Dr. Haitham Durbia, Office Line (Credit: The Office Times)
Dr. Haitham Durbia, Executive Manager of the Kuwaiti wholesaler and distributor Office Line, has spoken to The Office Times about his company’s ongoing success.
Durbia begins the interview by reporting that his company finished the 2018 financial year with “increased revenues, margin expansion, and net income,” with comparable sales increasing by 12 percent and “strong performances across all product categories.”
The interview also takes in the theme of office automation, and its impact on paper and related products, which Durbia describes as “only natural”, as well as which products are selling well for Office Line.
“We are pleased to see sales increases for Post-it Notes, Scotch Magic tapes, writing instruments, meeting solutions and technology products,” Durbia explained, whilst adding that the company remains focussed on a range of new initiatives, “to improve sales across all operating divisions.”
As the interview continues, Durbia confirms to The Office Times that Office Line’s focus remains on contract sales and the SME market, whilst also looking at “strengthening the retail channel with our retail partners.”
The Executive Manager also offers his thoughts on the trends of the Kuwaiti economy and office supplies market, observing that the “multiyear global economic expansion that has benefited emerging economies such as Kuwait is tapering off.”
“However, we do not expect the Kuwait economy to go through anything but a corrective phase. As for the office supplies market, we are not expecting any major fall off from a slowing economy,” he adds.
Finally, Durbia also gives his predictions for the coming year, which he states are “in line with our prior year of a slight decrease in economic activity, albeit not at an alarming rate, due to the tense regional situation.”
“We will continue to focus on operational excellence, and delivering an easy experience to our customers,” he adds.
