Aamal strengthens Qatari consumer offer with creation of state-of-the-art Gettco Home Appliances brand – own store to open by early 2013

Doha, Qatar – 4 December 2012 – Aamal Company Q.S.C. (“Aamal”), one of the GCC’s fastest growing diversified Companies, today announces the further expansion of its Aamal Trading and Distribution business with the introduction of a new consumer products line, Gettco Home Appliances.

State-of-the-art Gettco Home Appliances offers a full range of Gettco branded home appliances such as: LED TV, air conditioners, refrigerators, gas cookers, microwaves, dishwashers, washing machines and dryers. It also offers small appliances such as kettles, food processors and vacuum cleaners. Aamal Trading and Distribution created, owns and markets the Gettco brand. The Gettco name was first given by Aamal founders in 1969 to what later became the Trading and Distribution branch.

The appliances will be manufactured in China by a global producer which is one of the largest in the world and supplies other international brands. The Appliances are currently being distributed through wholesalers, hypermarkets and separate projects. Aamal Trading and Distribution will open its own first dedicated showroom by early 2013 and expects to export Gettco Home Appliance products to the GCC market in the future. Most of Gettco home appliances come with energy ratings A or A+ which ensures their efficient performance and eco-friendliness.

This business stream is a new development for Aamal. It is designed to further diversify operations and revenue channels and capitalise on the changes in market dynamics caused by a rapidly rising population and the construction boom in the country.

Tarek M. El Sayed, Managing Director of Aamal, said: “the Company strategy for achieving future growth is based on developing of new businesses in the areas we work in and the organic growth of our existing operations. Aamal branches and subsidiaries always seek to introduce new services and products to maintain their leading market position, and the launch of “Gettco Home Appliances” is an example of their continuous growth. The diversification in Aamal operations has contributed positively to our growth in the past few years, this new business stream is in line with our strategy and I am optimistic about the future prospects”

Jai Shankar, Acting General Manager, Aamal Trading and Distribution, said: “Gettco is a powerful addition to our product and service range. Its highly attractive appliances underline Aamal’s commitment to meeting consumers’ needs while further diversifying our business in line with Aamal’s corporate strategy. During the past three months we have successfully introduced over 2,000 appliances in the market with zero recalls and nothing but pure customer satisfaction. I am particularly excited about opening a dedicated showroom where we can serve our customers directly. We have launched a temporary display area at City Center which will last for three weeks in order for more people to experience our products.”

ENDS

About Aamal Trading and Distribution

Aamal Trading and Distribution has been the exclusive distributor in Qatar for Bridgestone tyres since 1971 and a non-exclusive distributor of Total lubricants since 1990. The introduction to the Qatari market of a new business line, Gettco Home Appliances, further complements and diversifies its businesses. Aamal Trading and Distribution has three fast-growing divisions:

• Automotive Division: distributes and sells Bridgestone tyres and Total lubricants;
• Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Division: supplies, installs, commissions and maintains air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, selling and distributing Mitsubishi Electric and Gettco air conditioners, as well as several other reputable brands;
• Gettco Home Appliances (a new business division): offers a full range of Gettco branded home appliances, both white and brown.

About Aamal

Aamal Company is one of the GCC’s fastest growing diversified conglomerates, delivering a CAGR in net profit before fair value gains on investment properties of 20% from 2006-2011 and generating revenues of QAR 1,910m (US $524m) in 2011.  Focused on sustained, profitable growth and strongly diversified for balanced exposure across Qatar’s rapidly growing economy, Aamal’s operations comprise 22 business units with market leading positions in the key industrial, retail, property, managed services and medical equipment and pharmaceutical sectors. Aamal is one of the largest diversified companies quoted on the Qatar Exchange, having been listed since December 2007.

For further information on Aamal Company, please refer to the corporate website: http://www.aamal.com.qa

Further Enquiries

Aamal Company	+ 974 4435 0666
Arwa Goussous Corporate Communications Manager (mobile # +974 5513 9539)	[email protected]
Citigate Dewe Rogerson	+974 4452 8335
Michael Prest (mobile # +974 3373 5083)	[email protected]
Nick Cox-Johnson (mobile # 44 (0)7957 596 729)	[email protected]