CIFA intends to bring the first carbon-fibre concrete pump to the GCC.
The Italian concrete machinery manufacturer told PMV that it would introduce its K60H Carbotech model to the region in conjunction with its authorised dealer, FAMCO.
Although the exact date has not yet been finalised, Wajih Eit, CIFA’s vice head in the Middle East, expects the launch to take place either in late-2015 or early-2016.
“We will conduct a special event for the K60H in conjunction with FAMCO,” he revealed.
“Due to its light weight, it will become the only concrete pump in the Middle East that can be mounted on an 8×4 truck. This event could be held at the end of this year or the beginning of the next,” he added.
At present, the GCC’s relaxed weight regulations do not necessitate carbon-fibre concrete pumps, but Eit is confident that this situation will change in the future.
“I think that even before regulations are introduced in the region, contractors looking to future-proof themselves are going to buy CIFA’s Carbotech models,” he explained. “Also, there are high-profile companies operating in the Middle East that care significantly about their brand images. Purchasing products that they cannot find elsewhere on the market will help them to remain at the top of the region’s concrete sector.”
Whilst Eit conceded that the K60H is unlikely to break any sales records in the Middle East market, he pointed out that the model would appeal to readymix companies working on the region’s most prestigious projects.
“The K60H is never going to be the best-selling concrete pump in the Middle East because of the technology it employs,” he said.
“Nevertheless, we have a number of high-profile customers: Saudi Arabia’s Al Tawi and the UAE’s Al Fara’a, and many others. They have visited CIFA and they have seen our carbon-fibre pumps. In turn, the K60H will be marketed specifically at these key-account customers.
“CIFA’s Carbotech models are ideal for the region’s biggest projects: Riyadh Metro, Jeddah Metro, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, etc. These are the types of project that our key customers are undertaking, and they need sophisticated products to match,” Eit concluded.
