Manufacturing

The meeting was attended by senior officials. (Image source: MOCCAE)

Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, presided over a meeting of the UAE Council for Environmental and Municipal Work, where a collaboration was unveiled to create a national waste exchange platform.

Held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Dubai, the meeting spotlighted the critical contributions of municipalities and environmental organisations in driving sustainable practices and enhancing municipal initiatives across the UAE. Dr. Al Dahak acknowledged the Council members for their active roles in agricultural and planting programmes, including Planting Week and the Our Green Emirates campaign, both integral components of the broader Plant the Emirates National Programme.

“The meeting represents a new step toward achieving the Ministry’s goals, which will actively contribute to the UAE’s overall development by fostering sustainable communities. The UAE’s model of integrated environmental and municipal work is one of a kind, and we look forward to building on our shared knowledge and strong partnerships to achieve our objectives and uphold our leadership in environmental and municipal work,” said Dr. Al Dahak. 

Key updates

The UAE Council for Environmental and Municipal Work convened to review progress on prior recommendations and discuss key initiatives. Updates on the "Our Green Emirates" programme highlighted significant contributions from municipalities and environmental entities, showcasing collaborative efforts to advance the UAE's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Stakeholders presented data and outlined projects addressing economic, social, and environmental priorities to enhance the UAE’s global standing on SDG achievements.

Key agenda items included strengthening mosquito control, enhancing facilities like shelters and zoos, and protecting endangered species listed under CITES. The Council also explored agri-tourism initiatives, focusing on improved licensing and regulatory frameworks to boost this sector.

Discussions provided updates on the National Integrated Waste Management Agenda for 2024. The Fujairah Environment Authority outlined current and future waste management projects, while Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport shared strategies for enhancing public aesthetics.

A significant milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Beeah Group to establish a national waste exchange platform. The platform aims to transform recyclable waste into economic resources by repurposing it as raw materials for various industries.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including HE Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and representatives from key municipal and environmental bodies across the UAE.

The event highlighted the achievements of the entrepreneurial community. (Image source: RAKEZ)

The RAKEZ Growth Series 2024 concluded with a final gathering at the Compass Coworking Centre, bringing together participants, speakers, and industry leaders for a day of networking, reflection, and valuable business insights.

The event highlighted the achievements of the entrepreneurial community, celebrating the growth and success driven by the knowledge and strategies shared throughout the year.

Over the course of 2024, the RAKEZ Growth Series featured 10 dynamic sessions, hosting dozens of experts from industries such as finance, marketing, wellness, media, and government. With over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners in attendance, the series served as a platform for learning, collaboration, and unlocking new opportunities for business growth.

The final event of the year provided attendees with an opportunity to revisit the highlights of the RAKEZ Growth Series, reconnect with peers, and gain new insights from inspiring speakers. Entrepreneurs reflected on their achievements, shared their growth stories, and discussed strategies to maintain momentum heading into 2025.

In 2024, the RAKEZ Growth Series served as a catalyst for business transformation. Participants frequently credited the series' expert guidance, practical resources, and networking opportunities as instrumental in driving their progress and fostering long-term success.

Reflections

RAKEZ group CEO Ramy Jalad, said, “The RAKEZ Growth Series was created with a mission to empower business owners and entrepreneurs with practical strategies, actionable insights, and valuable networks to fuel their success. The 2024 edition delivered on this promise, facilitating countless opportunities for growth, collaboration, and learning. It has been incredible to witness the transformative power of shared knowledge and connections in our community.”

Shijin Abdul Latheef, founder of Craftspot Designs, said, "The RAKEZ Growth Series has been a true game-changer for me! Each session delivered actionable insights, and the networking opportunities have allowed me to forge invaluable partnerships. These events have consistently exceeded my expectations, providing unmatched value that keeps me coming back.”

Hannah Joao, founder of Digitally Driven, said, "The Growth Series events have been essential to my personal and professional journey. By attending multiple sessions, I’ve not only grown my network but also built meaningful partnerships that have significantly boosted my business. As the founder of a digital marketing agency in Ras Al Khaimah, I’ve experienced firsthand how these sessions cultivate innovation, collaboration, and practical takeaways that empower businesses to thrive. For me, the Growth Series isn’t just an event—it’s a launchpad for success."

Mohamed Ismail Syed, founder of RAKVISTA, said, "The Growth Series isn’t just a series of events; it’s a university for young entrepreneurs like us. The speakers are exceptional, offering insights that expand our perspectives, refine our strategies, and provide actionable guidance we can apply to our ventures. This platform has been instrumental in helping me navigate market dynamics and inspired me to strive for excellence in my entrepreneurial journey."

Maggie Slowik, global industry director for manufacturing, IFS. (Image source: IFS)

Between an aging workforce, and the difficulty to attract new workers, the manufacturing industry is fraught with problems and a growing shortage of skilled labour.

