Saudi Arabia: SWCC appoints DuPont for desalination facilities upgrade
Collaboration will see DuPont improve operational performance and safety
The Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) has announced that it is working with DuPont Sustainable Solutions (DSS), to enhance the operational excellence and risk management processes of its desalination facilities. The SWCC, which supplies 70% of the desalinated water in Saudi Arabia, says the move will ensure that a sustainable water supply is maintained in the country.
The SWCC is keen to privatise and align with Saudi Arabia’s 2030 strategic objectives, and says that its executive board decided to invest in the transformation of its operations, in line with the company’s privatisation goals.
“Every activity taking place at SWCC now is to prepare for the privatisation of the company. We want to create an environment that will allow SWCC to compete internationally so that ultimately, we have a sustainable business that the people of SWCC and Saudi Arabia can benefit from. DuPont’s experience in implementing operational improvement initiatives at their own facilities, and in the Kingdom, is an integral part of our improvement process,” said His Excellency Ali Al-Hazmi, governor of SWCC.
The SWCC says it has always strived for operational excellence, and adds that working with DSS will enable it to produce water in a more cost-effective way. DSS and its partners will begin the upgrade process at some of SWCC’s biggest facilities – plants, transmission lines and headquarters.
Abdullah al-Zowaid, deputy governor, Operations at SWCC added, “This operational transformation project will aim at strengthening our practices in risk management and operational excellence. The initiatives selected will focus on developing leadership capabilities, maximizing productivity, reliability and cost optimization.
DuPont Sustainable Solutions is one of eight businesses under the DuPont umbrella. The subsidiary specialises in operations management consulting services, which are designed to help organisations transform and optimise their processes, technologies and capabilities. DSS has operated in the Middle East for over 15-years.
“We are excited to collaborate with SWCC and have invited strategic partners to support us in helping SWCC achieve its aspirations. Each partner will bring a unique set of best practices to ensure SWCC gets support from the world’s leaders in their respective fields: Emerson to bring experience in automation and reliability, Riventa to provide expertise in water transmission and pumps, and GrahamTek with best practices in core desalination processes and technology,” commented Johan van der Westhuyzen, regional director for DSS – Turkey, Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.
