Elevator Factory in Jeddah: Catering to Western Saudi Arabia's Construction Boom

Drive along the Corniche in Jeddah, and you'll notice something remarkable: cranes stretch into the sky like metal palm trees, construction crews work under the sun from dawn till dusk, and new high-rises seem to pop up overnight. This isn't just random growth—it's the result of Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 , a plan to diversify the economy and build world-class cities. Nowhere is this more evident than in Western Saudi Arabia, where Jeddah, the kingdom's second-largest city, is leading a construction boom that's reshaping skylines and creating demand for everything from skyscraper materials to the elevators that will carry people up those towers. At the heart of this transformation is Color ia , a global one-stop architectural solution provider with deep roots in the Middle East, and its new elevator factory in Jeddah—built to meet the region's hunger for reliable, high-quality building infrastructure.

To understand why an elevator factory in Jeddah matters, you first need to grasp the scale of Saudi Arabia's construction wave. Over the past five years, Western Saudi Arabia—encompassing Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, and the Red Sea coast—has become a hub of development. The numbers tell the story: according to the Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, the region saw over 12,000 new construction permits in 2024 alone, a 35% increase from 2020. These aren't just small projects; they're mega-developments like the Jeddah Central Project (a $20 billion waterfront city), the expansion of King Abdulaziz International Airport, and countless residential towers, shopping malls, and hotels to accommodate a growing population and booming tourism.

What's driving this? Vision 2030's focus on urbanization, tourism, and local job creation. By 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to increase its urban population to 80% (up from 75% today) and welcome 100 million annual tourists. Western cities like Jeddah are on the frontline of this goal. But here's the catch: building a skyscraper or a luxury hotel isn't just about concrete and steel. Every high-rise needs elevators that can handle extreme heat (Jeddah's summer temperatures often hit 45°C), sandstorms, and heavy usage. Every commercial complex needs reliable vertical transportation to keep visitors moving. And with projects on tight deadlines, developers can't afford delays from overseas suppliers. That's where Color ia's Jeddah elevator factory comes in.

Jeddah isn't just Saudi Arabia's gateway to the Red Sea—it's the logistics heart of the west. Located on the coast, it has easy access to ports for importing raw materials, and its proximity to major construction sites in Mecca (90 km away) and Medina (360 km) makes it the perfect base for serving the region. For Color ia, a saudi arabia building materials supplier with decades of experience in the Middle East, setting up an elevator factory here was a no-brainer. "We've been operating in Saudi Arabia since the 1990s, so we know the market inside out," says a senior executive at Color ia's Riyadh office. "Western Saudi Arabia's construction boom isn't temporary—it's a long-term shift. Building locally lets us cut delivery times from 12 weeks (if importing from Europe) to just 4 weeks. For developers racing to meet Vision 2030 deadlines, that's a game-changer."

But it's not just about speed. Jeddah's climate is tough on equipment. Elevators here need to withstand not just heat, but also high humidity and occasional sandstorms that can clog mechanical parts. Color ia's factory designs elevators specifically for these conditions: stainless steel components to resist corrosion, dust-proof control panels, and cooling systems for motor rooms. "A standard elevator from Europe might last 10 years here," explains an engineer at the Jeddah factory. "Ours? We guarantee 15 years with minimal maintenance. That's the difference between understanding the market and just selling products."

Here's the thing about construction projects: they're messy. Coordinating with multiple suppliers—one for elevators, another for windows, a third for flooring—can turn into a logistical nightmare. Missed deadlines, mismatched specifications, and communication gaps are common. But Color ia isn't just an elevator supplier. As a one-stop architectural solution provider , it offers everything from solar panels and wall materials to kitchen appliances and custom furniture. For developers, this means one point of contact, one contract, and one team ensuring all materials work together seamlessly.

Take, for example, a mid-rise residential building in Jeddah's Al Hamra district. The developer needs elevators, but also flooring, bathroom fixtures, and lighting. Instead of juggling five suppliers, they work with Color ia. The elevator team coordinates with the flooring team to ensure elevator thresholds align with floor levels. The lighting team shares specs with the elevator team to integrate emergency lights in lift lobbies. "It's like having a conductor for your construction orchestra," jokes a local developer who recently completed a project with Color ia. "No more finger-pointing when something goes wrong. Color ia takes responsibility for the whole performance."

Vision 2030 isn't just about buildings—it's about building sustainably. Saudi Arabia has pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2060, and green building standards are becoming mandatory for new projects. Enter Color ia's sustainable products line, including its eco-friendly elevators. These aren't your average lifts: they use regenerative drives that feed energy back into the building's grid when descending (saving up to 30% on electricity), LED lighting in cabs, and recyclable materials in construction.

"We recently supplied 12 elevators to a LEED Gold-certified office tower in Jeddah," says the factory's sustainability director. "Their goal was to cut energy use by 40%. Our elevators alone contributed 8% of that savings. For developers chasing green certifications, that's a huge selling point." And it's not just elevators: Color ia's Jeddah facility also produces solar panels and green wall materials, all under one roof. "A developer can walk into our office and say, 'I want a net-zero building,' and we can deliver every piece needed—from the elevator to the solar-powered windows," the director adds.

Vision 2030 isn't just about buildings—it's about people. The plan aims to create 450,000 new jobs in construction by 2030, with a focus on Saudization (local employment). Color ia's Jeddah factory is doing its part: 70% of its 200 employees are Saudi nationals, from engineers to assembly line workers. "We don't just hire locals—we train them," says the factory's HR manager. "Our apprenticeship program takes high school graduates and turns them into certified elevator technicians in 2 years. Many go on to lead teams or move into our design department."

For 28-year-old Abdullah, a Jeddah native, the factory has been life-changing. "I studied mechanical engineering but struggled to find a job in construction—most companies wanted 5+ years of experience," he says. "Color ia hired me as a trainee, sent me to Germany for 6 months to learn elevator design, and now I'm leading a team of 5. My salary has tripled in three years, and I'm helping build the city I grew up in. That's something to be proud of."

Western Saudi Arabia's construction boom shows no signs of slowing down. The Jeddah Central Project alone will require over 100 elevators, and new airports, hospitals, and universities are in the pipeline. Color ia is already expanding its Jeddah factory: a second production line will open in 2026, doubling elevator capacity from 200 units/year to 400. There are also plans to add a research and development center focused on smart elevators—think AI-powered predictive maintenance (detecting issues before they break) and touchless controls (hygienic for hospitals and schools).

"We're not just keeping up with the boom—we're helping drive it," says Color ia's CEO. "Saudi Arabia's future is being built today, and we're proud to be part of it. From Jeddah's skyline to the homes and offices where people live and work, Color ia is there—every step of the way."