meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Tabuk steel factory to start operations in 2024

13 November 2023

 

Register for MEED's guest programme 

MS-Metals is building a fully computerised and automated factory for metal solutions in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Construction work has already started, and the factory is expected to be operational by March 2024.

The plant aims to capitalise on the growth of Saudi Arabia’s construction projects market, which registered $10.3bn in contract awards in the first half of 2023 and is on course for an all-time record by the end of the year. As well as the total value of contract awards rising, the increase in the scale and complexity of projects such as Neom has spurred innovation in the manufacturing construction sector.

The total area of the planned MS-Metals plant is 33,400 square metres (sq m). It has 13,500 sq m of production facilities and 12 assembly lines to serve its product range.

Once operational, the factory will supply light gauge steel (LGS) structures for modular and prefabricated buildings, bathroom and kitchen pods and containerised modular units for construction projects in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region.

Using a manufacturing method known as computer numerical control, the Tabuk-based factory will use preprogrammed software to automate its machines.

“This facility will mark a milestone in Saudi Arabia,” company representatives told MEED. “It boasts fully computerised production lines, ensuring faster and more efficient production and assembly.”

“MS-Metals has employed a comprehensive automation strategy in its upcoming factory, featuring 12 guided production lines, including the LGS section and the production machines for roofing and side bending, all fully computerised."

Strategic location

The surge in project activity in the kingdom, together with rising demand, has incentivised manufacturers and suppliers to focus on efficient delivery, especially given the challenges posed by the high costs of materials and transportation.

The manufacturer emphasises the potential for contemporary metal solutions, including LGS buildings and modular construction, within Saudi Arabia.

"Saudi Arabia presents a huge opportunity for modern metal solutions,” says MS-Metals. “Since fulfilling the kingdom's ambitious construction plans will require vast resources, proximity to the projects will be instrumental in saving time, costs and resources."

The upcoming factory is strategically situated within 180 kilometres (km) of all the Neom projects and is 480km from the Red Sea Project.

This location enables MS-Metals to ensure a stable and timely supply for ongoing and future projects, the manufacturer says.

“The economic boom in the kingdom has prompted several upcoming projects to be located in close proximity to the Tabuk area, which works to the advantage of MS-Metals. This factory is strategically situated close to key gigaprojects such as Neom, Amaala and the Red Sea Project, creating a highly efficient and cost-effective supply chain for construction materials.”

“One of the primary benefits is the capability to offer same-day deliveries to projects such as Neom, The Line, Trojena, Oxagon, Amaala, the Red Sea Project and Al-Ula.

“Additionally, products such as bathroom and kitchen pods, which are not readily available in Saudi Arabia and are typically imported, will now be manufactured and assembled closer to the projects. This shift will help our clients to reduce costs and decrease their dependence on imports.”

Off-site construction

The manufacturer will produce prefabricated modules in its factory and assemble them on site.

MS-Metals emphasises the advantages of this approach, saying: “By using off-site fabrication and advanced assembly techniques, we will offer the fastest production and delivery times for the gigaprojects.

“Our factory will also have the unique capability to construct light gauge warehouses reaching up to 30 metres in width, a feat that is unheard of in the Middle East.”

According to the firm, this factory will also be the only facility in the kingdom with the capacity to construct modular and LGS buildings with up to five storeys.

MS-Metals is a subsidiary of the UAE-based ARCCO Group of Companies that supplies complex infrastructure development, integrated logistics solutions and oversight to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries. ARCCO Group has been catering to the UAE construction industry since 1994. The group has eight subsidiaries across the GCC.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/11292400/main5307.jpg
Sarah Rizvi

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Egypt approves plans for 869MW wind power plant

    22 June 2026

    Egypt’s Cabinet has approved plans for French renewable energy developer Voltalia to develop an 869MW wind power project.

    The scheme will be built on land allocated by the New & Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), according to a statement posted by the Cabinet following its most recent weekly meeting.

    Voltalia will make an initial investment of $53m and has committed to achieving commercial operations by December 2028.

    Voltalia already operates the 32MW Ra solar plant at the Benban solar complex in Aswan and is expanding its renewable energy portfolio in Egypt.

    Previously, in 2024, it signed a framework agreement with Egypt’s Taqa Arabia to develop a green hydrogen and renewable power cluster near the Ain Sokhna port in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.

    The green hydrogen development is planned in two phases, each centred on a 500MW electrolyser powered by more than 1.3GW of renewable generation capacity. The project, still in its early stages, is expected to produce up to 350,000 tonnes of green ammonia a year.

    Voltalia’s partnership with Taqa Arabia also includes plans for a 3.2GW hybrid wind and solar project to repower the existing 545MW Zafarana wind farm in Suez Governorate. The Cabinet statement did not indicate whether the newly approved 869MW wind project forms part of that proposal.

    Meanwhile, the developer won another contract, earlier this year, to develop a 132MW solar power project in Tunisia’s Gabes region.

    The project, known as Wadi, marked Voltalia’s third major solar award in the country after the Sagdoud and Menzel Habib projects awarded in 2024.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17376730/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Local firm signs Jeddah drainage contracts

    22 June 2026

    Local contractor Alkhorayef Water & Power Technologies (AWPT) has announced it has signed two contracts with Jeddah Municipality to operate and maintain stormwater and surface water drainage networks across the city.

    The contracts have a combined value of SR202.06m ($53.9m), and each will run for five years.

