investing in comprehensive training programmes, apprenticeships, and upskilling initiatives. ICC supports the industry with training and certification programmes crucial to elevating skill excellence and meeting this growing demand.

By providing relevant codes, standards, and resources tailored to the region’s unique challenges, the organisation aims to drive progress in creating safer, more sustainable built environments.

Mohamed Ahmed Amer, regional director of operations at ICC MENA, said, “The construction industry in the GCC is set for significant growth as it responds to the demands of global markets and tackles the challenges of environmental sustainability. The 2025 Construction Forecast highlights the need for stakeholders in the region to embrace emerging trends and innovations.”

Weeks after HIMSS recognised its Dammam hospital with Stage 6 certification, Saudi German Health welcomed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Minister of Health, H.E. Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel, to its Makkah hospital.

Saudi German Health's vice chairman, Makarem Sobhi Batterjee, said the company was "deeply honoured to welcome... the Saudi Minister of Health to SGH Makkah.

"This visit highlights our long-standing commitment to enhancing the nation’s healthcare services by adopting a holistic approach that combines compassion and innovation.

"At Saudi German Health, we aim to advance the strategic objectives of ‘Saudi Vision 2030’ by delivering personalised care, guided by our guiding ethos of ‘Caring Like Family’. On this occasion, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our incredible team for making this achievement possible."