OKI printing solutions announces significant growth in UAE and Saudi markets

Compared to the first quarter of 2004, OKI's market share in Q1 2005 grew from zero to 7.4% in Saudi Arabia and more than doubled from 1.1% to 2.8% in the UAE. The growth is attributed to a number of significant enterprise wins for OKI in the two countries, including Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, ADGAS, Dubai Ports & Customs, Ettihad Airlines, Emirates Airlines, SABIC, Saudi Airlines and King Abdul Aziz University Hospital.

"There is a noticeably growing trend in the region where organizations, large and small, are starting to move away from monochrome printing solutions to colour laser printers which was clearly reflected in our sales figures for both the UAE and Saudi Arabia. OKI's colour printers meet the specific needs of businesses that want to use colour for their on-house printing needs but have previously only been able to by compromising on cost, quality or speed," said John Ross, Middle East General Manager, OKI Printing Solutions.

Earlier this month, OKI Printing Solutions announced that it would be expanding its presence in the region through the establishment of its Middle East headquarters at the Dubai Airport Free Zone. The move is in line with OKI's increased investment in the region to drive sales and marketing support for its channel partners across the GCC, Levant and North African countries and launch a whole new range of printing solutions that will bring new choice to the Middle East printing market.

"Our resounding success in the Saudi market is greatly attributed to the appointment of Al Shoaibi Group last year as OKI's master distributor for the Kingdom as a result of the increasing demand for OKI's award-winning colour printers from several major organizations in both the enterprise and SMB segments. This decision has had an enormous impact on the availability of OKI products in the Kingdom and allowed us to take a major leap in our presence in the market," added Ross.

The centre of OKI Printing Solutions' regional distribution network is its logistics warehouse in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, with the exception of Saudi Arabia where product stock is managed through Al Shoaibi's warehouses. Both facilities aim to improve the availability of stock for OKI's distributors, ensuring that customers can always find their products in stock at any given time.

OKI Data Corporation (a wholly owned subsidiary of OKI Electric Co., Ltd) unveiled its new global identity in May, OKI Printing Solutions, as part of its continuing drive to be recognised as a major challenger brand in the colour non-impact printer market worldwide. The new name reflects OKI Printing Solutions' focus on empowering businesses and their staff to maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of their printed communications, by providing flexible, easy to use printing solutions.