Dubai: Aramex, which is part of Arab International Logistics, has announced that it has bought Al Khazen Distribution, the only independent publication distribution company in Palestine.
The move to acquire Al Khazen is part of Aramex's plans to further boost its publication distribution capabilities in the region. With this acquisition, the leading total transportation solutions provider plans to energize, revamp and expand the distribution network of Al Khazen, which specializes in Arabic publications.
Commenting on the acquisition of Al Khazen, Osama Fattaleh, Aramex Vice-President for Near East and North Africa-Levant, said: "We are extremely pleased with this acquisition. This takeover should send a strong signal to the Palestinian market of Aramex's commitment to meet its customers' needs in this troubled region."
Aramex, which already operates in Palestine, has raised the number of point-of-sale outlets to 150 compared to the earlier 40. "In fact, we are planning to increase the outlets to 300. We also have expansion plans in Gaza," Fattaleh added.
Apart from increasing the number of publications, Aramex also aims to boost readership by adding daily Arabic newspapers, books and non-Arabic magazines, which will give it a wider reach in the market. In its enhanced role, Aramex now distributes over 150 publications compared to 70 that were being distributed by Al Khazen earlier, Mr. Fattaleh explained, adding that Aramex expects to expand the publications to more than 250 by year-end.
As part of its promotional programme, Aramex also has cut down the prices of magazines, especially kids' magazines by at least 20 per cent.
Al Khazen Distribution will operate under the Aramex brand, giving it an entirely new identity that communicates the remarkable transformation it has experienced since the acquisition. "The revamped look will be launched through a campaign and a change of signage at all the distribution outlets in Palestine," Fattaleh said.
Aramex's acquisition of Al Khazen Distribution comes within three years of its takeover of Jordan Distribution Agency (JDA), the 50-year-old privately owned company responsible for the distribution of over 4,000 publications in the Kingdom.
© The Peninsula 2005
