UEB office in Dubai

Press, 5 June 1982, Page 21

UEB office in Dubai

UEB Industries, Ltd, has opened a sales office in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates from which it is trying to expand carpet sales in the Middle East. The manager is Mr Barry Kitchin, who had been UEB’s agent in the region for the last two years. Mr Kitchin, visiting Auckland for marketing meetings with UEB, said carpet salesmen flourished during the oil-fired building boom which 'gripped the Gulf States in '.the mid-19705. Arabs built many hotels, hospitals, and

commercial buildings. “They wanted carpet and because they then believed in getting everything as cheaply as possible, they settled mainly for inexpensive American synthetic products. “These carpets are not noted for their durability and now there is a whole’ newrefurbishing boom starting." Mr Kitchin came to UEB's staff by way of a sniper's bullet in Cyprus- in 1957 which paralysed his right' arm and ended his career in the British Arriny. He took up a sales career, eventually becoming general sales manager in Britain for a large American carpet and carpet accessories firm. Five years ago he moved to Dubai to act for that company in the Middle East. In 1980 he went out on his own as an agent, and, soon after UEB Industries become one of his clients.

The company also has sales offices in Australia and the United States; agents and distributors represent it in many other countries.

The company recently reported total export sales of $36.3M for the year ended March 31, most of which came from carpets.