LEADING Chinese equipment manufacturer Zoomlion, which will be participating in The Big 5 PMV through its local representative in Dubai, has recently appointed Al Kobaisi Group as its sole agent in Bahrain.

Speaking about the appointment, Al Kobaisi Group’s managing director Abdulla Essa Al Kobaisi says: “We are proud to be representing Zoomlion, which is the second largest company of its kind in China.”
Zoomlion produces various types of high-quality machinery for concrete mixing and pumping, hoisting, earthmoving, road paving and fire-fighting, as well as mobile cranes and material handling equipment, and special vehicles.
Al Kobaisi anticipates great demand for Zoomlion products in Bahrain, having already sold more than 10 mixer trucks and four concrete pumps, “which speaks volumes about the demand for Zoomlion products”, he says.
Al Kobaisi says that Zoomlion machinery will have a positive impact on the construction sector of the country and have an edge over the equipment from competitors in terms of quality and price.
Al Kobaisi Group, which has a showroom in Sitra where Zoomlion equipment is put on display, offers a financing scheme to potential clients as well.
As a testimony of its confidence in the Chinese giant’s products, Al Kobaisi uses Zoomlion equipment on its projects such as Sukoon Tower, where the company’s concrete pump is being used. Zoomlion equipment is also being employed on a number of other projects in Bahrain.
Zoomlion, which was set up in 1992, has its main markets on all continents, with about more than 30 per cent of its revenue coming from overseas.
Apart from local expansion, the company has also spread its wings across international borders. Last year it merged with Italy’s Compagnia Italiana Forme Acciaio Spa (Cifa) in alliance with some other investors. Cifa, headquartered in Milan, ranks third in the global concrete machinery market. After the acquisition, Zoomlion became the largest concrete machinery maker in the global market.
The deal is expected to give Zoomlion a foothold in foreign markets and boost its overseas sales by combining Cifa’s international brands, global sales and distribution network.

Shaanxi
Al Kobaisi is also the sole distributor of another renowned Chinese truck manufacturing company, Shaanxi Automobile Group Company, which produces the Shacman heavy-duty trucks. The trucks with a strong chassis use the technology of the highly-acclaimed MAN F2000 and TG-A series from the German MAN company. The company signed the strategic cooperation agreement with MAN in 2003. Shacman trucks have been exported to more than 30 countries over the world.
The advantages of Shacman trucks include a one-year warranty and around-the-clock after-sales services, says Al Kobaisi.
Shaanxi Automobile Group is one of the largest heavy-duty automobile manufacturers in China, annually rolling out about 80,000 units. It has obtained the China Compulsory Certification (3C), GJB9001A-2001 national military standard quality system as well as being certified with the ISO9001 quality system in 2000.
Established in 1972, the Al Kobaisi Group is headquartered in the Sitra Industrial Area with other branches located in the Hidd Industrial Area, West Eker, Bahrain International Airport, Government Avenue, Juffair and Sanabis.
The group has many divisions that cater to the construction sector, which include Al Kobaisi Aluminium and Glass, Al Kobaisi Readymix, Al Kobaisi Precast Factory, Al Kobaisi Block Factory, Al Kobaisi Construction and Maintenance, Al Kobaisi Sand and Aggregate, Al Kobaisi Electrical Contracting, Al Kobaisi Building System, and Al Kobaisi Security Services.
Some of its ongoing projects include the 47-storey Sukoon Tower, the 36-storey Fontana Tower, 27-storey Lari Tower, 26-storey Ejaz Tower, 26-storey DCR Tower, a 22-storey tower and a 26-storey building – all in Juffair, the 35-storey Dream Tower One and 11 in Sanabis, a 20-storey tower in Busaiteen, a 15-villa compound in Hamala, Shaikh Isa Sports City, among other projects.
Al Kobaisi is set to start work shortly on the 22-storey Future Bank headquarters in Seef, the 25-storey Bokhowa Tower in Sanabis, a shopping mall in Saar, a 54-villa compound in Jasra, a 14-villa compound in Busaiteen, the 47-storey Orchid Tower and a 35-storey tower, both in Juffair and the Survey Directorate headquarters.