Al Nubla opts for Volvo Trucks

Al Nubla votes for Volvo trucks

Abu Dhabi’s Al Nubla General Contracting Company is among the first recipient of the new Volvo trucks consignment. With this delivery, Volvo trucks are making much headway in Abu Dhabi.

Al Nubla General Contracting Company has received five units of the new Volvo FH460 6x4 Tractor units from the Swedish truck manufacturer’s UAE distributor Al Futtain Auto & Machinery Company (FAMCO).

Al Nubla International General Trading Company and Al Nubla International General Transport are sister associate firms of Al Nubla General Contracting Company (NGT).

The Abu Dhabi based and 1995-established NGT conglomerate is engaged in diversified businesses and its corporate activities include but are not limited to excavation and mining, aggregate, cement, road Base, sub-base, sand, gatch, chemical, blocks, plywood, and building materials trading.

In this exclusive interview with Global Supply Chain, Mohamad Fares, General Manager, Al Nubla International General Trading, spoke glowingly about his company’s procurement of the new vehicles and the corporate relationship with FAMCO. “We at Al Nubla Group believe in turning the market trends and challenges into opportunities and investing into long term business relationship,” he affirmed in this interview. The following is the transcript of that conversation. Global Supply Chain (GSC): What are the challenges and priorities you face as an operation? Mohamad Fares (MF): As in any business, there are some key challenges facing our operations.

Firstly, cost control is the main challenge and priority and at the same time there are factors like fuel cost and toll tax that cannot be controlled. In recent times fuel prices have gone up which has in turn affected costs. Furthermore, toll taxes added a significant amount to the total cost as it comprises 30% of the total operational costs.

We are also committed to enhancing our customer service. In recent times, the markets are dynamic, supply chains have become longer and more complex, and customer expectations have changed, both in terms of delivery times and service quality. Now customers also expect their logistics partners to provide innovative costeffective solutions. GSC: How have your fleet operations changed over the last decade? MF: Fleet operations have changed considerably over the last decade. New technologies have been introduced and higher customer expectations and demands have resulted in cost-efficient solutions. Additionally, fleet management tools and

Mohamad Fares (fifth right) receiving the symbolic key from Vladimir Knezevic (fifth left).

software have been introduced to make the operations streamlined. GSC: Specifically how do you maximize uptime in your fleet? MF: Maximizing uptime in the fleet is becoming more important with rising parts and labour costs.

Partnering with Volvo Trucks–FAMCO has been an advantage to Al Nubla. FAMCO has provided us with unique fleet innovative solutions as well as total Procurement Management Programme advantages and comprehensive after-sales services. It has also enabled us to effectively manage and implement our assets while maximizing reduction of downtime and to ensure reduced risk of any unforeseen emergency expenses. GSC: Looking ahead, what changes in the market will affect your operation and how do you plan to remain one of the sector’s leading? MF: The truck fleet industry is undergoing continually evolving and rapid challenges. Therefore this requires innovative solutions to counter problems and few logistics solutions providers can cope with the challenges that require cost effective and innovative solutions both to provide long term and customized services.

Utilization of telematics and the

The key features in the new Volvo trucks range are Low fuel consumption and spacious Cabins

continued interest in mobility is now in increasingly high demand. This is only the beginning of what the future has in store. Expected changes will also impact the safety of drivers and reduce accidents occurring on daily basis.

Telematics is considered the current and most effective real-time data leverage to impact reduction of accidents. When managers of fleet or administrators can immediately analyze data thoroughly leading to coach and manage drivers with real-time data as when they see incidents of speeding or aggressively breaking or accelerating, this is when we see the most impact on reducing accidents and cost.

New legislations, taxes (road taxes) and the rise of fuel prices are factors that can affect our operations. These changes directly affect our relationships with our customers as they barely agree to share the cost with us. Thus we are trying to get as much vital information and as early as possible to cope with the changes and to transmit it to our customers as well. GSC: What features of the new truck do you feel benefit your operation? MF: Low fuel consumption in the new Volvo trucks range is one of the many key features and advantages that will reduce our operational costs. Furthermore, safety measures are being taken care of in the new trucks range which is the key characteristic for our drivers’ safety that is important for us as we consider our drivers as crucial partners in business.

The cabins in the new Volvo trucks range are spacious and drivers have the space to take a comfortable rest when it is necessary. This in return will reduce the cost of accidents as well impacting downtime reduction risk. GSC: How do you feel FAMCO is a good partner for your operation? MF: FAMCO is one of the leading auto dealers in UAE and in the region. From selling commercial heavy truck units to machinery, providing complete logistics solutions, parts and services, FAMCO is always there to support our operations. FAMCO is highly respected throughout the UAE for the supply and service of heavy vehicles and machinery. n