In 2024, over 62% of GCC manufacturers admitted they still rely on disconnected systems and manual reporting.
That means billions of dollars’ worth of decisions are being made every day, without visibility into the full picture.
And yet, the region’s potential is massive.
According to McKinsey, AI and data-led innovation could unlock USD 35 billion in annual value for GCC industries by 2026.
So, what separates those who’ll capture that value from those who’ll miss it?
It’s simple…
Data has become the new raw material.
From Machines to Meaning
For decades, GCC manufacturers measured success by scale, larger plants, heavier output, and faster exports.
But in 2025, the race changed.
The winning factories aren’t adding more machines; they’re teaching the ones they have to think.
The shift is quiet but undeniable:
Energy firms are predicting maintenance before breakdowns.
Steel exporters track RFQs in real-time.
Construction suppliers forecast demand weeks ahead with precision.
The next competitive edge won’t come from capacity; it’ll come from connectivity.
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Lessons From the Frontline
When a Saudi-based metal fabricator integrated its CRM, ERP, and production dashboards into one connected system, the impact was immediate:
Quote turnaround dropped from days to hours.
Production forecasting accuracy rose by 35%.
Weekly meetings shifted from guesswork to live, data-driven decisions.
They didn’t need a new plant; they needed a clearer view of their own operations.
3 Ways to Build a Data-First Factory
Audit the Flow: Trace how data moves between teams - and where it stops moving.
Unify Your Systems: Link sales, production, and logistics into one dashboard for real-time tracking.
Empower With Insight: Replace reports with live analytics. Let teams act on information, rather than waiting for it.
Factories that follow these steps don’t just improve performance; they multiply intelligence across every department.
Ready to Find Your Data Advantage?
Disconnected data isn’t a glitch - it’s a growth blocker.
Claim your Free Digital Readiness Audit, a 15-minute session to evaluate how your sales, production, and data systems can unlock measurable, AI-driven growth.