A partnership with UAE-based construction equipment distributor Ahmed Ramadhan Juma (ARJ) has helped Japanese light construction equipment manufacturer Mikasa Sangyo increase sales by 745 per cent in the first nine months of 2007 compared to the corresponding period last year.

ARJ laid the foundations for this major growth through the hugely successful Middle East launch of Mikasa's Walk-behind Pedestrian Duplex Roller Compactor (MRH-700), which has accounted for 50 per cent of this year's sales to date, said an ARF official.

More than 100 Mikasa Roller Compactor's have been delivered to the UAE in the last 12 months.  The machine is used to compact sand and asphalt, and it has found a receptive market in the Gulf region where there are more than 2,100 existing and planned projects currently valued at $1.2 trillion.

ARJ is now predicting more regional sales growth for Mikasa light construction equipment helped by an appearance at the Big 5 PMV, the new construction industry event which has already attracted 207 exhibitors from 23 countries for its debut in Dubai next month.

'For the nine months to September 30 the number of Mikasa light construction machines sold increased from 115 to 972 units,' said sales manager at ARJ Vipin Tak. 'We expect the same sales trend to continue as a result of new product launches at the Big 5 PMV and intense sales activity in Abu Dhabi.'

Organised by Streamline Marketing Group in conjunction with dmg World Media, the Big 5 PMV provides an ideal platform for ARJ to introduce Mikasa products to major construction companies busily involved in the regional industry boom.

Of special interest to key buyers from across the region and overseas will be Mikasa's FX series High Frequency Poker Vibrator Needle which increases the strength and life of concrete by removing excess water and air bubbles during mixing.

'By bringing manufacturers face to face with engineers, contractors and consultants, we expect the show to generate sales worth many millions of dollars,' said director of Streamline Marketing Group Nick Webb.

Established in 1937, Mikasa which has ISO 9001 certification, exports light construction machinery to more than 90 countries and is well established in Japan, America and Europe.  Their product range includes plate compactors, cycle poker needle shafts, floor saws and concrete cutters.

ARJ is the sole distributor for Mikasa in the UAE and Oman and sells its products from 16 showrooms in the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. - TradeArabia News Service