Mohammed Mohaisen, president and CEO of Honeywell Middle East and North Africa, talks to The Energy Year about the first years of the company’s manufacturing facility in Kuwait and the importance of digitalisation. Honeywell is a software-industrial company that blends physical products with software solutions to help companies improve performance, enhance safety and security and maximise profitability.
How important are digitalisation programmes with Kuwaiti companies for Honeywell?
We have many programmes with Kuwaiti companies to drive digital transformation across the board. KPC has designed a clear digitalisation strategy and we’ve been happy to have been a part of that. We’re going to continue to support them in this transformation. It’s a journey; it’s not automatic. The technology exists, but companies need to adapt their processes, build their people and capabilities around new technology and change their culture as well.
Digitalisation is the top priority for us. Cybersecurity training and capacity building are also very important.
What growth do you expect to see in the local energy industry in 2023?
Large upcoming projects such as the Al Zour petrochemical complex are very exciting. Everyone is waiting for that. There are many infrastructure upgrades that are happening within KOC and also within KNPC. We have huge maintenance and service contracts. You need to keep these assets operational, and this is a huge operation on its own. I think 2023 will be the start of a new investment cycle, which is what we all hope, particularly regarding the upstream, KOC’s drilling drive and the different upstream projects.
How important is investing in training for the company?
We have provided over 2,000 hours of training over the last year. Training can be a part of projects or ad hoc based on requests. With training we’re importantly trying to build local capabilities.
Moreover, we’re trying to get recent Kuwaiti graduates and those with junior experience to come into the private sector. The government supports this with their current incentive structure, which is fine. But I think you need to try to attract talents and give them the motivation to grow within the private sector and stay within the private sector. This, I think, is critical for the economy in the long term.
How did the Covid-19 pandemic impact Honeywell’s operations in Kuwait?
The pandemic presented many operational challenges. The good thing is we have been present in Kuwait now for over 50 years, and we have our people in the country. We have our manufacturing facility in the country. We have expertise here. It was very easy for us to continue to support our key customers and their companies and finish projects.
Throughout the lockdown, we worked on the Clean Fuel Project, which was successfully accomplished and commissioned. We are also working on the Al Zour Refinery, which is very close to being commercially running. For both projects, we have been the main automation provider.
What is your growth strategy for the country?
We are always looking at how we can bring in the latest trends and technologies into the country. We have our latest innovations in the fields of sustainability, cybersecurity and digitalisation. These are key areas in which we’re working with our key partners here to try to drive them moving forward. The main focus now for many of our customers in Kuwait is to finish their projects, but they need the expertise to operate these systems, and to do so efficiently. Therefore, capacity building and digitalisation are critical. Of course, cybersecurity above all has been – not only in Kuwait, but I think globally – a key focus for everyone, with the increase in cyberattacks and security concerns.
Marc Sitaram, operations manager at Bandera Oil Tools, talks to The Energy Year about the company’s strategic approach to oilfield… Read More
Curtis Boodoo, assistant professor of utilities and sustainable engineering at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), talks to The… Read More
François Tack, general manager of Newrest Angola, talks to The Energy Year about how the company’s portfolio of clients evolved… Read More
Hassan Choudhry, CFO of Umm al Hayman for Wastewater Treatment Company (UAH), talks to The Energy Year about the key… Read More
Jacinto Sabino Mutemba, chairman and CEO of Belutécnica, talks to The Energy Year about the company's expanded production capabilities and… Read More
Carlos Firme, CEO of Fortaleza Seguros, talks to The Energy Year about the role the company wants to play in… Read More
This website uses cookies.