It is engaged in developing local capabilities in strategic areas of advanced electronics: manufacturing, repair, system integration as well as sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services for different sectors like Defense, Telecommunications and Industrial. Dr. Ghassan Shibl President and CEO, AEC explains the rationale behind the company’s progress.
“Exceptional organisations implement their mission and vision by developing a stakeholder focused strategy taking into account the markets and sectors in which it operates. Through dedication, we have made headway in serving the region respecting our corporate values with a range of products, solutions and services over the past 20 years”, he explains.
The organisation’s goals are unequivocal. “We want to be the foremost electronics technology leader and ICT solutions provider in the Middle East by developing a customer centric, market-driven, technologybased diversified organisation that localises technology and creates job opportunities.” Being customer-focused, they build their relationships on integrity, whilst ensuring total customer satisfaction. In this quest, AEC has adopted a holistic management approach that fosters business agility and effectiveness while striving for innovation, flexibility and integration.
Military Systems has been instrumental in delivering diverse military programs in partnership with international OEM’s. It also supports local military needs with electronics repair and maintenance, offering logistical support too. The Industrial Systems (ISBU) focuses on the energy, oil and gas, petrochemical and water industries; as well as offering manufacturing services to OEM’s operating in these sectors. The support of strong E&D capabilities, lifecycle management and Key Account concept, ISBU is well poised to serve requirements through innovative products and systems.
The AEC team is naturally diverse – encompassing 2,100 people with a variety of skills, qualifications and experience. “We benefit from this tremendous source of local talent to create a great company – an empowered workforce that is committed to the success of our customers.”
This has been demonstrated across all aspects of the business and AEC is improving its commitment to diversity by aligning its business strategies with end customer’s priorities, creating long-term partnerships with leading international companies, harnessing opportunities, acquiring new capabilities and investing in their people as well as the community at large.
AEC is organised around three business areas: Military Systems Business Unit, Telecom Systems Business Unit and Industrial Systems Business Unit (supported by its Corporate Development Unit). Since 2008, non-organic growth by engaging joint ventures and partnerships has flourished. For instance, The AASC (Advanced Arabian Simulation Company) is a joint venture between AEC and Thales Training and Simulation, along with another JV, which is GBC (Gulf Batteries Company) to maufacture specialised batteries in partnership with HBL Power Systems Ltd and Abdullah H. Al Shuwayer group. “We are ensuing partnerships in the areas of Next Generation Networks and Automatic Meter Reading as these are examples of how AEC is addressing its growth strategy across all Business Sectors. We are considered a national asset by the customer communities and government institutions”, Dr. Shibl reveals, “This keeps us striving to achieve new milestones.”
With the Total Quality Management (TQM) program at the heart of AEC since 1993, the organisation was the winner of the prestigious King Abdul Aziz Quality Award in 2008. With several accolades in this area, and more than triple the required number of Saudi nationals in their workforce that makes it a pioneer in this field, over the years, AEC has demonstrated leadership in Saudization. The company’s approach is based on Saudization by growth, development of Saudi talents and the promotion of responsibility and accountability.
AEC has been instrumental in successfully delivering several major telecom programs in partnership with leading international OEM’s. The Telecom Systems (TSBU) is vital in supporting local telecom requirements for systems development, integration, manufacturing, repair and maintenance, telecom consultation services and other value added services.
In 2010 with the fusion of the IT in the Telecom Systems Business Unit, The ICT strategy is not only focused on the telecom sector but also on the Public Sector market. This is divided into four sub-sectors, namely, Security and Defense Sector, Education Sector, Health Care Sector and the Central Government and Semi- Government Sector.
AEC has partnered with international OEM’s to offer complete solutions covering ICT Infrastructure and enterprise application solutions such as VOIP, data centres, ERP, CRM, enterprise content management systems (ECMS), security, etc. “This line of business is expected to grow rapidly as AEC is strengthening its local presence in the ICT market by developing its operational arm internally and gaining market recognition and local references”, Mr. Shibil explains further.
AEC has made strides by embracing the most advanced tools in quality manufacturing and management (Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, Total Quality Management, Life Cycle management and Business Excellence). “These achievements are evident in the company results and we are convinced that a strong management approach has been beneficial to our growth in market share and revenues”, Dr Shibl concludes.
As an offset company, AEC was created to meet government objectives of diversifying the economy, creating job opportunities and transferring technology. These objectives have guided AEC management towards excellence, whilst supporting the wider needs of society. Although the charter of AEC is wide in scope within the electronics business, AEC aims to create values to all stakeholders with no exception.