Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, has announced its workforce in Saudi Arabia has grown by 33 percent bringing the total headcount to around 1,000.

Nearly 30 percent of the new recruits are Saudi nationals.

Reiterating Saudi Arabia’s role as the key growth engine for Schneider Electric in the Africa and Middle East region, the company reaffirmed its investment and expansion plans for the country.

The announcements follow Saudi Arabia’s robust contribution to Schneider Electric’s performance during Q1 2013 that saw the nation accounting for approximately 60 percent of GCC sales and 30 percent of Middle East sales.

Christophe Campagne, country president, Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia, said: “2012 was a strong year for us as we grew our opportunities pipeline and made positive progress with ongoing projects.”

He was addressing a media briefing during the Riyadh leg of Schneider Electric’s ‘Xperience Efficiency’, a three city exhibition showcasing the company’s wide-ranging portfolio of integrated solutions and applications.

Campagne added: “As an organic progression, we dramatically increased our headcount by 236. This included the integration of a significant number of Saudi nationals into our team, which is a clear manifestation of our sincere commitment to Saudization.”

Campagne said: “Towards this end, we will differentiate ourselves from competition and leverage our vast network of offices, manufacturing plants and sales offices in the dynamic and rapidly developing Saudi marketplace.”

Campagne spotlighted the integral wins in Saudi Arabia that have set the tone for a bright outlook for Schneider Electric for 2013 and beyond.

These include the ambitious Information Technology and Communication Complex (ITCC) in Riyadh, one of Schneider Electric’s largest and most important on-going projects; King Khalid University (KKU) in Abha which requires Schneider Electric to deploy a fully integrated Building Automation System; Maaden Aluminium Refinery Project, and the Old Airport Road Extension Project — Riyadh, a first for transportation and tunnels in Saudi Arabia.

As part of the media briefing, Campagne also highlighted the company’s recent success at the MEED Quality Awards for Projects.

‘Xperience Efficiency’, which started in Alkhobar on May 13, will conclude in Jeddah on Monday.