Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia and Red Wing, Minn. (October 2nd , 2017) –
Red Wing Shoe Company and Tamimi Commercial announce a shared business vision to realize in-country workwear manufacturing. The two companies signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) committing to the IKTVA program in an effort to achieve Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative.
IKTVA is a multifaceted strategic imperative originally developed by national petroleum and national gas company Saudi Aramco meant to help strengthen and diversify the Saudi economy through the localization of key manufacturing and service industries within the Kingdom, and the creation of thousands of new jobs for talented young Saudi citizens. Red Wing and Tamimi Commercial share this desire, and state in the MOU their intent to train and develop local talent through the continued creation of valued manufacturing careers that nurture a strong business infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
“We have a deep-rooted relationship with Tamimi Commercial that has only become stronger over the last five decades,†said Mark Urdahl, president and CEO of Red Wing Shoe Company. “This MOU demonstrates our continued pledge to not only deepen our partnership with Tamimi Commercial but also aid Saudi Arabia and its vision to foster future economic prosperity.â€Â
Currently, Red Wing and Tamimi Commercial are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the their successful and growth-oriented partnership. Together, the companies provide a full head-to-toe PPE offering to industrial workers including protective footwear, flame resistant workwear, safety glasses, gloves, as well as other PPE accessories that meet or exceed industry safety standards. As the distributor of Red Wing’s extensive portfolio of safety solutions, Tamimi Commercial offers customers a second-to-none service level backed by significant industrial expertise to help keep work crews safe and productive.
“The strategic partnership during the last 50 years and the success we have reached today is a result of hard work,†said Fahad Al Tamimi, chairman of Tamimi Commercial. “We have faced many changes, and the efforts from both partners have developed into a success story. Our aim is to work together to move this partnership to its next stage to be aligned with Kingdom Vision 2030.â€Â
Red Wing and Tamimi Commercial have launched a feasibility study to determine the best course of action for their in-country workwear manufacturing business venture. The companies are looking forward to the next 50 years and beyond of the close, cooperative partnership.
About Tamimi Group and Tamimi Commercial
Tamimi Group was founded in 1953, and consists of over 40 well-known and established Saudi companies. The headquarters is in the city of Dammam in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, with regional offices in all major cities of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council. More than 18,000 employees work across the divisions of Tamimi Group.
Tamimi Commercial (TCCM) is the Tamimi Group’s trading arm, and one of Saudi Arabia’s oldest and largest importer/distributors. TCCM has a presence across the Kingdom with offices and warehouses in Al Khobar, Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah, Qassim, Madinah, Tabuk, Khami and Yanbu.
About Red Wing Shoe Company
The Red Wing Shoe Company, Inc. is a global leader in the design, production and distribution of work, safety and lifestyle footwear and work apparel. Established in 1905 in Red Wing, Minn., today the privately-held company’s family of brands includes Red Wing®, the premium choice for purpose-built work footwear, workwear and accessories including a collection of Heritage styles created for any occasion; Irish Setter®, the footwear brand of choice for hunters and workers who want uncompromising quality and technological innovation; Vasque®, a pioneer of performance hiking footwear; WORX™, a trusted brand for the industrial safety footwear market; and S.B. Foot Tanning Company, one of the largest U.S. producers of fine tanned leather for footwear and leather goods. Its brands are distributed to more than 110 countries in an immersive multi-channel environment of 500+ Red Wing retail stores, third-party partners, and owned ecommerce platforms. The Red Wing Shoe Company employs more than 2,000 employees worldwide today, and operates two U.S. manufacturing facilities in Red Wing and Potosi, Mo. For more information, please visit redwingshoes.com, facebook.com/RedWingShoes or follow @RedWingShoes.
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CONTACT:
Luke Gillespie, Kohnstamm Communications
+1 651 228 9141
Abdullah Alshuaibi, Tamimi Commercial
+966 56 555 7788
