BIA Group and Sumitomo Corporation have announced that they have entered a strategic partnership that will enable further growth of their business and generate synergies.

The agreement, which includes a minority investment by Sumitomo Corporation in the BIA Group, brings together the companies' long-standing track record as Komatsu distributors and top-level experience as independent OEM distributors in complementary geographies and industries, including the mining industry.

BIA Group is the exclusive distributor of Komatsu equipment and other OEMs in Africa and in the Benelux region. Sumitomo Corporation operates a diverse portfolio of businesses globally, including a longstanding experience in the distribution of Komatsu equipment and rental of equipment.

By combining BIA Group's and Sumitomo Corporation's expertise, the partnership will enhance both companies' market reach and efficiency. Specifically, Sumitomo Corporation will gain exposure to the mining and construction machinery market in the European and African geographies served by BIA Group, while BIA Group will benefit from Sumitomo Corporation's global network and its experience in the distribution of Komatsu equipment in complementary geographies.

The collaboration allows for shared resources, knowledge exchange, and sharing both groups' best practices. It will lead to improved customer success and further development of the BIA Group's portfolio of products and services. There will be no impact on the relationships and daily interactions with suppliers, customers and other stakeholders of the BIA Group.

We will be able to strengthen our market position by offering innovating solutions to our customers

"We are very proud of the interest and trust shown by Sumitomo Corporation in partnering with BIA Group. This partnership allows BIA Group to set up new ambitions in the growing African market," Vincent Bia, CEO of the BIA Group, said. "By leveraging both companies' long experience in the distribution of Komatsu equipment, we will be able to strengthen our market position by offering innovating solutions to our customers in the construction, mining, transport, and energy segments."

Kenichi Hyuga, general manager of the Construction & Mining Systems Strategic Business Unit, said: "We are delighted to announce our collaboration with BIA Group, a pioneer of distribution business in Europe and African countries for more than a century. We are committed to creating value through this partnership, leveraging the strengths of both companies to achieve sustainable growth. Sumitomo Corporation intends to contribute to the future development of BIA Group and the enhancement of customer satisfaction by investing its long-accumulated business management experience in mining and construction equipment distributors."

BIA Group and Sumitomo Corporation are confident in their ability to unlock the potential of this partnership, creating long-term value for the companies' stakeholders, including their customers, employees, suppliers, communities, and shareholders based on a shared set of values between the two companies.