South Korea’s LSIS has developed a strong clientele in the Gulf where companies, contractors and end users have given it a vote of approval by requisitioning its world-famousproducts.

Items enjoying particularly strong demand in 2014 were medium voltage vacuum circuit breakers, while in 2013  fast-selling products were air circuit breakers, moulded case circuit breakers and magnetic contactors, said LSIS head of Gulf sales Mohamed Rashid Manoly.

“Sales of medium voltage vacuum circuit breakers climbed 100 per cent compared with 2013, he said. 

Discussing the efficacy of air circuit breakers and MCCBs, Manoly said: “These products are important for the protection of downstream devices and, most important, human lives. Our breakers are designed compact and efficient enough to protect end-users from high fault current. The protection time of our breakers is one of the fastest currently available in the electrical industry. We also offer a wide selection range which benefits panel builders who can choose the right product for installation in electrical switchgear panels.”

The company imports air circuit breakers up to 6,300 A and MCCBs up to 1,600 A.

About magnetic contactors, Manoly commented: “They have uses in several applications such as the control and protection of motors used in elevators, air-conditioners and street light controls, among other things. The range is very wide and beneficial to end users.”

LSIS magnetic contactors sold in the Gulf come in sizes up to 800 A.

The best sellers the official mentioned are among many products that are imported from LSIS’ overseas plants. In the low voltage switchgear components category, the company also distributes miniature circuit breakers up to 125 A and residual current circuit breakers up to 100 A.

A product of LSIS’ Susol MCCB series

Within the medium voltage switchgear components category under 17.5 kV, LSIS distributes within the region vacuum circuit breakers up to 3,150 A, metal clad switchgear, ring main units, compact substations and power transformers.

The Korean firm also has markets for its automation and energy-saving equipment including variable frequency drives, PLCs and HMIs.

Manoly said Saudi Arabia dominated sales in the GCC region with 45 per cent of the share followed by the UAE with 15 per cent.

“Our growth average for the past five years has been 37 per cent. LSIS has been growing tremendously in the GCC market since it set up a sales corporation in Jebel Ali in 2007. The establishment of a logistic centre in Jebel Ali has helped LSIS grow in the region,” said the official.

“The Logistics facility is operating very efficiently and we stock all items required for the Gulf. As Jebel Ali Port has a strategic location, we find it easy to ship products to any of the GCC states without problems. This has helped to a great extent in improving sales and customer  satisfaction.

“LSIS accords high priority to after sales service. With the support of LSIS Middle East and LSIS headquarters and its production facilities, we offer timely support to our end customers. We plan to enhance our after sales turnaround time by establishing servicing facilities and increasing manpower by 30 per cent.

“We are also keenly looking at establishing a panel solution production facility. A local production facility has been our long-term strategy and things are in the pipeline.”

Projects LSIS has supplied in the UAE included Al Attar Tower G+70 on Sheikh Zayed Road, the Bay Central Twin Tower in Dubai and 1,047 villas at Dubai Silicon Oasis. Outside the UAE, the company’s products have been used in Qatar’s White Square project and in a scheme housing 700 villas in Al Khesa, Bahrain’s Isha Sports City and Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity Capacitor Bank project, among other schemes in the states.

In the near future, LSIS plans to introduce in the region automatic transfer switches, ring main units and new adjustable type economical MCCBs.

The company has 12 distributors in the Gulf.