Up Lifting's Roberto Garzo with Ahmed Rashed of General Engineering Services

Spanish materials handling manufacturer Up Lifting has signed a distribution agreement with major Omani company General Engineering Services (Genserv).

The agreement will see Up Lifting's products distributed throughout Genserv's extensive network in the Arab Peninsula, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

Up Lifting general manager Roberto Garzo says the arrangement is aimed at "converting Up Lifting into one of the sector's leading manufacturers in this major geographical area", making the most of Genserv's distribution reach.

Genserv also represents Crown and Volvo Construction Equipment in the region.

Garzo concedes that most of its production is for domestic consumption, but says the company is "completely focused on internationalisation". "We now have distributors in Holland, Italy, Poland, Ukraine, Turkey and Arabian Peninsula," he says.

The latest distribution agreement comes on the back of a similar deal with Balen Makina A.S., which will carry heavy lifting and handling equipment in the Turkish market.

The Istanbul-based distributor will be targeting the military logistics sector. Earlier this year, Up Lifting was awarded the contract to supply reach stackers to the Dutch Army.

Turkey's marble quarries are also on the Balen Makina target list.

The Spanish company's push into the Middle East comes amid growing interest in the region among materials handling manufacturers and distributors, and the region's leading trade show drawing strong support this year.

Materials Handling Middle East 2013 was held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 10 to 12, attracting a record number of delegates as trade and commerce centres in the region enjoy a period of revived economic growth, driving demand for greater supply chain and cargo handling infrastructure and facilities of the highest standard.

Up Lifting dates back to 1963 and the formation of the Gaypu Group, which stared manufacturing farm implements, agricultural machinery and wrought iron work in the Spanish town of Bolea Huesca.

Since 2002, Gaypu Group has diversified its product range and manufacturing capability, with an emphasis on exports starting in 2004.

The Up Lifting division was established in 2011, and already boasts a range of forklifts and reach stackers.

The company employs 80 people and produces 50 units per year, but Garzo tells Forkliftaction.com News this will increase to 100 units next year.