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Komatsu Middle East opens new facility in Jebel Ali

Dubai - Komatsu is one of the world's leading manufacturers construction and mining equipment and industrial machinery

Tetsuji Ohashi, former president and CEO of Komatsu Ltd; Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and managing director of DP World UAE; and Dr Akima Umezawa, consul-general of Japan in Dubai; inaugurated the new state-of-the-art facility of Komatsu Middle East FZE in the presence of other dignitaries from all over Komatsu distributor's network in Africa and the Middle East.
Komatsu is one of the world's leading manufacturers of construction and mining equipment and industrial machinery. The 46,298-sqm facility will serve as a firm base from the Middle East's largest special economic zone extend and strengthen Komatsu solid contribution to the development of MEA countries.
"Since Komatsu existed in the Middle East market 55 years ago, we had the pride of contributing to the development of MEA countries; we have harnessed a century of experience to provide our customers with machines that can cater for the tough working conditions in this area.
"We in Komatsu consider our customers as the most important stakeholders for the businesses of Komatsu Group. We shall devote ourselves to provide our customers with relevant information according to their needs and requirements, to seriously listen to their perceptions and to provide them with the most effective solutions by striving to deliver products, services and systems that are safe, environment-conscious, innovative and of superior quality," Tetsuji Ohashi declared.
"The new facility would serve to extended unparalleled product support for distributors and customers. It will include new features such as being the first ever Komatsu property in Middle East with a dedicated training and demonstration facility that will be used to mainly contribute to the 'In country Value Programs' of GCC countries as part of Komatsu commitment to the global CSR," Ohashi continued.
"It will also serve to train our stakeholders from across the MEA region and, thereby improving machine utilisation efficiency and helping customers to reduce their total cost of ownership and maximise their profit."
This facility will feature a Safety Dojo, VR Simulators, machine and component's hands on training bays and 550sqm VIP lounge and viewing deck for the company to demonstrate their machinery at work, and an 8,200sqm demonstration area, said Satoru Kobayashi, general manager of Komatsu Dubai Training & Demonstration Centre (KDTDC) of Komatsu Middle East.
While appreciating, DP World & Jafza, 3Sixty Consultant, and McLaren Construction for their outstanding effort to complete this facility within one year with no compromise to safety, quality and in accordance to Komatsu standards and requirements, Yoshihisa Hayashi, managing director of Komatsu Middle East FZE, added that "utilising the new regional parts distribution centre, we have increased our storage capacity in the new warehouse, thereby, providing better availability and faster delivery to our network of distributors usually on the same day to second day delivery according to order's cut-off time".
Going forward, Hayashi sees bright outlook for the construction and heavy equipment industry on the back of strong government support as well as development of some mega projects in the country and in the region.
The increasing of residential and commercial construction activities, growing of mega and strategic projects as well as investments in oil and gas sectors is expected to boost the heavy equipment market, said, Ashraf A. Hashish, senior general manager Marketing of Komatsu Middle East.
According to experts, GCC's urban construction sector is estimated at $1 trillion, offering a massive opportunity for developers and construction firms in the region. Moreover, Dh50 billion-stimulus package announced by Abu Dhabi will also give fillip to the UAE's energy, real estate, construction and hospitality sectors. In spite of the current climate, the construction industry remains optimistic. Government authorities in the MEA region have been making efforts and creating positive changes within the market to improve the construction sector, infrastructure, life style and attract foreign investment.
Mohammed Al Muallem of DP World, UAE Region, delivered a speech and said: "We congratulate the Komatsu team on the successful completion of their new facility. Komatsu has been a valuable partner to DP World for over 20 years, and we are ready to provide them with the support they need to grow their business in the future. Our continued relationship is proof of Jafza's value for large companies created through customer focus and our business-friendly environment that helps encourage development."
Komatsu is one of the largest manufacturers of construction and mining equipment, utilities, forest machineries and industrial machinery globally. The company started its activity in Middle East in 1964 and setup its liaison office in Dubai in 1977, and then moved to Jebel Ali Free Zone  in 1997. Later in 1999, Komatsu Middle East FZE was established in Jafza. 
Japan is Jafza's 10th largest trading partner, and the UAE's sixth largest. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached a total value of Dh102.8 billion in 2017, with non-oil trade growing by 8.4 per cent over the same period.
- business@khaleejtimes.com