Future In Focus

Saudi Arabian-based Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company plans on maximising its opportunities by being an integral part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company has a strong presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since its inception in 2006. The company’s CEO, Eng. Abdul Hadi Tariq Al-Qahtani, says: “Our group has faced about nine major global events that have impacted the bottomline, but we’ve always survived.” Wise management, a far-sighted vision coupled with partners’ support is the driving force behind the company’s longevity and successful continuity.

The past year was remarkable in more ways than one. It left a lasting imprint on businesses not only in the Kingdom but globally too. For the construction industry in Saudi Arabia, the demand for equipment reached a record low, but Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company managed to keep a steady flow of sales of some special equipment the demand for which remained constant - thanks to the wide and diverse product line that the company offers. However, stock levels had to be realigned and eventually became healthy and well maintained to cope with the changing demand as 2020 progressed. Customer service, though, remained top priority and was not affected in any way.

“Although the construction industry in Saudi Arabia has been booming with very substantial and sustainable growth, the pandemic changed a lot of equations. The industry shrank due to the suspension of many oil & gas mega projects,” says Al Qahtani. However, diversification has proved to be the way forward. The Kingdom now has a series of new diversified projects in a variety of sectors which will need to be addressed by the construction industry. Additionally, the equipment dealer has also paid greater attention to many services and maintenance projects. These projects have played a major role in keeping the demand for construction equipment at a relatively healthy level.

Eng. Abdul Hadi Tariq Al-Qahtani, CEO of Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company.

Hope for a better year is the only way forward and Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company is prepared to move ahead. “Increasing our market share, adding new partners to our existing portfolio of top global suppliers and sourcing new products is what we have on our agenda for the year,” says Al-Qahtani about 2021. The company has an ambitious plan to strengthen its participation, maximise its opportunities, and increase its market share by supplying equipment to new major projects throughout the regions in the Kingdom, especially those projects that are part of the Kingdom’s new Vision 2030. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 rests on three pillars that represent the country’s unique competitive advantages. Building on the country’s leading role as the heart of the Arab and Islamic worlds, there are countless new initiatives in progress. Simultaneously, the country is making use of its investment power to create a more diverse and sustainable economy. Lastly, the country’s strategic location is an integral driver of international trade and the connection to three continents: Africa, Asia and Europe. Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company’s alignment with the country’s vision is guaranteed to keep them completely occupied in the upcoming future.

LiuGong - the all rounder machine

Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company are the sole dealers and distributors of Chinese construction equipment machine manufacturer, LiuGong, in the Kingdom. “This year, we have supplied LiuGong equipment to multiple clients who are working in different sectors,” says Al Qahtani. These sectors include logistics, municipal works, oil & gas, rig moving, as well as road service and maintenance. In 2021, Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company intends to continue building on their strong presence in these sectors as well as construction projects that will serve the Kingdom’s diversification into recreational mega projects.

LiuGong machines have proved to be quite popular as they provide a wide range of products, have high performance levels, are easy to maintain and hence have a lower operating cost as compared to other machines. “Wheel loaders as well as forklifts have always been the biggest players in our scope of supply,” adds Al Qahtani.

LiuGong machines come with more than 60 years of experience and learning behind them. The brand was established in 1958, and the Saudi market has the latest LiuGong machines distributed by Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company. Committed to world-class quality and engineering, LiuGong machines utilise globally recognised systems and work with parts suppliers who are renowned for their reliability, such as Cummins and ZF.

With an intense emphasis on quality, LiuGong machines work on Six Sigma methodology and are ISO 9000 compliant. Conforming to these standards result in better quality of service, product and support for the end user. LiuGong is quickly filling the void of cost effective, good quality machines with strong after sales support. This is demonstrated by the growing number of LiuGong machines used across a broad range of industries in Saudi Arabia, markets such as civil construction, local government, grain handling, quarries and agriculture. LiuGong continually invests in research and development as part of their commitment to ensuring a high quality product at an affordable price.

LiuGong machines are sturdy, cost effective and used for a variety of industries and come with a robust service and support plan

After sales

For Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company, what goes hand-in-hand with representing a number of global construction machines in the Kingdom is a robust after sales service. Their investment in a state-of-the-art services workshop that addresses all the maintenance requirements of their clients, as well as a large fleet of mobile service vehicles that reach out to clients in remote areas.

Their parts department preserves large stocks of spare parts that covers all the customers’ needs from fast-moving items, service and overhauling kits, as well as emergency parts like complete components. “We have also our parts-online website that helps our customers to search for parts, check their orders, and monitor delivery,” adds Al Qahtani. The company’s rental department includes a wide variety of machines that are well maintained and backed up by qualified operators ready to serve their clients.

“We even have a used equipment department, or as we call it, Quality Used Equipment,” says Al Qahtani. This division offers machines that have been totally renovated into being as close to their original state using original parts. They are repainted to look as good as new machines and are the perfect solution for clients on a budget. The used machines also come backed with warranty by the company.

Al Qahtani Vehicle and Machinery Company maintains a complete parts and equipment warehouse.