In a strategic move aimed at fortifying its operational resilience and sustainability, Emirates Steel Arkan (ESA), a prominent UAE-based manufacturer of steel and building materials, has embarked on a transformative journey by partnering with global technology powerhouse SAP SE (NYSE: SAP). This partnership signifies ESA’s commitment to future-proofing its operations, leveraging streamlined processes, and enhancing its supply chain sustainability through cutting-edge technologies.

The agreement between ESA and SAP entails the adoption of RISE with SAP, a comprehensive cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution. This transition will enable ESA to seamlessly migrate its critical processes from its existing SAP ERP system to SAP S/4HANA, with data hosted locally. By consolidating its operations under a unified platform, ESA anticipates gaining enhanced visibility and control over its operations, facilitated by real-time data insights.

Saeed Khalfan Alghafri, CEO of Emirates Steel, emphasized the strategic importance of this collaboration, stating, “We have collaborated closely with SAP to ensure a comprehensive transformation that aligns with our objectives. These include bolstering environmental sustainability, creating a resilient supply chain, and embracing innovation. The deployment of SAP’s solutions will not only streamline our processes but also empower us with real-time insights to seize opportunities and address evolving needs.”

Recognizing the challenges faced by supply chains worldwide, ESA is keen on ensuring the resilience and sustainability of its supply chain. By embracing cloud computing and SAP Digital Supply Chain Management, ESA aims to adopt an integrated supply chain model that predicts disruptions, enhances business performance, and mitigates logistical risks sustainably.

Marwan Zeineddine, Managing Director of SAP UAE, highlighted the collaborative effort behind this transformative initiative, stating, “We worked hand-in-hand with the Emirates Steel Arkan team to create a secure, agile, and comprehensive digital transformation. This includes a supply chain management system prioritizing reliability and sustainability alongside cost, margin, and speed. By adopting RISE with SAP, ESA will benefit from automatic upgrades and our focus on embedding technologies such as sustainability analytics, AI, and generative AI into our solutions.”

This partnership between ESA and SAP signifies a significant step towards fortifying operational efficiency and sustainability in the manufacturing sector of the UAE. By leveraging state-of-the-art technologies and innovative solutions, ESA aims to position itself as a leader in the industry, setting new standards for efficiency, sustainability, and resilience.