At the beginning of 2014, Karl Fakhoury, Montabert’s district attachments manager, told PMV that despite his optimism for the future, the Middle East’s equipment peripherals market could be described as “immature” within a global context.
Less than a year later, Fakhoury’s optimism remains intact, yet he happily concedes that the market has enjoyed somewhat of a growth spurt.
Infrastructure-related spending in Saudi Arabia, and preparations for Expo 2020 in Dubai, have helped to boost business within the attachments sector. Projects linked to the 2022 FIFA World Cup are also driving demand.
“Qatari contractors are using Montabert hydraulic breakers to help with a number of major Doha-based initiatives, including the New Port Project (NPP), Doha Metro, and a huge road build to the north of the city,” says Fakhoury.
Montabert’s Qatari distributor, Nasser Bin Khaled, has played a vital role in driving growth, and it is not alone. Fakhoury points out that the efforts of the firm’s partners across the region have enabled business to develop.
“Channel partners such as Saudi Diesel in the Kingdom, and FAMCO in the UAE, have helped Montabert to significantly strengthen its regional presence,” he explains.
And progress isn’t confined to existing markets. Montabert has also expanded during the past year.
“We had been largely absent from Turkey for a number of years, but since 2013, Erkom has done an excellent job as our representative,” says Fakhoury.
Indeed, the firm will continue to use its local partnerships to bolster customer service levels.
“End users really seem to appreciate the close working relationships that Montabert enjoys with its distributors,” Fakhoury explains.
“We’ve received a lot of positive feedback, not only about the quality of our products, but also in relation to the aftersales support that we provide in conjunction with our regional channel partners,” he concludes.
