Hardware Manufacturing
No significant hardware production operations exist in Saudi Arabia. The lack of human recourses and technology, the strict regulations and the oil based economy all contribute to this shortcoming. In the area of computers, most of the existing operations are in the form of assembly lines. Just recently, Microsoft Saudi Arabia has appointed five Saudi Arabian PC system builders as Microsoft direct original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This appointment is the first of such nature in the region; most importantly, it recognizes the high level of quality of the locally assembled PCs. These firms are:
These five firms have the potential to be significant players in the local market in the short run and possibly in the region on long run. In addition to these firms several smaller firms produce printed circuit boards, but the quantity of these operations are insignificant. Nevertheless, this can be a beginner for more advanced forms of manufacturing in the future.
The Saudi Cable Company carries out the most significant manufacturing operations that exist today. SCC is a local firm based in Jeddah; the firm has established itself in a strong position of market leadership with a reputation for technical excellence and uncompromising product quality. SCC Cables are ISO 9002 certified, their product range also includes:
SCC is regarded as one of the major players in the region and could possibly be one of the major global players in the future.
Saudi Arabia is not considered a leader in the area of hardware manufacturing in the region, but it has the potential to become one. SCC is a good example of this notion; Saudi firms can become the providers of one or several high-quality hardware components exporting to the region.