JEDDAH – As the Saudi economy continues to grow with robust expansion in both the construction and industrial sectors, Yanmar Co. Ltd., one of the leading Japanese diesel engine, generators & pump manufacturers in the world, forecast sustained growth market for its products in the Kingdom. In an event held recently at Park Hayatt Hotel in Jeddah to mark the 50-year partnership of the company with Abdullah Hashim Co. Ltd. (AHCL) as the sole distributor of Yanmar products in Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Abdullah Hashim, Managing Director of AHCL group, said the “demand (for Yanmar products) will continue as Yanmar regularly comes up with nice ideas and (is) always ahead” of the competitors). Presiding over the event, the Managing Director of AHCL group, underlined the “very successful” alliance of the two companies, saying that AHCL is known by Yanmar & vice versa in Saudi Arabia. These strong 50-years of partnership wouldn't have been possible without the great support and excellent quality of Yanmar products where thousands of machinery were sold in the past 2 decades and are still operational with customers.” Yanmar products are deemed essential and dependable support components in the construction and infrastructure developments due to their “durability, quality, toughness, portability, efficiency and lower noise level,” the Yanmar executive delegation asserted. The 6-member delegation from Yanmar, Japan was headed by Go Matsumoto, Group Divisional Manager, accompanied by division managers Mitsutaka Yamasaki, Yoshitaka Harumoto, Hirofumi Morimoto, manager Kazuhiko Yanagida, and manager Sidath Weerakoon of the Power Products division based at the group headquarters in Tokyo. The function also marked the launch of Yanmar's new product lineup of YL Series tower lights. Matsumoto said Yanmar's Power Product Division is considered as the third pillar of the Yanmar Group after Agriculture Machinery & Marine engines, respectively. Reaffirming the strong bonds between AHCL and Yanmar group, a member of the delegation, when asked about the impact of the ongoing geopolitical crisis, said their partnership and the demand for their products “will survive the crisis,” adding that the dire straits being felt in some areas of the region are “not an obstacle.. and have no effect” in the furtherance of the business. As a wholesaler, Yanmar is a solution provider that can connect everywhere “where people need us,” he pointed out, adding that Yanmar “is ready to meet the demand…and requirements of customers” in any which way it can. Matsumoto underlined that AHCL has all the qualities to make this happen with excellent sales and marketing team backed with strong and experienced after-sales support. On the issue of Saudization, Yanmar has also a plan to train young Saudis to learn and acquire the necessary technical skills, but no yet in the foreseeable future. As most services for Yanmar products are done on sites, a delegation member said doing so “is not an easy job. It requires long years of experience and technical knowledge.” Morimoto lauded the ideal relationship between Yanmar & AHCL over the past 50-years and regarded AHCL to be one of the best dealers of Yanmar in the world and the epicenter of the Middle East market. Azizurrab, General Manager of Machinery Division of AHCL, thanked Yanmar team and all the guests who were all part of the successful “Yanmar Dealers Convention” event. He said, since 2003 Yanmar & AHCL growth was always on the upward trend. In 2014, AHCL sold more than 3,000 units of Yanmar power products which included generators, pumps and welders with a similar expectation of around 15-20 percent growth this year. Moreover, he said the newly launched Yanmar Tower Light is of the best quality in its class coupled with special safety features, durability, simple to use and easy maintenance. With the Yanmar-AHCL partnership stronger than ever, Yanmar will continue to draw on its leading engineering skills and technologies to provide the best and effective sustainable solutions to problems faced by customers in Saudi Arabia. — SG