But on its very own shop floors exist years of knowledge and expertise from its current workers, the very human tools that will help manufacturers uphold quality standards.  

Without the correct systems in place, the knowledge from experienced workers goes undocumented, and a lack of standardised processes stop manufacturers from capturing crucial information, the sort of information that could easily result in product recalls.  

Now, with the addition of connected worker technologies, manufacturers can tackle countless pain points felt by today’s companies, simply by connecting training and empowering frontline workers.  

When you put the connected worker at the heart of your operations, the entire quality lifecycle is enhanced – workers are fully trained on the latest standards, new quality efficiencies can be realised as algorithms and data are analysed, and the risk of product recalls are minimised. 

Human intelligence  

Of course, machines and technology are getting smarter—but so are humans, and having the two work in tandem can help manufacturers reap real rewards in the fight for continuous improvement of product quality.  

It’s the frontline workers in these operations that will make or break a successful quality and food safety operation before it leaves the factory.  

Connected, trained, and empowered workers are essential to add a frontline layer of quality control and an all-seeing eye on what’s happening on the shop floor. Giving workers the ability to access and analyse data based on algorithms and use cases will drive efficiencies across quality control. We see this with  features like Digital Forms and Issues Management from Poka Inc., an IFS company, which give frontline workers the tools to perform essential quality checks. 

The power of real-time information 

Poka’s connected worker platform provides the opportunity to learn from other workers and their manufacturing experiences. It enables manufacturers to take their best, most knowledgeable employees and capture and reuse their knowledge. They can ensure the best people are training new employees to the best possible standards—and they only have to do it once.   

The results? When frontline workers are fully trained on the most up-to-date processes and standards, they contribute to the organisation’s ability to reduce waste, optimise production efficiency, and, crucially, minimise defects. The 70:20:10 model, which puts collaborative working  on top of the learning and development scale, is  precisely how training and development works for frontline workers on the shop floor.  As opposed to simply telling workers to ‘go on a course’ the model focuses on 70% of learning on the job, 20% of learning through colleagues and 10% via formal training programmes.    

Integrate technology to combat quality issues 

Integrating connected worker platforms alongside enterprise resource planning (ERP) software gives manufacturers embedded functionalities to address the entire quality lifecycle—from supply chain management, manufacturing work in progress, and maintenance, through to warehouse management, and distribution.  

By giving frontline workers the tools to document quality checks, and access information to stay compliant and proactive, manufacturers can empower a company-wide culture of innovation. When the focus is shifted to empowering your frontline workers, you’re able to give your teams the tools to identify opportunities for improvement. 

This article was authored by Maggie Slowik, global industry director for manufacturing, IFS. It has been edited for brevity. 

A major area of focus for Würth Group in the Middle East will be the refurbishment and renovation of existing infrastructure. (Image source: Wurth Group)

Würth Group, the global industrial conglomerate, is setting its sights on the Middle East market with a renewed focus on manufacturing, digitalisation, and sustainability.

As Benjamin Würth will take over from his grandfather and is now the deputy chairman of the supervisory board, the group is poised to leverage its extensive experience and innovative solutions to cater to the region's growing construction and industrial sectors.

In an exclusive interview with Technical Review Middle East, the company said that one of its key initiatives is the launch of a focused strategy for the Middle East market. As Benjamin's close aide, Angela Pernsteiner, explained, "The group will invest in dedicated resources to better serve the large-scale construction projects in the region."

Refurbishment and sustainability

A major area of focus for Würth Group in the Middle East will be the refurbishment and renovation of existing infrastructure. "Around 70% of the buildings in the region need to be refurbished and renovated," said Pernsteiner. "We have innovative solutions, that can extend the lifespan of bridges and buildings without disrupting operations."

This focus on sustainability aligns with the company's broader commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry. "We can't avoid the emissions from construction, but we can be more sustainable by refurbishing and renovating with innovative products," Pernsteiner added.

One of the company's key innovations is the use of automated vending machines for construction sites. "These vending machines ensure 24/7 availability of materials, and they're equipped with advanced scanning technology to track inventory and restock automatically," explained Benjamin Würth.

Customised solutions

Würth Group's success has been built on its ability to provide customised solutions and adapt to local market conditions. "We don't just sell products; we offer solutions," said Benjamin Würth. "We listen to our customers' challenges and develop products and services that address their specific needs."

This localisation strategy extends to the company's manufacturing capabilities. "We believe in producing locally to ensure sustainability and reliability, especially during supply chain disruptions," Würth added. "We have centers worldwide to maintain consistent quality and service levels."

Underpinning Würth Group's expansion in the Middle East is a strong focus on upskilling and employee development. "The job descriptions are changing, and we need to ensure our people have the necessary skills," said Benjamin Würth. "We have an academy that provides training and reskilling programmes to help our employees grow with the company."