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There is a dire need to organize the automotive market in general and the bearings segment in particular, said an industry expert. Nishant Vora, director of Gulf Worldwide Distribution FZE, Dubai, was speaking at a seminar hosted by Abdullah Hashim Co. Ltd. in Jeddah. Azizurrab, general manager, Abdullah Hashim’s Machinery Division I, agreed with Vora’s assessment. “Yes, the bearings sector in the Kingdom is not yet organized. It should be streamlined because people need to be sure if they are buying the right product and from the right source,” he said. The automotive industry in Saudi Arabia is one of the largest consumers of bearings. The market for all types of bearings is worth nearly SR200 million annually. According to Vora, one of the problems the market faces is that of spurious, fake products. “There is a big demand for high-quality products, and customers are ready to pay for high-quality products. However, there are so many fake parts going around that getting real good products is a challenge,” he said. Vora described it is as a serious problem. “There is a need to create awareness and to educate the customers,” Vora said. “Fake products contribute to accidents and affect the life of a vehicle.” He said Saudi Arabia is a competitive market. “Everybody is trying to gain maximum advantage,” he said. “We want people to understand that when one pays a top price, he should get what he is paid for. He should get the right return on his money.” One of the primary objectives of the seminar is to educate the customer, he said. “The second most important point is that there are only single players offering single brands. Customers want a one-stop shop. They want a complete solution, supply of the best products coming from one place. We have IKO, ZWZ, DPI, KSM, all of these manufacturers account for more than 20,000 items, all of which can be obtained from one platform, one company — Abdullah Hashim,” said Vora. Vora said that one can never underestimate the need for efficient, transparent and credible delivery channel with a high level of service. He revealed plans to hold similar seminars in other cities, including Riyadh and Dammam from next year. He said Gulf Worldwide Distribution FZE, in Jebel Ali, the UAE, provides the logistics and distribution support to Abdullah Hashim, and added that there is need for a higher level of services, with clear, transparent channel. Azizurrab said the objective of the gathering was to bring together all manufacturers from China, Japan and India, and organize the business of bearing in coming years so as to provide the people with quality bearings at a reasonable price. Abdullah Hashim, he said, is a big platform. “It is one of the oldest companies in the Kingdom, meeting most of the market needs.” FAG HCS71916C.T.P4S.UL| FAG HCS71913E.T.P4S.UL | FAG HCS71914C.T.P4S.UL | FAG HCS71912E.T.P4S.UL | FAG HCS71911E.T.P4S.UL | FAG HCS7010C.T.P4S.UL | FAG HCS71906E.T.P4S.UL | FAG HCS7008C.T.P4S.UL | FAG HCS71906C.T.P4S.UL | FAG HCS71905E.T.P4S.UL |
