American Augers expects its GCC sales to rise in 2015, following the delivery of a 20-tonne DD-110 horizontal directional drill to UAE-based SAARI Drilling Services in 2014.
The US-headquartered drilling equipment manufacturer anticipates that previously delayed metro-construction projects will also serve to drive business in the region.
The news comes following the announcement that the firm will debut the latest DD-110 at INTERMAT Paris 2015.
“We’ve re-engineered and redesigned our best-selling rig, the DD-110, and this model will be premiered at INTERMAT Paris 2015,” revealed Kelly Foos, marketing manager at American Augers.
“This will be the only model on display at our outdoor booth. It is already our most popular rig and we’ve made it even better,” she told PMV.
The latest DD-110 model will be available in Tier 3 and Tier 4 options, and boasts 49 tonnes of push-pull power. The unit has been upgraded to feature radial-axle motors. The rig has also been modified to allow end users to choose between one- and two-joystick operation.
Speaking at PRE-INTERMAT 2015, American Augers’ international sales manager, Zach Schultz, told PMV that the manufacturer has sold several units to the UAE and Saudi Arabia during recent years. Whilst he conceded that the firm’s products are not the cheapest on the market, he explained that the drills’ longevity has done much to convince GCC end users to invest in the brand.
“The useful life of our equipment is significantly longer than that of our competitors,” said Schultz.
“The salvage value is also higher. So yes, we do charge a premium, but educated GCC consumers are able to recognise the long-term benefits that our kit offers.
“In fact, American Augers is often its own competitor. We have customers with 18- and 20-year-old machines who just continue to refurbish them. It then becomes a matter of convincing them to upgrade,” he added.
For a comprehensive preview of INTERMAT Paris 2015, including full coverage of the American Augers interview, check out the April 2015 issue of PMV Middle East.
