"Proximity to markets and customers is critical to ensuring client alignment and fit-for-purpose products," said Art Soucy, vice president of supply chain for Baker Hughes. "Saudi Arabia and the Middle East are key markets for Baker Hughes, and after several years of successfully assembling drill bits in Saudi Arabia, we took the next logical step of manufacturing bits from raw materials. The investment underscores our commitment to diversify our manufacturing footprint to better serve our global client base."
Khaled Nouh, president of Middle East operations for Baker Hughes, said: "Baker Hughes has provided solutions to clients in the Middle East, and specifically Saudi Arabia, for over 70 years — dating back to the drilling of the famous first discovery well, Dammam No. 7. We have demonstrated our commitment to the Saudi market by opening our new integrated base last year and now the new drill bit manufacturing plant, which offers further employment opportunities for the Saudi work force. We welcome this opportunity to be part of Saudi Aramco's continued leadership in developing the oil and gas reserves of Saudi Arabia."
