BRITISH construction machinery giant JC Bamford Excavators, popularly known as JCB, is predicting bright regional prospects.

“The Middle East market is a big one for us to focus on,” said Graeme Macdonald, chief executive of JCB, a world-leading manufacturer of heavy machinery used for construction, demolition and agriculture.

Almost one-third of all construction machinery sold in Bahrain last year was JCB-branded, according to the company’s own figures, giving it a larger market share in the kingdom than in any other GCC country. Out of the 126 skid-steer loaders sold in Bahrain in the eight months to August this year, 40 were JCB-branded – compared to 83 of the 292 sold last year.

“We have got some of the best dealers in the world in the GCC and we will soon be initiating a new investment in the UAE’s capital Abu Dhabi, which reflects our ongoing interest in the region. The single biggest market for us in the GCC is Saudi Arabia, as it remains the largest in terms of construction,” said JCB worldwide marketing director Matt McClurg.