Ahmed bin O. Al Harbi, Deputy Chairman of the Board
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Road Projects Contracting Co.
Together Towards Sustainable Operations
Road Projects Contracting Co. (RPCO) is a leading Saudi construction company specializing in roads, bridges, and infrastructure projects. Since its establishment in 2010, the company has built a rich portfolio of successfully delivered projects for government and private sector clients across Saudi Arabia, including NEOM, Saudi Investment Fund, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, and Ministry of Housing.
Recognized for its high specialization in roadworks and its comprehensive equipment fleet, RPCO has earned a reputation for its ability to complete projects swiftly with the highest quality and operational efficiency, continuing to drive the Kingdom’s infrastructure development today and into the future.
Pioneering Progress with Machinery Made for the Mission
Entrusted with some of Saudi Arabia's major infrastructure projects, RPCO needed reliable equipment well-suited to their large-scale projects and goals for transformation. As Mr. Ahmed Bin Obaid Al Harbi, Deputy Chairman of the Board in Road Projects Contracting Co. (RPCO), emphasized in our conversation, Komatsu’s products proved to be the much needed solution.
Since forming their alliance in 2021, RPCO has found Komatsu machinery to be instrumental in the successful execution of its regional projects. RPCO has been particularly impressed by the equipment's ability to deliver peak performance and exceptional quality, all while prioritizing environmental sustainability and workplace safety.
Yet, perhaps the most pivotal to the enduring success of this partnership, according to RPCO is Komatsu & Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery's dedicated after-sales support. "We truly value their seamless supply chain, and how they ensure prompt spare parts availability, even in remote areas with poor services," he elaborates.
"Combined with continuous training from Komatsu and Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery, we face no issues operating the machines." It is for these reasons they consider the collaboration with Komatsu a valuable step, one they intend to foster further for the achievements ahead.
Komatsu's Purpose-built Machinery: Where Quality Meets Affordability
When selecting partners, RPCO prioritized solutions aligned with their diverse project needs. According to RPCO, Komatsu distinguished itself with two critical advantages - competitively-priced models and a versatile product range.
"Compared to other machines, Komatsu's affordability remains appealing for contractors like us," he emphasized. Equally important though was flexibility, as "project specifications sometimes differ from agreed scopes in size and quantity." With Komatsu, RPCO gained the flexibility to choose from a full suite of equipment customized for varying requirements. This was central to their decision to partner with Komatsu and Abdul Latif Jameel Machinery.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, Komatsu constantly strives to meet each client's unique needs. This optimized balance of affordability and compatible designs proved instrumental for RPCO to efficiently manage the dynamic nature of projects and streamline their operations.
Durability, Efficiency, and Productivity: Komatsu's Quality Advantage
Three key indicators define quality engineered equipment: the machine's durability reflected in its lifespan, its efficiency as seen through the uptime-to-downtime ratio, and its contribution to enhancing overall productivity. These criteria form the foundation of Komatsu's industry-leading quality standards - as evidenced by RPCO's extensive experience working with them.
RPCO sees this as the driving force behind Komatsu’s long history of success globally and in the Gulf Region and the main reason why Komatsu machines make up the largest share of their fleet.
“What made us interested in Komatsu machines was the fact that most of the equipment of other companies now in the Kingdom is from Komatsu. When we tried it, we witnessed how superior in quality the machinery is.”
In practice, deploying Komatsu machines has led to substantial production increases and operation times that surpass warranty terms, as RPCO notes. "With the equipment running 18-20 hours a day, the performance we've seen is extraordinary, and for that, we're immensely grateful."
Any piece of equipment is an investment that continues to provide value, from purchase throughout its operational life, and the Japanese-made Komatsu machines deliver this sustained return on investment, which led RPCO to pursue more agreements for future collaboration with Komatsu.
