JEDDAH, 13 December 2006 -- A major Indian industrial group said yesterday that it had set its focus on the Saudi market for its growing demand for generator sets and air compressors.
With the ongoing construction boom in the Kingdom, the need for generator sets as standby equipment is set to grow phenomenally, especially in public buildings, hospitals and hotels, aside from for fire fighting and other purposes, Hashim Abdullah Hashim, deputy managing director of Abdullah Hashim Company Ltd. (AHCL) and Rahul C. Kirloskar, director-export of Pune-based Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd., told a press conference at the AHCL head office here yesterday.
"This market is our focus, as air compressors are required for the construction industry," Kirloskar said, adding that the Kingdom remains the largest market in the Middle East for the group. Kuwait, Qatar and Oman are among the Gulf states where it has been exporting its products. Iraq was on its export map until the war broke out.
The 120-year old group has an annual turnover of $1 billion with thousands of employees in its 16 plants across India. Diesel engines, pumps, compressors and hydraulic marine gearboxes are among its products that have demand both within and outside India. "In fact, we export 18 to 20 percent of our production outside India. And now we've an ambitious plan of exporting more than 20 percent of our production, as the Indian economy is doing well," said Kirloskar whose team included H.R. Mustikar, managing director of Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd., and Dubai-based Kirloskar Middle East FZE's Chief Operating Officer P.M. Damle and Sales Manager Mangesh Joshi.
The cooperation between the group and AHCL has strengthened in the last two years with more than 500 generator sets imported into the Kingdom "and they are working to the satisfaction of our customers," Hashim said. AHCL is providing the necessary after-sales support, spares, service and training, he said, adding that periodic visits by senior executives are increasing the Kirloskar brand awareness across the Kingdom.
"Our visit to Saudi Arabia is meant to give impetus to the process of consolidation of Kirloskar's presence in the Kingdom. We both are confident of increasing our market share in due course," Hashim said.
"Our business relations started in 2003 with the import of 29 units of generators of different capacities and we've imported more than 600 units till mid-2006. Our target is to sell more than 500 units per year starting form 2007," Aziz Urrab, general manager, machinery division, AHCL, said. "Moreover, both the groups are committed to widen the business area and launch new products."
By K.S. Ramkumar
© Arab News 2006