    The first contract, valued at SR108.46m ($28.9m), covers the operation and cleaning of stormwater and surface water networks in the South and Al-Malisa sub-municipalities.

    The second contract, worth SR93.59m ($25m), covers similar services for the Airport Sub-Municipality.

    In March, MEED reported that the firm had won a long-term contract to carry out work in the airport’s sub-municipality area. The agreement was signed on 16 June.

    Elsewhere, construction has yet to begin on phases one and two of the King Abdullah Road-Falasteen Road tunnel project, each valued at about $175m.

    According to sources, Jeddah Municipality selected Saudi contractor Thrustboring Construction Company to build the large-diameter stormwater drainage tunnels in 2025. However, an official agreement has yet to be signed.

    The municipality was also previously planning to rehabilitate the existing Al-Zahra pumping station. Prequalification for the project began in 2020; however, it is understood that the main contact tender was cancelled last year.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17376097/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Saudi firm signs Uzbekistan water treatment PPP

    22 June 2026

    Saudi-listed Miahona has signed a public-private partnership agreement to enhance, operate and maintain Uzbekistan’s Zomin water treatment plant in the country’s Jizzakh region.

    The agreement was signed on 18 June with Uzsuvtaminot, the country’s state-owned water utility, the developer said in a filing with the Saudi stock exchange.

    Miahona will carry out enhancement works and 25 years of operation and maintenance services for the existing plant, which has a design treatment capacity of 50,000 cubic metres a day

    The contract marks the company’s entry into Uzbekistan’s water sector. According to the disclosure, it will enter into force once a project-related governmental decree is issued in accordance with Uzbekistan’s applicable legislation.

    The contract is estimated at $105m (SR395m), with a final value to be confirmed following the issuance of the governmental decree.

    MEED reported earlier this month that Uzbekistan had stepped up its engagement with Middle Eastern investors, including holding talks with Saudi Arabia’s Acwa and Vision Invest on renewable energy, water management, waste recycling, digital infrastructure and urban utility projects.

    The government also recently held discussions with a UAE delegation led by Suhail Mohamed Al-Mazrouei, minister of energy and infrastructure and chairman of Etihad Water & Electricity’s Board of Directors.

    At the Tashkent International Investment Forum, it signed a €197m financing package with Germany’s KfW Development Bank to support drinking water supply and wastewater projects in the Surkhandarya and Fergana regions.

    The projects will cover Termez and several district centres in Surkhandarya region, as well as Kokand and Margilan in Fergana region.

    This includes “the construction and reconstruction of hundreds of kilometres of drinking water and wastewater networks, pumping stations and modern wastewater treatment facilities”, deputy prime minister Jamshid Khodjaev said.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17375811/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Qiddiya seeks contractors for indoor arena project

    22 June 2026

     

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Saudi Arabian gigaproject developer Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has invited contractors to prequalify for a contract to build an indoor sports arena within its Qiddiya entertainment city project.

    The invitation was issued on 21 May, with a submission deadline of 28 June.

    The multipurpose arena is designed to International Olympic Committee standards.

    It will be located in District 18, in the Uptown South area of Qiddiya.

    Once completed, the indoor arena will be capable of hosting a wide range of sports, cultural and entertainment events.

    The arena will feature numerous sports courts for basketball, handball, futsal, volleyball, tennis, boxing and gymnastics.

    It will have a seating capacity of 18,000 spectators.

    The project is scheduled for completion by 2030.

    QIC’s other major projects include an e-sports arena, the National Tennis Centre, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium, a motorsports track, a racecourse, the Dragon Ball and Six Flags theme parks, and Aquarabia.

    QIC opened the Six Flags theme park to the public in December last year.

    The park covers 320,000 square metres and features 28 rides and attractions, including 10 thrill rides and 18 aimed at families and young children.

    The Qiddiya project is a key part of Riyadh’s strategy to boost leisure tourism in the kingdom.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17375504/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Egypt signs gas deal with Harbour Energy

    22 June 2026

    Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources has signed a new agreement with London-headquartered Harbour Energy.

    Under the scope of the agreement, Harbour Energy will drill two new exploration wells and carry out maintenance work for one of the existing wells within the Dsouq-1 development contract.

    Harbour Energy committed an initial $6m investment and a $1m signing bonus for the Dsouq concession. Total investment could rise to $18m if commercial discoveries are made.

    The signing was witnessed by Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum, Karim Badawi.

    He said that his ministry is continuing to implement a package of investment measures and incentives aimed at encouraging partners to increase investments and intensify exploration, development and production activities.

    The agreement was signed by Syed Saleem, a member of the executive branch of the state-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), and Samah Sabry, the executive director of Harbour Energy for the Middle East and North Africa region.

    Harbour Energy drilled two new wells in Egypt during the fiscal year 2025/2026, resulting in the addition of reserves estimated at 35 billion cubic feet of gas.

    The company aims to drill three new exploration wells during the fiscal year 2026/2027.

    Egypt is currently pushing to boost the production of both oil and gas in its territory.

    Earlier this month, Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources announced that it had fully settled all outstanding arrears owed to oil and gas companies.

    Two years ago, in June 2024, the country owed approximately $6.1bn to partners in the oil and gas sector.

    READ THE JUNE 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    GCC looks beyond the Strait; Iraq’s reform window narrows as fiscal assumptions shatter; MEED Top 100 companies.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the June 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17374536/main4731.jpg
    Wil Crisp