The U.S.-Saudi Business Council sat down with Majed M. Sherbiny, President of Sherbiny Holdings, to hear his thoughts on Sherbiny’s contributions to Vision 2030’s national development plans, its role in the infrastructure development of megaprojects such as NEOM and Qiddiya, and its plans for expansion and partnership. The company has been a leading provider of industrial solutions and equipment to the region for over 30 years and is currently expanding its business focus alongside Vision 2030’s diversification of the Saudi economy. Majed Sherbiny spoke to these developments, as well as Sherbiny’s vision for sustainability and operating in a post-pandemic landscape, in our latest member spotlight.
Sherbiny has many diversified holdings and business interests; how has Vision 2030’s launch impacted the focus of your company over the last five years, and how is Sherbiny planning for the next five years?
At Sherbiny, we fully embrace the guidelines outlined in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program. It is a groundbreaking initiative to help modernize and diversify the Saudi economy for the benefit of future generations. Sherbiny has supported the industrial sector in Saudi Arabia for over three decades, but Vision 2030 has helped us focus on our core strength which is being the local trusted partner for premium industrial solutions. We have invested heavily into the local economy including a new manufacturing facility that has already begun operations as well as a brand new headquarters that we are designing and building to host our ever increasing scope of business. We are investing in the local population to provide good jobs with an emphasis on empowering women into leadership positions and paving the way for a diverse and equal future.
We believe that our extensive network of great partners, premium equipment, technical services and support, as well as a full suite of engineering and local manufacturing capabilities is how we will contribute to building a better future for Saudi Arabia.
What role is Sherbiny playing in the development of infrastructure and energy solutions needed for NEOM, Qiddiya, and other major Saudi projects?
Due to the nature of our business and the product and service portfolio we currently have, we usually play a role in semi-developed infrastructure projects after completing the first stage of site preparation and phase 1 construction works. We supply critical systems for electricity transmission and stations, complete water treatment and distribution systems, safety and communication systems as well as other auxiliary systems which are installed at a later stage of the projects. We are hoping to be invited soon to participate in these mega projects with our expertise and portfolio of services and products.
Sherbiny’s environmental policy commits the company to “measurable and time bound environmental objectives.” What else has Sherbiny done to meet its commitments to sustainability and environmental management?
We believe that actions speak louder than words and thus have implemented numerous policies throughout the company to help protect our environment. We have modernized our building management system (BMS) to control our lighting in our facilities to become more energy efficient. We have optimized the use of cooling systems and electronics. Moreover, we switched our vehicles to fuel-efficient versions to make the most efficient use of resources. We have taken steps to avoid harmful waste with a specific focus on recycling, reducing paper usage by shifting to electronic methods, and other waste management processes. We have also formed internal teams to oversee and lead health, safety, and environmental initiatives as well as training sessions to help develop an environmentally friendly culture throughout the company. All of the above has helped us earn the ISO 14001 certification to help solidify our commitments to protecting the environment.
Going forward, we will further integrate these policies at every step. For example, our new headquarters will be built to the highest degree of sustainability standards (A+++) with intelligent cooling systems, solar panels, and a vibrant work environment that is in harmony with nature. This is not only our country; it is our home. We intend to invest in our environment to protect our home for future generations.
How have Sherbiny’s latest strategic partnerships contributed to Saudi localization?
Sherbiny has partnered with great companies for decades, and our latest strategic initiatives have built on that foundation by leading the way towards a future of products made in Saudi Arabia. We have hired more Saudis and empowered women into leadership roles. We have invested heavily in the local economy by sourcing local products, building a new manufacturing facility, and are beginning to build our new headquarters that will allow us to expand our operations in regards to offering the greatest local technical services, manufacturing, and support to all our clients in Saudi Arabia and throughout the GCC.
In the last five years, how has Sherbiny diversified its business operations from its original services for the oil & gas, petrochemicals, and water sectors, and how much in the next five years will it continue this diversification?
Traditionally, Sherbiny was a distributor of premium industrial products. While we continue to supply leading mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment, we have diversified our business to focus more on comprehensive solutions that combine our premium equipment with excellent local technical services, support, and local manufacturing capabilities. We have expanded throughout Saudi Arabia and now maintain locations in Khobar, Saudi Arabia as well as Yanbu on the west coast to offer complete coverage of the Saudi market. Furthermore, we have expanded our global footprint by investing in new offices in Bahrain and across Europe to help connect us with new partners, new clients, and provide the highest quality engineering services to our customers.
A key strategic imperative of ours is to invest in our local economy. We have built a new manufacturing facility to host our two new divisions dedicated to building products and solutions locally in Saudi Arabia. Rasana focuses on fluid handling systems such as chemical dosing skids as well as steam and water analysis systems. Atheel will focus on locally manufactured electrical and instrumentation equipment such as complete gas detection systems, fire safety systems, and signaling and communication solutions. We are constantly partnering with new companies to expand our catalog of locally manufactured products, and we invite all potential partners to contact us and join us in exploring these new and exciting opportunities.
How did Sherbiny adapt to the changing business landscape of the pandemic? What has changed moving forward for Sherbiny because of the pandemic?
The pandemic has challenged the world in many ways. It seemed like the world stopped moving, and our hearts and prayers go out to all our brothers and sisters around the globe. At Sherbiny, we believe in being flexible to adapt to any challenge. We took swift action to transition to remote working when possible, as well as implemented numerous health and safety guidelines to maintain operations in a safe manner. We also made sure to follow and share the latest guidelines from health officials, and encouraged our employees to get vaccinated to help serve the greater good and protect our neighbors. The pandemic showed us the importance of utilizing technology to help close the distance and maintain a vibrant community and culture throughout the company. We are proud to say that Sherbiny’s effective strategic decisions allowed us to grow last year despite the challenging circumstances.
Going forward, we will continue to adapt towards the future of work. We have already begun implementing more flexible routines, more effective procedures and meetings, and continue our digital transformation at every level including the implementation of a new ERP system and digital communication tools. We are excited to utilize AI technology to help automate workloads and optimize our operations to help keep people safe and our customers happy. By combining the latest technology and a vibrant working culture built on our family values, you can be assured that no matter the circumstances, Sherbiny will rise to the occasion.
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