Trucks and Auxiliary Equipment

In the truck and dump segment, GBR interviewed representatives from Komatsu Middle East, XCMG, and Scania, each of whom provided unique perspective based on the current nature of their operations. Komatsu operates through its local representative, Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery, XCMG opened its Saudi office in 2023; while Scania, currently based in the UAE and with GCC Olayan, plans to expand into KSA to capitalize on the opportunity that Vision 2030 embodies and does not rule out establishing a local office.

Han Ke, general manager for Saudi Arabia at XCMG, ranked the company as one of China’s largest construction equipment manufacturers and the fourth largest worldwide, behind Caterpillar, Komatsu, and John Deere. Reflecting on their experience in KSA so far, he said: “Our time in Riyadh helped us identify a strong demand for equipment capable of withstanding harsh climate conditions and meeting the precise requirements of each project. Building relationships with local stakeholders has also helped us better understand market dynamics. Additionally, we have noticed the importance of skilled operators and reliable after-sales support, which remain challenges in the industry.”

XCMG offers a wide range of mining equipment, including wide-body trucks (70-100 t), rigid dump trucks (90-400 t), articulated dump trucks and excavators. Despite working with industry giants like Rio Tinto, XCMG’s entry into Saudi Ara- bia has been challenging. “Many contractors rely on OEMs they have worked with for years, and their technical teams are familiar with maintaining and troubleshooting this equipment. Convincing them to switch is a real challenge for us. However, we aim to grow our market share by at least 20%. Our goal is to establish lasting relationships with key players like Ma’aden who operate across various commodities. In this context, we have a strategic plan to help us progress,” Ke concluded.

Although GBR did not have the pleasure to interview executives from Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery (Komatsu’s representative), it had the opportunity to speak with the managing director of Komatsu Middle East based in the UAE: “In Saudi Arabia, with our authorized distributor Abdul Latif Jameel Summit we ensure that our High performing equipment meets the Kingdom's growing needs. With the objective of providing strong product support and uninterrupted after-market services, a dedicated Komatsu team is stationed with the distributor’s office in KSA,” commented Tomomitsu Hoga.

Some of the latest equipment introduced by the Japanese OEM includes the PC550 surface hydraulic excavator and the HD785 dump truck. Hoga highlighted the biggest challenge posed by Vision 2030: “Now, the challenge is meeting shorter lead times as projects progress fast. Ensuring timely delivery of machines for mobilized operations will test readiness.”

“Our main goal is to establish a presence in every market across the region, with an urgent focus on Saudi Arabia, a key market with immense opportunities,” declared Juan Carlos Ocampo, managing director at Scania Middle East.

Based out of Dubai, Scania Middle East operates across the Middle East and North Africa (excluding Morocco) through independent distributors, but currently lack operations in the Kingdom’s mining sector. “At present, we are involved in mining operations, primarily quarries, in Oman, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. However, we have yet to establish ourselves in Saudi Arabia, where we see significant potential as the mining sector is set to become the third pillar of the Saudi economy under Vision 2030,” Ocampo explained.

Scania is renowned for its Heavy Tippers, available in 6X4 and 8X4 configurations. Regarding their plans for entering Saudi Arabia, Ocampo elaborated: “We are evaluating several approaches, including sending team members from Dubai and coordinating with our local partner, GCC Olayan. Establishing a standalone company is also under consideration. We are preparing a solid, comprehensive offering for Saudi Arabia’s mining sector and look forward to launching our presence in this market soon,” he concluded.

For Francesco Morosini, CEO at Tesmec, an Italian trencher manufacturer with a subsidiary in KSA, the rapid pace at which the mining industry is evolving under Vision 2030 presents a dual-sided experience. On the challenges side, it makes securing investment and building local partnerships difficult. However, that does not discourage the CEO from seeing the company succeed: “Tesmec is confident in its ability to grow in the region. By 2026, we plan to establish a local assembly base to serve both the Saudi market and the wider GCC region,” he added. On the positive side, the same pace will enable the company to grow, and its already established local presence is an asset: “This local presence ensures that Tesmec can offer timely and efficient service, essential for an industry focused on maximizing productivity while minimizing environmental impact,” he emphasized.

Tesmec has recently completed a year-long proof-of-concept project with Ma’aden to test its trenchers. According to Morosini, these trenchers streamline operations by eliminating the need for blasting, drilling, and primary crushing, which, coupled with GPS technology, provides the perfect recipe for precise excavation and improves the overall quality of ore extraction: “Over six months, mines using this technology reported a 10-15% increase in ore recovery, a significant improvement in operations, especially when handling high waste-to-ore ratios,” concluded Morosini.