Banz Trading & Contracting, one of Bahrain’s leading importers and distributors, has reported strong sales of items from Germany-based MTU (Motoren und Turbinen Union GmbH), mainly diesel engine parts for marine and industrial applications.

“More than 50 per cent of income of Banz’s engineering division comes from that segment,” said a spokesman for the division.

“We deliver a substantial number of MTU parts to major customers such as Bapco, BDF, Great Lakes, Asry and Alba” said the spokesman. “We overhauled Arabiya Seven rig engines through Asry with MTU parts. This was a major order”.

“Sales of MTU parts have increased over the past three years by 20 per cent. The division’s sales this year surpassed those of 2014 by October and we have several more orders on hand.”

In late October, Banz was busy overhauling two MTU engines for Bapco. Banz does the overhauling if the buyer requests the service.

Banz’s next important product line is Navistar parts, which account for around 20 per cent of the division’s sales turnover. Government agencies were a major customer this year of the parts, while supplies were also made to other important customers including Al Wardi and Turk Transport.

The company receives Navistar truck components including a range of Fleetguard filters, directly from the US. Navistar is a leading manufacturer of commercial trucks, buses, defence vehicles and engines.

Banz is also a major importer of Allison parts and consumables with the truck population having grown considerably in Bahrain in the public transportation, industrial and commercial fields. Transmission components for gear boxes are sourced from Allison’s Dubai office. Among products Banz delivers to the transportation industry are Delco Remy’s starters and alternators. 

The Bahrain firm is also a prominent supplier of diesel generators including portables of up to 12 KVA from Briggs & Stratton, and higher-capacity generators, both portable and stationary, from the UK’s Marapco.

The Marapco diesel generators have capacities of 15 kVA to 2,000 kVA and supplies are arranged according to what the customer has specified. However, so far, Banz has delivered sets up to 500 kVA.

Large-capacity generators go mostly to the BDF; the lower capacity ones are requisitioned by a number of contractors.

Banz also distributes Briggs & Stratton water pumps, lawnmowers and other gardening equipment as well as high-pressure washers.

“Over the past four years Banz’s engineering division business has been expanding well and a key to that is the training we provide to technicians,” said the spokesman.

The company has also succeeded in drawing customers to its Dynamo testing service facility for any type of engine. The company is the only one in Bahrain with capability to perform such tests.