Eng. Ahmed Mostafa, Member of Executive Board & Head of Equipment Sector
The Arab Contractors
Founded in 1955 by the visionary Engineer Osman Ahmed Osman, The Arab Contractors is one of the leading construction companies in the Middle East and Africa.Originally known as "The Engineering Company," the company’s journey to success began with the execution of several vital projects, including the High Dam project in Egypt. Today, with around 70,000-strong workforce and over 22 international branches, the company works in all fields of contracting, land reclamation, and general engineering.
Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with Engineer Ahmed Mostafa Ahmed Eid, Member of the Company’s Executive Board & Head of Equipment Sector and Engineer Tayel Abd-Elmoneim Tayel, Equipment Department Manager at The Arab Contractors. They provided insights into the company’s history and contributions, discussing the importance of the partnership with Komatsu, & its role in achieving continuous success.
Eng. Ahmed Mostafa
The Arab Contractors, a Driving Force in Egypt's Infrastructure Development
The Arab Contractors' success has long been intertwined with the developments across Egypt's thriving construction industry. According to Engineer Ahmed, Egypt has seen a considerable rise in building activity over the past decade, especially in the New Administrative Capital and various ports along the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. “The Decent Life Presidential Initiative has also contributed to this growth,” he adds, “with the mega projects set to shape the nation's projects plan for the decades to come.”
He stresses that The Arab Contractors has been involved in many of these developmental projects across Egypt which are, according to him, attracting growing investment, laying the foundation for sustained socioeconomic advancement and expanding the developmental prospects for Egypt's future.
The Arab Contractors’ Strategic Investment in Machinery for Optimal Performance
For a company as successful and renowned as The Arab Contractors, undertaking large projects is essential to fully showcase its capabilities. However, keeping pace with the volume of construction and the scale of their work can be a real challenge, one that requires an equipment fleet consistently operating at peak performance. Engineer Ahmed emphasizes that the company always prioritizes ensuring its machinery is up to the task.
He highlights, “We consistently invest in expanding and upgrading our equipment fleet with high-performance machinery. Coupled with our 24/7 service availability, we have both the human capabilities and the advanced equipment necessary to implement giant projects at any location, anywhere.”
The Winning Formula for Machinery Selection
Equipment for The Arab Contractors is a common and main denominator in the success of projects. Engineer Tayel Abd Elmoneim Tayel shares with us the company’s priorities when selecting machinery for their projects.
“We have a fleet of approximately 10,000 pieces of equipment both heavy and light, in addition to Hauling equipment, which is a very large portion, including also heavy earthmoving equipment.” he elaborates. Despite the diversity, the company adheres to four key criteria when choosing which machines to invest in.
“Higher productivity, longer lifespan, easier maintenance, and reliable after-sales service - these are the principles that ensure our equipment consistently meets the demands of our large-scale projects”. Downtime simply isn't an option for a contractor of The Arab Contractors' scale.
Whereas productivity and lifespan rely on the quality of the machine, the company carefully evaluates the machinery provider’s technical support for the two other factors.
“The machinery provider must be able to offer strong after-sales service and prompt spare parts availability”. Even with the company's highly skilled in-house maintenance teams, Engineer Tayel stresses, "Critical spares must be readily accessible whenever needed.” This allows smooth operations regardless of unforeseen issues or demands from massive job sites.
The Arab Contractors Longstanding Partnership With Komatsu and Egyptian International Motors
Engineer Tayel, when asked about The Arab Contractors' collaboration with Komatsu and Egyptian International Motors (EIM), highlighted the longstanding nature of their relationship. The partnership has been in place since the inception of both companies in the Egyptian market. Notably, The Arab Contractors has consistently relied on Komatsu's equipment from the nineties, which has proven to be highly efficient and reliable.
Several key factors differentiate Komatsu from other suppliers making them the preferred choice for The Arab Contractors. “First and foremost, Komatsu's exceptional technical support has played a key role in the success of this collaboration,” he stresses, “Additionally, the reliable after-sales service provided by EIM, along with their prompt response time, has been instrumental in ensuring uninterrupted operations for us”.
The expertise of The Arab Contractors' workforce, coupled with Komatsu's equipment, has enabled them to extend the lifespan of their machinery, resulting in successful maintenance and operation for over 30 years.
The Arab Contractors has successfully completed countless projects with the invaluable contribution of Komatsu equipment. Engineer Ahmed highlights that, when it comes to specific equipment needs, the first choice for The Arab Contractors is often Komatsu without hesitation.
“When it comes to heavy equipment, from bulldozers and rigid dump trucks and excavators to motor graders, wheel loaders, and everything in between, Komatsu is always the go-to option and the most preferred choice”
According to Engineer Tayel, Komatsu stands out for its exceptional qualities including ease of use, ease of maintenance, and cost-effectiveness. These factors hold significant importance for The Arab Contractors, as they strive for optimal work performance while ensuring economic viability. They expect their equipment to deliver high performance consistently; this maximum functionality is the fruitful return anticipated from their investment in machinery.
From Machinery Selection to After-Sale Support: The Arab Contractors' Journey with Komatsu and EIM
The customer experience holds great influence over the success and longevity of business relationships. As a customer of Komatsu and its distributor, Egyptian International Motors (EIM), Engineer Tayel outlines The Arab Contractors’ journey from the equipment selection stage to after-sales.
He explains that the process begins as equipment requirements emerge from their local or overseas branches. An initial specification is created and submitted to the leading EIM, which then provides machinery that meets these requirements.
Beyond meeting immediate needs, Komatsu excels in fulfilling even the company's aspirational requests. Engineer Tayel explains, “Among the Egyptian companies, we recently took the lead in introducing the GD755 globally, a new model for Komatsu motor graders. It is a powerful piece of equipment known for its ease of use, which is highly beneficial given our global operations.”
Productivity Gains and Operational Cost Savings Realized in Alliance with Komatsu
Two main factors typically drive higher productivity for any contractor: high uptime and efficient equipment performance. When combined with operational cost savings, these elements create a clear path to profitability.
According to Engineer Tayel, Komatsu machinery typically excels in these areas, offering exceptional strength, extended lifespan, ease of use, and minimal breakdown periods. “Thanks to Komatsu, we are able to complete our projects on time with the desired quality while benefiting from significant economies of scale,” he highlights.“The value that Komatsu offers to the contracting sector is reflected in our performance and success”
However, the partnership between Komatsu and The Arab Contractors not only yields significant benefits but also builds a collaborative environment based on strong relationships, reflecting the shared commitment to achieving success together. Similar to Komtsu’s promise of “Creating Value Together,” Engineer Tayel explains, "We at The Arab Contractors achieve success together with our agents and partner companies.”
"We highly recommend Komatsu to any company involved in earth-moving operations. It truly stands out above all other alternatives”
