Yokogawa celebrates its 110th anniversary in 2025. What has been its evolution in the Middle East?

NS: We are all about industrial automation, providing control systems, sensors and solutions that help plants run smoothly. In the Middle East, we have mainly served oil and gas companies like Saudi Aramco, ADNOC and SABIC. Today, Saudi Arabia is our biggest market in the region. We set up two companies, one in the Kingdom in 2006 for sales and engineering, and another for service and maintenance. Over time, we have seen a lot of growth, and now Saudi Arabia is one of our top markets globally, just behind Japan and China. In 2020, we established a factory at King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) to manufacture transmitters and panels and handle system integration, aligning with Saudi Arabia's IKTVA (In-Kingdom Total Value Add) and Saudization goals. We have been involved in Saudi Arabia's mining sector, especially with Ma'aden. We have had a strong presence in their phosphate plants, and this year, we landed a major contract for the Phosphate 3 project Phase 1. .

FM: In 2014, we rebranded to Yokogawa Middle East and Africa to cover both regions. With mining now a pillar in Saudi Arabia, we have been able to tap into our experience in the sector to grow further. We have also invested heavily in R&D, cybersecurity, and other areas to ensure we are well-positioned for future growth across all industries.

Can you tell us more about Yokogawa's role in the Phosphate 3 project with Ma'aden?

FM: For the Phosphate 3 project, we will be bringing in technologies, especially around digitalization, robotics, drones, advanced control systems and AI. We will improve efficiency, reduce carbon footprints, and boost production without redesigning the whole process. Instead, we optimize the existing equipment, which means lower upfront costs but significant long-term benefits.

Where do you see the biggest growth opportunities for Yokogawa in Saudi Arabia?

NS: Mining is definitely a huge growth area for Yokogawa in Saudi Arabia. With new discoveries in copper, zinc and other resources, we are excited to help the government accelerate production. Our focus is on industrial automation (IA) and moving towards industrial autonomy so that plants can run more independently and efficiently. AI is a big part of that, especially for mining operations in tough, remote areas where we can use AI for remote monitoring, cutting down on the need for people to be physically there. We are interested in starting proof-of-concept projects with clients like Ma'aden and are optimistic about expanding these technologies.

FM: With the Kingdom focusing more on efficiency and sustainability, our technologies are right at the center of these changes. We offer solutions for energy management, helping industries use renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions, and optimize energy use.

What can you tell us about the use of digital twins?

FM: For mining, we have introduced this concept through our Operator Training Simulator (OTS), currently used at Ma'aden. The OTS helps train new operators and maintenance staff, transferring knowledge and skills. Our next step is to evolve this into a full digital twin, allowing operators to interact with a higher-resolution model of the process, manipulate control algorithms, and implement them directly on-site.

What can we expect from Yokogawa in the coming years in the region?

NS: We are promoting our internship programs to train young Saudis and share our global expertise, particularly from markets like Japan. We are also teaming up with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals to help develop the next generation of mining professionals. On top of that, we are getting into some exciting new tech, like space-based solutions and satellites, to offer real-time monitoring of mining operations and exploration.

FM: We have been working across different industries for decades, and one of the things that drives us is co-innovation. We believe in teaming up with our partners to tackle challenges and find the best solutions. In the mining sector, our goal is to help make operations cleaner and more efficient while bringing in new tech that keeps Saudi Arabia competitive globally.