01 April 2013

CATERPILLAR has opened a new parts distribution centre in Dubai to further strengthen aftermarket parts support in the Middle East and East Africa region.

The 500,000-sq-ft Middle East Distribution Center (MEDC) that employs 130 people was launched at a ceremony attended by dealers, customers, employees and executives of Caterpillar, a leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.

The facility will also serve as a regional office for employees from other Caterpillar service groups.

“We are very pleased to be adding the Middle East Distribution Center to our industry leading global parts network,” said Steve Larson, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for parts distribution and logistics, and president of Caterpillar Logistics Services.

“With the outstanding product support capability of Cat dealers in the region and the improved parts availability this operation will deliver, we will continue providing customers an unmatched level of after-sale support.”

The MEDC will increase total warehouse capacity for the  Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME) network, adding to existing distribution centres in Grimbergen, Belgium, Johannesburg, South Africa, and Moscow, Russia. “We are excited about our overall growth opportunities in the Middle East and Africa markets and, along with our dealers, are investing in expanding our facilities,” said Nigel Lewis, Caterpillar vice-president with responsibility for EAME distribution.

“The Middle East Distribution Center is the first of a number of investments we are making in the region that will allow us to improve parts and components availability and the delivery process to our dealers and customers.” 

The facility will also contribute to Caterpillar’s sustainable development goals by reducing airfreight for parts ordered in the region. “We are delighted to be a part of the opening of Caterpillar’s new parts distribution centre in Jafza (Jebel Ali Free Zone). Caterpillar’s expansion underlines the company’s vision and commitment to the region. We are sure the new facility will enable them to further strengthen Caterpillar’s strong presence in the region,” said Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb, chief commercial officer of Economic Zones World and Jafza.

The MEDC is an important part of Caterpillar’s overall plan to enhance the global Cat parts distribution network and get parts to dealers and customers faster. MEDC joins a distribution network that includes centres in Shanghai, Moscow, Texas, Ohio, California and Washington opened in the past eight years. In addition, new centres are under construction in Queensland, Australia, and San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

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