Sustainable Manufacturing as a new imperative

We have to work together to solve one of the greatest crises in human history — climate change.

That’s a pretty big way to start an article. Let me back it up a couple of steps. This year I’m stoked to have taken on a new and exciting role as the Chief Marketing Officer for Alat, a PIF (Public Investment Fund) company based in Saudi Arabia focused around creating a sustainable and smart manufacturing hub using clean energy.

I’ve worked in the tech industry for decades. And over my time in the industry, with growing alarm I’ve been staggered by the sheer amount of power consumed, the carbon emitted & waste produced to make our electronic gadgets.

You might ask: what does a CMO know about factory operation?

My answer is simple: in order to accurately and authentically tell the stories of the companies that I’ve worked for, I’ve made it a priority to understand every facet of our business and the environment we operate within. For years, I’ve told real stories of what my company can do, or is doing, to benefit the environment. I’ve done this because I know our customers care about it, more and more every year, just like I do.

Sustainable manufacturing with Alat

In every industry involved with the production of goods, I firmly believe sustainable manufacturing is no longer optional — it’s an absolute necessity.

At Alat, our mission is to lead by example, demonstrating that smart, sustainable manufacturing is not only possible, but essential for the future of our planet. Building on a clean slate, we will produce electronics and industrial equipment with the lowest carbon footprint globally.

Across my career at multinational tech companies like Apple, Dell, Lenovo and Hitachi, I’ve seen that technology has the potential to be the answer to so many of our global problems. Advanced technology has had an outsized impact on communities worldwide. But increasing demand for goods and power is putting huge and unnecessary strain on our planet.

There has to be a better way to make all the things that we need.

Our mission at Alat is simple: "Tomorrow Made Better." Aligned with the Saudi Vision 2030, we aim to reshape the Kingdom’s economy from oil-based to flourishing green, and transform global electronics and advanced industrial sectors by decarbonizing manufacturing with clean energy.

This vision is not just about making better products; it’s about creating a better future.

Embracing the fourth industrial revolution - or should we call it the fifth?

We are in the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterised by the digitization of manufacturing, the integration of advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and 3D printing. These innovations are transforming manufacturing processes, driving significant efficiencies, and reducing waste.

At Alat, we will be leveraging these smart technologies to optimise our operations and those of our partner companies, while also maintaining a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. There’s a thought: taking the technologies of the fourth industrial revolution and ensuring that they are deployed in sustainable ways — maybe we should call this the fifth industrial revolution!

Our first factory, a state-of-the-art robotics facility, is designed to operate using 100% solar power, with batteries for 24/7 operations & no need for grid power. This facility is a testament to ours and our partners’ commitments to green LEED certification and building the foundations for a smarter, more sustainable manufacturing ecosystem.

Green Certified buildings like this factory are constructed with the lowest carbon footprint, with green steel and green concrete. They encourage the use of our planet’s abundant clean energy sources. They employ processes that reduce carbon emissions like low-temperature soldering, an amazing innovation I witnessed the introduction of while I was working at Lenovo.

They’re also highly automomous factories & when embedded with AI and data analytics from the very beginning, it’s a smarter way of running the facility from inception.

Challenges and opportunities in sustainable manufacturing

A huge opportunity in manufacturing is by embedding AI, into everything we do within a factory. By analysing vast amounts of data, AI can identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement that humans might miss. For example, using IoT-enabled smart pallets, AI can optimise logistics and supply chain management, reducing waste, carbon emissions and costs. Whether it’s ensuring nothing is moved more times than it should be, or lost or misplaced, or drilling down to figure out exactly which batch of goods was flawed and should be withdrawn without affecting the rest of the day’s production, this technology can be incredibly helpful for efficiency.

But admittedly, integrating smart technologies with sustainable practices presents challenges, particularly in managing the energy demands of AI data centres. At Alat, we have strict plans to overcome these challenges by using Saudi Arabia’s abundant solar and wind power, with battery storage and green hydrogen for nighttime operations. This balanced approach ensures that our AI requirements are met sustainably.

Our commitment to sustainability is backed by significant investments. Alat plans to invest $100 billion in Saudi Arabia by 2030, contributing $9.3 billion to the non-oil economy and creating 39,000 skilled jobs. This investment is a testament to our dedication to economic diversification and growth.

In addition, we are establishing advanced research and development centres in partnership with global leaders across diverse industries, like SoftBank, Lenovo, and Carrier. Our practical work with these companies and our research centres will focus on reducing emissions and enhancing energy efficiency, further solidifying our commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Becoming part of a greater story

When I was growing up, my dad used to tell me stories about working in Saudi Arabia back in the 1970s. I was always fascinated by these stories; but in more recent years I’ve watched the positive changes in the Kingdom as it transforms. Economically, Saudi Arabia recently achieved an incredible milestone with 50% of GDP from non-oil sources and with 50% of the Kingdom's electricity committed to come from clean sources by 2030, the pace of change is astonishing.

That means that when I first learned about Alat and its mission, I was hooked.

Becoming part of the story of Alat, transforming manufacturing of electronics & industrials, is a great challenge. At Alat, we are leading the way with innovative technologies, strategic partnerships, and a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. Together with our partners, we are building a better tomorrow, one that embraces sustainability and transforms industries for the better.

Sustainable manufacturing is not just an option; it’s a necessity.

And not only is it good for Saudi Arabia, it's good for the planet.

I am incredibly proud to be part of this journey! I can’t wait to share more of our story with you in the upcoming months. ??