Al-Futtaim Motors shares industry insights at SME Connects

Organized by Entourage Marketing and Event, SME Connects takes place at the XVA gallery in DIFC. Its main area of interest is providing a focused networking platform for SME owners and companies offering support services to the industry, and those looking to set up small start-up companies in the country.

"Having a presence at such an event is very much in line with the dedicated focus that Al-Futtaim Motors has been lately committing to the SME sector. SME customers make up an integral part of our client portfolio and we have noticed the level of attention this segment has been gaining lately from the government and the banks equally. We consider SME to be the fastest growing segment within our client range, which is why we have developed a more proactive strategy allocating a more dedicated and attentive service", said Len Hunt, President Al-Futtaim Automotive.

Al-Futtaim Motors Toyota has been partnering with leading Islamic and conventional banks to offer competitive finance solutions. Additionally, the dealership developed tactical schemes that soon turned into long-term campaigns due to the unprecedented success they received.

Elaborating further, he added, "Our fleet business has been doing very well in the UAE with major deals being sealed on a yearly basis with major corporations. We then decided to replicate our approach in that segment into our SME department, not in exactly the same way, but with more dedicated services, personalized attention, and understanding of the challenges faced by our SME customers' businesses. This method proved to be a successful one and resulted in us exceeding our sales targets both on the fleet and SME fronts.

Since the inception of the new SME program, Al-Futtaim Motors registered a year on year increase in SME sales resulting in achieving 104% of the set target.

"We anticipate the second quarter of 2012 as well as the rest of the year to be equally successful and we have several new solutions in the pipeline. We are happy to announce the offering of a bouquet of additional complete finance and insurance solutions, fleet buy back solutions, pre-owned programs and turn key products catering to various industries, such as schooling, catering and transportation for people with special needs, to name a few" Hunt added.

Mohammed Tayem, CEO of SME Connects said, "At SME Connects we welcome forward thinking organizations that inspire and inform us about the best practices in the industry. Toyota fits the role perfectly, and we look forward to working together to benefit from this fast growing SME group."

SME Connects is an exchange forum that brings government authorities, manufacturing, trade and service industry professionals under one roof, acting as key support group that is dedicated to bolstering SME opportunities across all sectors of the economy.