Industry, Logistics & Shipping

Al Futtaim unveils smart lifestyle advisor Blue AI

Leading UAE business conglomerate Al Futtaim has announced the launch of Blue AI, a groundbreaking feature within the Blue Rewards app that empowers customers to interact with all their favourite brands in new and dynamic ways. 
 
The feature will reach more than five million Blue Rewards customers in the first year. 
 
The announcement was made at Al-Futtaim's AI Summit, showcasing the group's ongoing focus on integrating cutting edge technologies to improve customer experiences.
 
The first AI platform of its kind in the Middle East, Blue AI developed by Al Futtaim is a smart lifestyle advisor and customer engagement platform that offers seamless guidance and tailored insights across the Blue ecosystem of products and services, setting a new standard in personalised customer engagement.
 
Blue AI offers several core features designed to enhance the customer journey; users can browse fashion essentials tailored to their unique tastes, get instant access to beauty products with expert guidance, enjoy automated product recommendations, access test drive bookings at their fingertips and also seamlessly integrates a streamlined one-click multi-brand checkout experience that simplifies shopping like never before. 
 
Designed with customers at its core, this innovative platform enriches the user journey by offering experiences uniquely suited to every individual’s preference.
 
Moza Al Futtaim, Chief AI Officer at Al-Futtaim, said: "At Al-Futtaim, we are dedicated to driving innovation across our ecosystem, inspiring meaningful change and making everyday life better. That’s why we are so excited to introduce Blue AI, created to enrich the customer journey and enhance their experience."
 
"AI has emerged as a powerful tool for personalisation, and we are harnessing it to better understand what truly matters to our customers. Blue AI helps us turn deep insights into meaningful actions, making every minute on the app smarter, smoother, and more in tune with your needs," he noted. 
 
"The launch of Blue AI goes beyond technology – it’s about using innovation to spark genuine connections and transform the way we serve each individual user," he stated.
 
According to him, the launch of Blue AI aligns with the UAE’s overarching vision to become a global leader in innovation, where advanced technologies such as AI are harnessed to enhance everyday life. 
 
It also comes as part of Al-Futtaim's broader commitment to adopting data-driven technology in the quest to enhance customer experience and provide diverse avenues to navigate the digital shopping landscape, he added.
 
Himanshu Shrivastava, Group Chief Technology Officer at Al Futtaim, said: "Human centred approach is at the heart of how we design our platforms, and Blue AI exemplifies our dedication to continuous innovation in the retail space."
 
"With this new feature, we are transforming how customers shop, learning from their preferences while elevating the experience to new levels. By fostering deeper connections between customers and the brands and products they love, Blue AI delivers a faster, more intuitive, and ultimately more enjoyable shopping journey," he added.
 
Blue AI is initially launching in the UAE, before expanding to eight markets across the region in its first year, bringing its groundbreaking capabilities to an even broader audience. 
 
This launch underscores Al-Futtaim's dedication to customer-centric innovation, empowering individuals to make smarter, more convenient choices through tailored, intuitive solutions.-TradeArabia News Service

Industry, Logistics & Shipping

SEC to start work on key 380kV substation, OHTL projects

Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has announced that it has received bids from leading utility majors for the construction of a 380kV substation at Mawqaq in the central region of Saudi Arabia along with other overhead transmission line (OHTL) projects. 
 
The substation - Mawqaq PV 380kV BSP - is being set up as part of upcoming Renewable Energy Projects across Saudi Arabia, said SEC in a statement.
 
For the project, Trading & Development Partnership (TDP) has emerged as the lowest bidder with a value of SAR592 million ($158 million), it stated. 
 
Besides the 380kV substation, SEC is also implementing Overhead Transmission line (OHTL) projects.
 
For the 380kV OHTL project from Mawqaq PV 380kV BSP to exisitng network, Alfanar Projects got selected for its lowest bid of SAR159.3 million ($42.3 million).
 
The awarding of the above projects will be subject to successful evaluation of bidders proposals, said SEC in its statement.
 
At present, Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has already issued RFP for the sixth round of renewable energy projects under the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) which is led and supervised by the Ministry of Energy. 
 
The combined capacity of sixth round of renewable energy projects is 4,500 MW, it added.-TradeArabia News Service

Industry, Logistics & Shipping

JAS Middle East opens new regional HQ at Dubai South

JAS Middle East, a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, has announced the opening of its new regional headquarters at Dubai South, the mega urban master development focusing on aviation, logistics, and real estate.
 
Designed to set new benchmarks in sustainability, efficiency, and technological innovation, the the 19,170-sq-m Build-to-Suit facility marks a major milestone in JAS' regional expansion.
 
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Edoardo Napoli, Consul General of the Republic of Italy in Dubai, Biagio Bruni, Founder & Chairman of JAS Worldwide, Mohsen Ahmad, CEO of the Logistics District, Dubai South, Erwin Wittemaier, the Area VP of JAS Middle East, as well as other senior executives from both entities.
 
This ESG-compliant warehouse is tailored to meet specific logistics needs, reinforcing the company’s commitment to growth and excellence while enhancing its ability to serve the entire Middle East market, said JAS in a statement.
 
The facility will include racked and bulk storage, three temperature-controlled chambers, and 12 loading bays with dock levellers and roller shutter doors. Standing over 14m at its apex, it will adhere to the latest firefighting regulations, it stated. 
 
The office space will span two floors. Additionally, solar panels will be installed on the roof of the facility to offset utility costs and allow the property to achieve ESG credentials, it added.
 
Ahmad said: "We are proud to see the Logistics District flourishing with global industry leaders such as JAS, recognising the strategic advantages we offer to support their growth and expansion."
 
"With its cutting-edge design and ESG-compliant infrastructure, this facility enhances Dubai South's role in shaping the future of aviation and logistics in the region," he noted.
 
Bruni said this facility is a testament to the group's focus on innovation, sustainability and excellent service. 
 
"We are proud to strengthen our presence in this dynamic region and look forward to continuing to support our customers with tailored and innovative logistics solutions," he stated.
 
Representing the pinnacle of logistical innovation encapsulated within a premier infrastructure network, Dubai South’s Logistics District offers premier services and operations as well as uninterrupted access to Jebel Ali Port via a bonded logistics corridor. 
 
The district comprises multiple zones, which have direct access to the cargo terminals at Al Maktoum International Airport; EZDubai, a fully dedicated e-commerce free zone; and a Contract Logistics Zone, it added.-TradeArabia News Service