Lianhe Sowell to Set Up $132.5 Million Robotics Facility in the UAE
The move positions the UAE as a strategic hub for the company’s global operations, given the country’s location between Asia, Europe, and Africa.
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[Image source: Chetan Jha/MITSMR Middle East]
Chinese industrial automation and robotics company Lianhe Sowell International Group Ltd. has reached a non-binding agreement worth $105 million with Excellent Capital Investments (ECI), a European infrastructure investment fund, to develop its first robot manufacturing and research centre in the United Arab Emirates.
The planned facility represents a total investment of $132.5 million. Lianhe Sowell will hold a 20 percent stake as a cornerstone investor, while ECI is expected to provide the remaining 80 percent through structured senior secured credit support.
The project aims to build a fully integrated operation that combines research, development, production, sales, and export functions. Once operational, the plant is expected to produce thousands of intelligent robots each year, designed for use in automotive production, construction, aviation, rail transport, marine industries, and renewable energy projects.
Construction is projected to take about 18 months, after which the company hopes to begin manufacturing operations. The project is also expected to create over 2,000 skilled jobs in the UAE, supporting the country’s ongoing efforts to expand its industrial and technology sectors.
In addition to the factory, Lianhe Sowell plans to open a robotics training and certification centre to help build local expertise and support the wider adoption of automation technologies in the region.
Company officials said the UAE initiative marks a significant milestone in Lianhe Sowell’s international growth plans. The move positions the UAE as a strategic hub for the company’s global operations, given the country’s location between Asia, Europe, and Africa, and its push to become a leader in advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies.
“The UAE project reflects our long-term commitment to advancing intelligent manufacturing and deepening collaboration across international markets,” the company stated.
Lianhe Sowell, which specialises in industrial robotics, machine vision, and smart automation systems, has been expanding its global presence as part of a broader strategy to integrate AI-enabled production tools into traditional industries.
However, the firm noted that the agreement remains non-binding, and final progress will depend on due diligence, documentation, and regulatory approvals. If the deal proceeds as expected, the facility could be completed and begin operations by 2027.
The project, once confirmed, would mark a major step forward for both Lianhe Sowell and the UAE’s ambitions to become a regional leader in high-tech manufacturing and robotics innovation.
