WITH a record number of Haj and Umrah pilgrims visiting the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah, this year's Ramadan and Haj seasons saw unprecedented success that proved Saudi Arabia's unparalleled capabilities for the service of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims — the Guests of Allah. For some 5.8 million Umrah visas were issued, 5.5 million Umrah pilgrims arrived into the Kingdom, along with a total 1.8 million Haj pilgrims. Al Salem Johnson Controls "YORK" is proud of its leading role in providing prominent landmarks at the two Holy Cities with cooling and maintenance services. The company owns the world's largest cooling station at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, as well as a one of the world's largest cooling plants at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, and providing comprehensive maintenance services to the two Holy Mosques, in addition to Zamzam water-cooling station. It also plays a great role in cooling and providing maintenance services to some of the Two Holy Cities' prominent hotel chains that accommodate countless Umrah performers and pilgrims around the year, including the Clock Tower and Makkah Hilton, as well as cooling and maintaining Muzdalifah Hospital. The company's 1,200-workforce of qualified engineers and technicians is the Middle East's largest after sales and maintenance team, helping the company remain a major contributor to the success of the Haj and Umrah seasons, during which the company redoubles its efforts, resources and manpower to ensure speedy responses to any emergencies that might arise anywhere at any time. Quick, effective, and innovative solutions ensure that pilgrims can perform their rites safely in the comfort of a cool, breezy environment. During this year's Haj season, Al Salem Johnson Controls "YORK" maintenance and service teams saw all of their projects through with minimal delays, and lowest possible costs. The teams guaranteed an uninterrupted flow of a staggering 200,000 refrigeration tons in various HVAC&R service contracts in and around the mosque. Another achievement recorded was the operation of 1OM Centrifugal chiller in the New Ajyad Plant. "Al Salem Johnson Controls is proud to have a leading role in cooling, air conditioning, and maintaining the two Holy Mosques, Zamzam water cooling station, and other major locations year-round," said Dr. Mohannad Alshaikh, chief executive officer of Al Salem Johnson Controls. "We take great pride in being a key cooling and service provider to ensure the comfort and safety of the Holy Cities' visitors during Haj & Umrah seasons. Our technical team is the largest in the Middle East, and is more than capable of responding to emergencies in record time." With Jeddah being the gateway to the Holy Sites, the company's aftermarket team has been achieving phenomenal success over the past 6 years in serving the Haj Terminal with an excellent emergency action plan, whilst maintaining continuous operation of a 15,000TR chilled water plant, including a 12-megawatt back up power reserve for contingencies.
