Harding Opens New Dubai Service Station

Harding is now strengthening the world's biggest service network by opening a new service station at the heart of the maritime industry in Dubai. 'Our goal is to further improve the quality of the services we provide for our customers in the Middle East,' says Regional Director Tommy Hivand.

After using a local partner to provide services for Harding's customers in the Middle East since 2006, Harding has now opened its own state-of-the-art service station in Dubai. 

 'Harding has extensive experience and expertise as a product supplier and service provider in the field of maritime life-saving equipment. By handling our service work ourselves, at our own service station using our own expertise, we want to provide even better service to our customers in the Middle East. This investment shows that the Middle East is an important market for Harding and that our commitment in the region is a long-term one,' says Tommy Hivand, Regional Director for Africa, the Middle East and India.

Near customers

The service station is located in Dubai Maritime City, the heart of the region's maritime industry. Here, Harding can offer about 1,000 square meters of workshop premises with state-of-the-art facilities for all types of service assignments on lifeboats and davits. Among other things, the workshop will be equipped for hull repairs, paintwork and lifeboat testing in a pool, and it will also serve as a base for service engineers who travel around the region to carry out inspections and commissioning of new equipment deliveries. 

'This location puts us close to our customers in a very active region. There are many shipyards engaged in newbuilding and ship service provision nearby, and we have a strategic location in relation to the region's considerable oil and gas-related shipping activity. At the same time, the new location is very favorable in relation to the many ships that sail the trade routes between Asia, Africa and Europe. For international customers that benefit from Harding's global service program, the Dubai station will become another potential service point in our worldwide network,' Hivand emphasizes.

At first, the Dubai station will service Harding equipment, but, with time, Harding will also be able to provide services to customers with lifeboats and davits from other manufacturers.

Sales and service under one roof

Since 2011, Harding has also had a sales office in Dubai. This office will be moved to the new service station during the year.

'The Middle East is an important market for the sale of new Harding equipment, and in just a few years we have managed to build a strong position as one of the region's leading product suppliers.  Co-locating our sales and service functions in Dubai will enable us to offer customers in this region a complete and comprehensive Harding office,' says Hivand.