Brother Gulf Set to Boost Regional Investments

DUBAI - Brother International Gulf (BIG), a subsidiary of Brother Group of Japan, on Monday said it would be expanding operations and boosting investments in the region in spite of difficult market conditions.

By Issac John

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Published: Wed 11 Feb 2009, 12:30 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 9:34 PM

Announcing the regional expansion plan, Tetsuo Watanabe, President, Brother International Corporation, Japan, said the company, a manufacturer of printing, communication and digital imaging products, was on track to reach its sales target of 25 per cent growth in fiscal 2008-9, and planned to increase investments in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iran, where “there is considerable potential for its new products.” He did not disclose the size of the new investments.

Watanabe also ruled out any move to lay off staff as the Japan-based group was able to maintain its $5 billion global sales of 2007-8 during the current fiscal. “Given the general market conditions showing a contraction of 25 per cent in the third quarter, and another 25 per cent in the fourth quarter 2008, BIG is targeting a sales growth of 15 per cent for the next fiscal,” he said.

“By 2012, BIG expects to achieve 100 per cent growth in sales in the region,” he said. BIG achieved 195 per cent growth in the colour Laser Multifunction Centre (MFC) segment in the UAE from January to September 2008.

He said BIG recently unveiled 11 new MFCs in the UAE — nine for the home and SOHO, and two for the SMB segment —in line with its aim to further strengthen its current range of product offerings for the region.

Terry Koike, President, Brother Industries Limited, Japan, on a Gulf visit, said BIG would be managing a major part of the organisation’s African operations from April this year. “The move will strengthen BIG clout as a regional control centre that directs more than 30 nations within the Middle East and Africa.”

Watanabe said BIG had been experiencing consumer response in Dubai and the Middle East for decades. “We are committed to continue our sustainable growth within this region and are now focused on expanding and strengthening our business throughout the entire region, especially in Dubai, one of our key markets. Our growth in this emirate has fuelled our phenomenal growth in the UAE.”

Ranjit Gurkar, general manager, BIG, said Brother’s UAE operations posted a 26 per cent growth in Mono Laser MFC category for Q1 to Q3 2008, recording an increase in market share. “In the Colour Laser MFC segment, which in itself has grown by 30 per cent and where the company has seen its biggest growth rate, Brother has recorded a market share of 8.8 per cent.”

“The right combination of several factors have added up and resulted in our steady growth in the region, such as our significant investments into proprietary technology that enables us to come up with breakthrough products. In addition, we take pride in our network of competent and motivated channel partners, who are always eager to introduce our innovative products and solutions to the rest of the region. We are seeking to leverage our present standing to remain a formidable player in the regional MFC market, and reach the goals we have set for this year,” said Shinji Tada, Managing Director, BIG.

issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com


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