Merseyside-based composite hose manufacturer, Dantec, has doubled sales in the Middle East over the last 12 months, rising to £270,000.
Dantec’s hoses are used to transfer petrol, oil products, chemicals and liquefied gases and the company is working with Dubai-based distributor Flexiflo Corp to target clients in the region.
Dantec, which supplied refuelling hoses to Formula One for 15 years, sees the Middle East as a key target market with its hotbed of oil, gas and petrochemical activity.
Managing director John Laidlaw cited Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and UAE as key players for growth in the region, with Dantec exporting to the region from its factory in Liverpool.
Mr Laidlaw noted that the company’s relationship with regional distributor Flexiflo Corp enables it to aim the product at specific projects, firms and market sectors and sees huge potential for growth in the coming years driven by increased activity.”
He says that sales to the Gulf States are being driven by a move towards safe, quality, long- lasting products. “The Middle East market is currently dominated by weak product,” he said. “However the market is rapidly maturing and demanding quality.”
It now hopes to expand the business into new areas of the market. Laidlaw said that the firm is predominantly active in the ship to shore sector of fuel and chemical transfer, but sees huge potential for its fire safe petrol tanker loading hoses, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
“Tanker loading hoses are an essential part of the fuel supply chain,” he said. “Saudi Arabia is a new market for this type of hose and after having worked with BP in the UK for 14 years on its entire tanker fleet without failure, we hope to take advantage of this burgeoning market.”
