| |
‘Oman has a Vibrant,
Growing Market’
Jaap Merkus, GM, Philips Domestic Appliances and Personal Care (Middle East &
Africa), was on a very short visit to Oman recently. Merkus shares the company’s
strategies and plans for the Middle East, especially Oman, with Sunil Kumar
Singh
The
Netherlands-based Royal Philips Electronics is one of the world’s biggest
electronics companies and Europe’s largest, with sales of EUR 30.4 billion last
year. As a global player in the three domains of healthcare, lifestyle and
technology, it has been rated the top climber among the ‘Leading 50’ companies
in corporate sustainability reporting published by Sustainability in partnership
with the United Nations Environment Programme and S&P. The company has recently
made strategic moves to enter new market segment by agreeing to acquire Partners
in Lighting (PLI), the leading European manufacturer of home luminaries, as well
to acquire New York-headquartered Intermagnetics General Corp, which develops,
manufactures and markets high-field superconducting magnets used in Magnetic
Resonance Imaging. Moreover, as part of its aggressive marketing strategy, the
company has unveiled its latest brand campaign, spanning TV, print, online and
outdoor media in 10 markets around the world that includes China, France,
Germany, U.K., U.S.A., Brazil, Russia, The Netherlands, Italy and India. OER
caught up with Merkus to find out that Oman too occupies an important place for
Philips’ market strategy in the Middle East.
When did Philips make its foray into the Middle East market?
We entered the Middle East market some 50-60 years back.
How do you perceive the growth trajectory of Philips domestic appliance and
personal care segment in Middle East over these years?
Huge investments are taking place in the region, which has become the hub of
intense economic activity. These, in turn, have had a positive impact on
consumer buying behaviour. We have a positive outlook about the growth of our
company in this region.
What are the future plans of the company in the Middle East?
In the domestic appliances and personal care segments, the company has been
regularly launching new products, several more of which are in the pipeline.
Recently, Philips has been on acquisition drive, especially in the medical and
lighting segments. Is there any acquisition move planned in the domestic
appliances and health care segments, especially in the Middle East?
We certainly have some very aggressive plans for the Middle East. But, I am
afraid I cannot divulge when exactly this will happen.
No Middle East country features in the latest brand campaign unveiled by Philips
recently. Your comments?
Philips is a global brand and we operate in a number of countries around the
globe. Therefore, sometimes it becomes a difficult choice to prioritise among
countries. But, all our brand campaigns are launched in a phased manner and the
Middle East will certainly feature in time to come.
How important is the Omani market for Philips products, especially domestic
appliances and personal care?
In Oman, there’s a growing demand for all Philips products. The company is
looking forward to a future of greater importance based on Oman’s market.
Consumers in Oman have placed considerable confidence in our products and we’re
trying to further strengthen that confidence.
Top^
|
:: OER - August- 2006 ::
|
|
|
December -
2006 |
|
Cover Story |
|
Looking
Back
Rapid economic growth fuelled by skyrocketing energy prices,
path-breaking free trade agreement with the US in record time, mega
infrastructure progress with investments of billions of dollars,
fast expansion of mobile users’ base… OER lens takes a look at the
developments in 2006 that are going to shape the destiny of Oman in
the coming years... |
|
Other Headlines |
|
SANAD Time to Take Stock
Five years after an enthusiastic take off, the Ministry of Manpower
programme has come a long way — helping build more than 8,000 commercial
activities and providing more than 17,000 job opportunities across the
country... |
|
Global
Markets: Economic And Strategy Themes
The slowdown in the American economy could see both oil and gold rising
again in the next year even as the benign backdrop for US interest rates
acts as natural nirvana for emerging market shares... |
|
GITEX:
Beyond Expectations
The who’s who of the global ICT industry congregated in Dubai in November
to mesmerise the tech geeks with an array of new technology products and
services in the GITEX and GULFCOMMS 2006, reports Akshay Bhatnagar from
Dubai... |
|
The
Stress-Busting Chef
Kim Jepsen, General Manager, Oasis Lifestyle LLC, recharges his batteries
by taking to the outdoors, or cooking a cordon bleu meal, finds Rekha Bala... |
|
Backdating Options Reward Mediocrity
Many companies are in the
net for taking the backdating options route; a move that actually sends
out a wrong message to all their employees... |
|
Qatar Plays
‘The Game of Your Life’
By successfully hosting the 15th
Asian Games, the second largest sports extravaganza after the Olympics,
Qatar has sent a clear signal that it is ready to expand its connections
with the world, finds out Clarence Michael... |
|
‘This
conference is a good start in the right direction’
On the eve of the pioneering Regional Conference on Occupational Health
being held in Muscat from December 11-13, His Excellency Hamed bin Hilal
al Busaidi, Undersecretary of Labour, Ministry of Manpower, gives his
insightful comments on the issue in an interview to OER... |
|
Swing on
the Wing
Abu Dhabi is going to host a major Golf Tournament in January, with
golfers getting an opportunity to drive the ball from the top of an
aircraft — courtesy Etihad Airways... |
|
Creating
Employment Avenues
The Sultanate is making all efforts to
promote higher education and private enterprise so that employment
prospects continue to brighten... |
|
The perfect
addition
With the newly launched Continental GTC, the Bentley completes the Continental
family. Anne Kurian gets behind the ‘dream on wheels’ to get a firsthand
experience |
|
Technology Contracts Decrypted: Part 2
Last month, Saleem Ashrafi Adam of Trowers and Hamlins covered the concept
of what Information Technology (IT) contracts were and took us through
what IT law is and some interesting issues surrounding IT-related
contracts. |
|
‘Oman has
a Vibrant, Growing Market’
Jaap Merkus, GM, Philips Domestic Appliances and Personal Care (Middle
East & Africa), was on a very short visit to Oman recently. Merkus shares
the company’s strategies and plans for the Middle East,... |
|
Corporate Profile |
|
Raring to Go
Having a pan-Sultanate footprint within just 17 years of its
inception, the Dhofar Insurance Company SAOG has come a long way and is
bracing to face the competition that’s heating up in Oman’s insurance
market, reports Sunil Kumar Singh and Zuhair Al Arabi |
|
|
Regulars |
|
|
|
|
|
Post
your Articles
