Marina Sarruf*
São Paulo – Kavo Brazil, a subsidiary of a German multinational in the dentistry equipment sector, should end the year with sales of US$ 2 million on the Arab market, representing an increase of 25% in company exports to the region when compared to last year. "The Arab market has a great potential. It is a demanding market and deserves attention," stated the commercial director at the company, Rogério Almeida.
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Syria already represent 12% of total exports of the Brazilian unit. "We have a representative in each one of these countries and a showroom too," stated Almeida. Among the Arabs, Egypt is the most ancient client.
The company started exporting to the Arab country one year ago and, according to Almeida, shipments are growing. According to him, Kavo Brazil is currently equipping a university in Alexandria, Egypt. "We ship large volumes to teaching institutions and public organizations," he added.
The Brazilian unit is also negotiating with a university in Sudan. The main line of products exported to the Arabs is Kavo Unik, a set including chair, table, spittoon, equipment, reflector and automatic pedal. "This set is used to equip a modern office. Our products are high quality and technology," stated Almeida. According to him, company representatives travel to the Arab countries at least twice a year.
In November, the company should receive a group of technicians from Algeria who will learn how to operate the dentistry equipment, as the Arab country is one of the most recent Kavo Brazil customers. According to Almeida, Algeria and Morocco entered the list of importers in the first half of this year. Among the countries in the Middle East, the company also exports to Iran and Israel.
Kavo Brazil exports to around 40 countries and 55% of the production is turned to the foreign market. Among the main clients are China, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Colombia. Almeida believes that company revenues this year should reach US$ 50 million.
Multinational
Established in 1909, in the city of Potsdam, Germany, Kavo started its activities producing inputs for scientific institutes. In 1919, the company started producing dentistry products. The company currently has six industrial units: three in Germany, one in Brazil, one in Italy and another in the United States.
Kavo has been present in Brazil since 1960 and has an industrial unit in the city of Joinville, in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. Apart from that, the organization also has a research and innovation centre in São Paulo. The Brazilian unit employs over 400 people. Apart from dentistry equipment, Kavo produces various instruments for dentists and students.
Kavo do Brasil
Tel.: (+55 11) 3323-0500
Email: saopaulo@kavo.com
Site: www.kavo.com.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
