JEDDAH, 10 May — Saudi Arabia’s road transport sector, which maintained its spectacular growth over the past several years, is set for rapid expansion. Industry leaders indicated this at a meeting held to mark the 25th anniversary of Zahid Heanor Express & Heavy Transport Co. at Old Makkah Road here on Wednesday night.
They said the Kingdom’s development plans envisaged rapid expansion of this sector in the coming years. A large number of invitees from the transport trade were present at the event.
Talal Yusuf Zahid, chairman of the Zahid group of companies, and J.P. Searson, chairman of the UK-based Heanor Haulage Ltd., cut a cake to mark the anniversary. Emphasizing his firm’s many years of association with Heanor, Talal Zahid said the two companies would further strengthen their relationship to maintain the company’s growth in the future.
Waleed Talal Zahid, assistant general manager of the company, said the silver jubilee was a milestone in the company’s relations with Heanor Haulage. “We’ll be aiming at further developing and deepening our relations with our UK partner,” he said. He indicated Zahid Heanor had plans and projects to enhance the company’s capability both in terms of fleet and technology in a bid to serve the Kingdom and the region even better. “After all, the partnership between the two companies have proved to be a creative and productive one not only for us but also for hundreds of users of our services across the region,” he added.
Company General Manager Prakash S. Mani said it was an occasion that demanded a realistic introspection for future growth. “We, on our part, are readying ourselves for a future role by focusing on the best use of human resources and pressing into service the best in equipment. We’ve now embarked on a course whereby we would ready ourselves for dealing with the future challenges. We’re committed to upgrade our capabilities and potentials further,” he said.
He referred to the company’s checkered growth, “from a small establishment 25 years ago to a leading player in the transport sector now.”
Pearson, speaking to Arab News after the ceremony, said he first visited the Kingdom in 1976 and had since been coming here four to five times a year. The two companies had excellent understanding and relations, he said. “I joined Heanor Haulage that was established by my father and uncle in the 1970s, he said, adding that European road network was getting more tough with a huge rise in vehicle population.
Khaled Wajhi, general manager, central parts sales, Abdul Latif Jameel Co., said ALJ had been getting Zahid Heanor’s “efficient and prompt” services over the years.
Tasawar H. Choudhry, national sales manager of the company, welcomed the guests and conducted the proceedings.
