Engineering beyond limits: How MEPEQ is reshaping automation in the Middle East

From a passion for engineering to the founding of MEPEQ, Tony Meghabghab shares how people-centered innovation is reshaping automation and digital transformation in the Middle East

In a market where industry evolves rapidly and needs are constantly changing, MEPEQ stands out for its clear vision: bridging the gap between large, rigid suppliers and small, under-structured companies. We speak with Tony, the company’s founder, who shares a model that combines technical expertise, human development, and long-term vision.

Mr. Meghabghab, with over 25 years of experience in industrial engineering and automation, what inspired you to found MEPEQ, and how does your approach differ from traditional engineering firms?

Early in my career, I noticed a real gap. Turnkey suppliers deliver large projects and disappear. Later, when customers need upgrades or automation, they have few options. That’s where I saw an opportunity: customers still needed a high-level, tailored service and MEPEQ was created to fill that gap, offering professional execution with the right mix of scale, agility, and engineering depth.

 

Where did you start with MEPEQ, and how has the company expanded over the years?

We started in Saudi Arabia, where I’ve spent my entire career. The country has experienced steady industrial growth since the 1990s, and that’s where we found our momentum. Today, we have offices in Riyadh, Baghdad, Cairo, and Dubai, and our manufacturing facility is located in Tbilisi, Georgia— enabling us to serve both regional and international markets.

Let’s talk about a key concept in your philosophy: human-machine synergy. How does MEPEQ apply it, and how does it benefit the business?

People are at the core of every transformation. When we implement automation, we engage with operators, understand their potential, and train them. This way, automation becomes a tool for growth—an opportunity, not a threat. Instead of performing exhausting, repetitive tasks, they start operating the technology. It gives them a sense of purpose, pride, and personal development. At the same time, the company benefits from greater efficiency, consistency, and productivity. This drives profitability and enables reinvestment and long-term value creation.

Let’s move to Industry 4.0. What challenges do manufacturers face in embracing digital transformation, and how does MEPEQ support them?

At MEPEQ, we believe that Digitalization is not an option; it is an obligation for future survival for all industries. The main issue today is the multi-party required to achieve digitalisation. Whether from the strategy perspective, the change management perspective, the software provider, or the technology provider and the like, we make sure to educate our clients on the process and the must-have requirements for the project’s success and guide them through the journey.

Do you think the Saudi market is ready to embrace the path of digitalization?

The government is pushing digitalization, but factories still need a mindset shift. Some managers focus only on short-term benefits. We see progress, but it’s gradual.

MEPEQ places strong emphasis on continuous learning and team empowerment. How does that culture translate into the quality of your solutions?

MEPEQ quality deliverables are achieved thanks to a unified team culture and clear objectives. The very high rate of returning customers is strong evidence of our success in this regard. To maintain this standard, MEPEQ ensures that its team stays up to date with the latest technologies and receives training to apply the right solutions to the relevant challenges, while considering the full scope of departments and people involved in each project.

How important are customer relationships to you, especially with international clients?

Extremely important. We’re still human, even in a professional context. We work in regions we understand, culturally and linguistically. That’s what builds trust and long-term partnerships.

MEPEQ’s evolution highlights a broader industrial transformation—where lasting relationships, cultural awareness, and continuous learning matter as much as innovation itself. As Tony Meghabghab reminds us, transformation begins not only with machines, but with people empowered to lead the change.