Saudi AMANA, one of the region’s most innovative and influential design-build contractors, has consolidated its leadership in modular construction with the opening of a new factory in Rabigh. The factory is a response to the surging demand in the Kingdom for the off-site manufacturing technologies provided by its subsidiary company, DuBox, which have become vital to the successful project delivery of Saudi Arabia’s raft of ambitious hospitality and entertainment developments. DuBox has now shifted 85% of construction from its Saudi giga-project sites, such as Qiddiya and Red Sea Global’s tourism destinations, to its Rabigh factory.
First opening its doors for business in 1993, Saudi AMANA has been at the forefront of disrupting the construction sector for three decades, making it faster, safer, greener and smarter by leveraging technology and modular methodologies.
It has continually evolved and expanded over the years, establishing DuBox in 2010 and DuPod in 2020, allowing it to develop a whole portfolio of intelligent solutions and new technologies that have revolutionized the construction industry in the region. Through Saudi AMANA Manufacture, DuBox has delivered 130,000m2 of construction in the Kingdom since 2012 and, over the past three years alone, AMANA Manufacture has also completed in excess of 2,500 pods and designed over 50 units using DuBox and DuPod.
Nearly half of the talent employed at the Rabigh factory are Saudi nationals
Precision Engineered
Overall, modular construction reduces the need for manpower by up to 30%, with up to 85% of construction being able to be completed off-site in a factory, ensuring stricter quality standards in a controlled environment. Modular buildings can also be constructed within up to 50-70% of the time of a conventional project of comparable size, 50% lesser construction waste, and up to 70% improved work safety environment.
Hattan Ghazi Nazer, Vice President KSA at Group AMANA said: “AMANA has been a pioneer in adapting modular construction to solve complex challenges, streamline efficiencies and build greener. We are well-positioned to support the country’s Saudization efforts by sourcing materials locally and supporting talent development. We are humbled to be a part of the Kingdom’s marquee projects, deploying modular construction for positive socio-economic and environmental impact.”
The economies of scale realized in a factory environment drive significant cost savings in modular construction. DuBox develops, manufactures and assembles complete structures at its Rabigh facility, which spans 70,000m2. It can make 12 modules per day, and the factory has adequate production to assure repeatability, learning, consistency in quality, and volume savings on procurement.
Brings a Whole New Dimension to the World of Construction
The Rabigh factory not only ensures smoother logistics, ensuring modules reach project sites in record time, but it has also created opportunities to retain and develop Saudi talent. Saudi AMANA is deeply invested in reskilling and upskilling local talent, so as to facilitate the shift from traditional construction to a digitalized manufacturing environment.
DuBox, an AMANA company, has shifted 85% of construction from its Saudi sites to the new Rabigh factory
Group AMANA delivered a total of 50 projects from January to December 2022, and as projects across the region race to completion, modular construction has emerged as a viable solution. It offers a safer building environment, decreasing the need for manpower and making it an ideal solution for the post-pandemic environment. Modular construction also has far lower wastage rates than an open construction site. Moreover, the final products are easily relocatable, further enabling the client to shift and relocate in sync with market demands.
The founding of this factory is aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which prioritizes economic diversification and sustainability
Ian Williamson, Group Chief Projects Delivery Officer, Red Sea Global, explained: “We selected DuBox based on their innovation and proven track record in delivering pre-finished modular units to a very high standard of quality. These capabilities will allow us to provide the residents of our newly constructed town on the Red Sea coast with stand-out accommodation while maintaining our commitment to protecting the environment, even during the construction phase.”
