JAFZA And Eaton Collaborate On New Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing And R&D Campus In Dubai

Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) and Eaton, a global power management company, have signed an agreement to establish a new sustainable campus. This facility will consolidate Eaton's Dubai-based commercial, manufacturing, and support functions while allowing for future growth.

The project aims to enhance Dubai's capabilities in advanced manufacturing of electrical and electronic components. These components are essential for industries such as data centres, buildings, and solar energy. The construction of the facility, which will cover over 500,000 square feet, is set to begin in 2025 and is expected to be completed by 2026.

The new campus will feature a state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) centre. This centre will focus on sustainable manufacturing, power management, machine learning, AI, and other related fields. The project is anticipated to create around 700 jobs, including high-skilled engineering roles and advanced manufacturing positions.

The facility will utilise sustainable technology to demonstrate the role commercial and industrial buildings can play in the energy transition. The manufacturing centre will be fully digitally enabled with automation, analytics, and advanced robotics to improve production processes. This aligns with Industry 4.0 principles and sets a benchmark for sustainable buildings and advanced manufacturing in the region.

The signing ceremony took place at Jafza in Dubai. It was attended by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World; Craig Arnold, Chairman and CEO of Eaton; and senior management from both companies. During the event, Bin Sulayem highlighted that this partnership with Eaton marks a significant step in developing smart manufacturing facilities in Jafza.

Economic Impact

Bin Sulayem stated that the strategic partnership directly supports Dubai's D33 strategy. "We aim to further strengthen Dubai's standing as a global leader in high-tech and automated manufacturing," he said. "Once fully operational, the plant is expected to generate a substantial impact on the UAE's economy, contribute towards the transition to sustainable energy and provide valuable opportunities for young Emiratis."

This initiative will extend Eaton's research, engineering, and manufacturing capacity significantly. It aims to boost Dubai’s capabilities in producing safe and efficient power solutions for various industries.

The project underscores how commercial entities can contribute to sustainable energy transitions through innovative technology integration. By embracing Industry 4.0 principles with digital enablement through automation and robotics, it sets new standards for regional manufacturing excellence.

With inputs from WAM