Some may think that obtaining the Saudi quality mark is just an administrative procedure or a label on one aspect of the product, but in fact it is the culmination of a long series of strict procedures, a real transformation in the production structure, and a milestone that means not only recognition of quality... but an ongoing commitment to it.
This is exactly what Derbek has done, which has not only kept up with the local market, but wanted to make a real difference in the tire industry. Obtaining this label is a blatant invitation for all emerging companies to follow the same approach in order to transform the tire industry in particular and heavy industries in general from an exceptional phenomenon to an approach and plan that leads the Arab region to the refineries of great countries.
So... How did Darbek get the Saudi Quality Mark? What does this mean for the future of this industry?
What is the Saudi Quality Mark?
The Saudi Quality Mark is a certificate granted by the Saudi Organization for Standardization, Metrology and Quality (SASO) for products that comply with the highest standards of quality and safety. This mark is not granted easily, but goes through a series of evaluations including:
- The quality of materials.
- The efficiency of production lines.
- The results of laboratory tests.
- Continuity of conformity.
It is not limited to tires only, but includes thousands of products in the Saudi market, but in the field of tires in particular, the brand is a crucial tool to distinguish between a product that is committed to safety and another that may pose a danger to the road.
Why did Darbek seek to get this mark?
From the first moment, Darbek's vision was not just to sell a tire, but to establish a Saudi brand that matches the world. The Saudi Quality Mark is the first and most important step towards achieving this vision for a number of reasons:
- Because getting the label means entering the market with official confidence.
- Because it opens the door to competition with international companies on equal terms.
- Most importantly, safety is not an option, but a responsibility for us.
According to a report published by the General Authority for Competition in Saudi Arabia in 2021, 72% of local consumers prefer products bearing the Saudi quality mark over others, even if they have a higher price.
Steps to obtain the Saudi Quality Mark:
According to a report issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2021, products with internationally recognized quality certificates have seen an increase in consumer confidence by up to 54%, and an improvement in the performance of supply chains by 37%.
Obtaining this mark is not just a symbolic achievement, but a long series of strict stages set by the Standards, Metrology and Quality Authority. These stages show a real commitment by the company to quality from the planning and design stage, to manufacturing, testing, and marketing.
In the case of Darbek, the goal was not only to obtain certification, but to prove that a local framework can compete with global products on the ground, with audited standards that cannot be complimented. This was achieved by going through all technical steps, under the direct supervision of the certification bodies, and by proving quality over time, not just once.
First step: submit the technical documentation:
- This includes manufacturing files, material details, durability tests, and used codes.
- All of this data must comply with SASO specifications.
What do we mean by the term “used codes”?
It means the approved technical specifications or standard codes (Standard Codes) that specify the technical standards to be adhered to in the tire manufacturing process. These codes include:
- There is a code that specifies the minimum wall thickness of a tire.
- There is a code that determines the level of resistance to heat, pressure or corrosion.
- There is a code for the test method or acceptable performance limits.
These codes are often taken from international organizations such as ISO, or from the specifications of the Saudi Organization for Standardization and Metrology (SASO). The company must comply with these standards in full in order to obtain the quality mark.
Step two: sample inspection and testing:
Random samples of tires are sent to accredited laboratories locally or globally. Tests include:
- wear resistance.
- explosion resistance.
- Cohesion in different circumstances.
Step 3: Field visit to the factory:
A team from the Authority visits production lines to examine the manufacturing mechanism. During these visits, the following are evaluated:
- quality control.
- training.
- Internal procedures.
- Control of materials.
Step 4: Stability Test and Repeat Production:
Even after success in all the previous stages, the mark is not immediately awarded. Rather, it must be proven that the quality of the product is stable for a certain period of time and that the production process is performed equally efficiently over time.
Step 5: Accreditation and Continuous Monitoring:
After being able to pass all the previous steps, Darbek was officially awarded the quality mark. However, the journey has not stopped. The quality mark is a continuous path that is renewed like the course of a river, where products are inspected periodically and randomly even after the certificate is granted, to ensure continued conformity.
These stages that Darbek has gone through to obtain the quality mark mean that every tire bearing the Darbek logo and the quality label has actually gone through a difficult and long journey before it reaches your vehicle.
What do these steps mean in the world of tire manufacturing in Saudi Arabia?
Simply... It means that we no longer accept quality as a general term but rather as a manufacturing method, where:
- Production lines have become more compliant with specifications.
- Acceptance standards have risen in the local market.
- The consumer's perception of the local product has changed, from suspicion to trust.
According to a study issued by the International Rubber Study Group in 2022, markets that adopt strict national quality certification systems have seen a 24% drop in the percentage of counterfeit or poor tires in three years.
How has your path changed the traditional concept of the local framework?
Years ago, the local framework was considered an economic option only. It was often compared to its imported counterparts in terms of price rather than quality, but Darbek has reversed this equation:
- With local production with international standards.
- By linking quality to innovation, not just cost.
- By investing in technology, not just in reduction.
During the quality tests that Derbek tires underwent during the laboratory inspection phase, the results showed that most models significantly exceeded the minimum required in the explosion resistance test, indicating the strength of the internal structure and the quality of the materials used in manufacturing.
Your path... a step towards a leading regional industry
Today, Darbek's ambitions are not limited to the local market, but rather look towards the Gulf and neighboring markets. The Saudi quality mark has become a key to export, because quality documentation means facilitating entry into markets such as Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, and even some African countries.
According to a report issued by the Small and Medium Enterprises Support Center (Monshaat), products with the Saudi Quality Mark have a 38% higher acceptance rate when offered in export markets.
In conclusion...
A quality mark is not a paper attached to a product, but a responsibility that is placed on every frame. Obtaining it was not the end of the story, but the beginning.
Today, Darbak is proud not only to be the first to receive the quality mark... but to have created a path that other companies can follow. Quality is no longer an option... but has become an identity.
And your coach... you made this identity a real framework on the road.
