Trans-Roulements and ISB together in the african market
Mr. Ajami, Director of the Trans-Roulements Company, please can you tell us what your company does?
Created in 1982, Trans-Roulements Ivory Coast ranks as a major player in the Ivorian market. Our company deals with industrial supply and is specialized in power transmissions (bearings, belts, chain, pinions, electric motors etc…). Mainly we aim to satisfy the Ivorian market, we export our products also in the countries of West Africa (Mali, Burkina Faso…), thanks to a close collaboration
with the main world producers. Since its foundation, Trans-Roulements has provided comprehensive solutions to local businesses needs. Our staff is able to advise customers taking highly into consideration mechanical and electrical needs, guiding them towards the corresponding equipment that meet our customers expectations. All this thanks to a great experience accompanied by an equally in-depth technical expertise.
Our currently staff, consists of 25 people: 20 are located in our headquarters in Abidjan and 5 are located in our branch in San-Pedro. Why San-Pedro? Because it is the second most important port city in Ivor y Coast.
What are the most relevant products?
Our top products are: bearings, belts, chains, pinions, hydraulic hoses and electric motors. We work in all product sectors, but agri-food is the most important economic sector to date and we believe that this sector will continue to develop further in the coming years. Even if the competition is very strong, our experience, thanks to a constant presence in the territory over time and a deep knowledge of the Ivorian market, allows us to be one of the benchmark for local industrial distribution.
Unfortunately, however, the Ivorian market is polluted by “counterfeiting”, in fact the primary brands are counterfeited and offered at unbeatable prices. The road that we have followed in order to contrast this tendency has been that to develop another brand: ISB
When and why did you start the partnership with ISB?
The partnership with ISB started 10 years ago, in 2011. At that time we were looking for a second brand for the «rotary market» to represent, in order to face the economic field needs. We had the opportunity to know ISB at the international exhibition «EQUIP AUTO».
When we first imported ISB bearings which were distributed free of charge to allow some customers to test them, the result was very satisfactory and this led to the omologation of the “Green Brand”. This choise has thrilled us.
What are the “benefits” of this partnership with ISB?
ISB products have a good value for money and we can also take advantage of the large warehouse with a good availability of products in stock. Convincing customers to replace primary brands with ISB is a big challenge. But we do not hesitate to give free bearings to be able to test them. For 15 years, there was no return, no complaint, no claim.
Quality has always been the spearhead of our company, and it is an extremely important element for us. ISB products have an excellent certified quality; and it also offers us a great and fast service with a highly qualified and professional staff: our internal contacts are very kind, always very helpful and collaborative to solve all the problems related to exports to Ivory Coast and the needs of the market.
What are the plans for the future?
We have several projects for the future: first of all we would like to further develop other sectors of activity, in order to acquire new market shares without neglecting our specialization and our training.
Represent ISB brand by focusing attention on it, so you are not in the shadow of any other primary brand. We want to find new partners in the countries of the sub-region to develop our business in West Africa and to provide products with excellent quality accompanied by impeccable service.
We believe that ISB can compete strongly with other premium brands and also with the entire counterfeiting market which unfortunately occupies a large part of the industry. It is up to us to know how to convince customers through our technical expertise and help them to distinguish and make the difference between an original bearing and a counterfeit one.

