Abdel Hadi Abdallah Al-Qahtani Sons, AQS-Pepsi Cola South, was recently awarded the international gold quality award for 2003 by Pepsi Cola International (PCI). The international quality awards are given annually to Pepsi Cola bottlers around the world for achieving quality excellence after meeting PCI’s rigorous quality requirements. AQS-Pepsi Cola South celebrated the achievement at a dinner reception at Trident Hotel in Khamis Mushayt. The reception was attended by key officials of public and private institutions, in addition to representatives from PCI. Abdul Karim Al-Yusuf, managing director of AQS, delivered the keynote address. He re-emphasized the total and non-compromising commitment of AQS to continuously adhere to the stricter quality standards through the implementation of total quality management. Al-Yusuf, an engineer, is known for leading companies toward the achievement of internationally-recognized corporate standards. After attaining significant growth in volume and market share for AQS-Pepsi Cola South during his last seven years at the helm of the company, he focused his attention toward the more demanding issue of quality excellent. Although AQS won the silver award in 2002, Al-Yusuf would not settle for second best. Thus, in 2003, he and his team embarked n a determined pursuit of the gold award, sparing no expense and employing the latest in technology to ensure that products meet the most stringent standards. AQS Operations Manager Cliff Jones gave a slide presentation and demonstrated the strict process conducted by PCI for qualifying bottlers to such high quality standard. To emphasize the stringency of the awards, he pointed out that only 18 of 417 Pepsi Cola bottlers all over the world received the gold award for 2003. “This gold quality award for AQS is an affirmation of the company’s guarantee to provide only the best products to its customers,” he said.
NCB
A contract for the construction of the new regional management building of the National Commercial Bank (NCB) in the Central Region was recently signed in Riyadh. The SR157 million deal was signed at a special meeting between NCB Deputy General Manager Taha Al-Quweiz and Nasma Al-Fadl Group President Saleh Al-Turki. Commenting on the latest agreement, NCB General Manager Abdulhadi Shayif confirmed that the new building was needed in light of the bank’s expansion of operations in the Central Region. The new building will be one of the landmarks of Riyadh, he said, adding that the building will also reflect the increased focus that the bank has on its clients in the Kingdom’s capital city. “The bank is eager to provide the best service using the most modern technical and banking systems available. And this is a planned move that will assist in promoting the banking industry in the Kingdom, particularly in Riyadh, which is witnessing tangible economic and demographic growth.” Shayif also took the opportunity to thank NCB’s existing clients in the Central Region, particularly in Riyadh, saying the bank is interested in developing its relations with them and in providing high quality services to individuals and companies. Al-Quweiz said the building would stand on a 15,400 sqm. plot, and the area to be developed would total 50,000 sqm. The building, which will be completed within two years, will accommodate 1,000 employees, and the unique architectural design of the building will reflect and display the bank’s new corporate identity.
Siemens
Siemens Mobile’s latest entrant to its vast portfolio of uniquely designed handsets, the CF62, combines “practicality, style and excellent value to its design-conscious consumers.” The compact clamshell has distinctive lines culminating in the subtle loop antenna, which harmonize well with the genuine chrome finish. It also has two displays - a 130x130, 65.536-color main display and an outside screen-identifying callers before the phone is flipped open. The CF62 targets image-conscious consumers looking for valuable details. Muted colors complement the pared-down styling, as the new phone is available in “cool gray” or “cool cashmere” colors. The compact clamshell measures a mere 78cm3 volume and weighs a light 85g. “The CF62 is chick and totally affordable,” says Asim Sukhera, vice president of Siemens Mobile Phones, Middle East and Africa. “The combination of great looks, fresh functionality and good value will prove enticing to any style conscious consumer.” The new phone also offers a wide range of features for a phone of its diminutive dimensions. The tri-brand handset has an attachable QuickPic Camera with flash to let users capture and send SMS and MMS messages from almost anywhere in the world.
Memac Ogilvy
Memac Ogilvy, one of the leading communications agencies in the Middle East is demonstrating its confidence in the recovering regional communications industry by announcing a series of senior management promotions, appointments and restructuring. These changes, affecting the 280-personnel strong network of 10 offices in the GCC, Levant and North Africa, are set to propel the agency into a new level of growth and diversification of consultancy and product offering. Roger Hawa, who has led the Dubai office in achieving annual year-on-year business growth for 13 years now takes on additional responsibilities within the network as COO. With business in the Kingdom growing significantly, the decision has been made to restructure the Riyadh and Jeddah offices, with George Laham overseeing operations within both offices as managing director, installing Rabih Khoury as the Jeddah office manager, with Gilbert Rostom managing the Riyadh office. Tony Safarian has moved from leading the Memac Ogilvy Kuwait office to take over as managing director of the Bahrain office. Ramy Iqbal, a key figure in the Kuwait office for more than 10 years, takes over the reins from Tony Safarian as managing director of the Kuwait office. “It may seem like a great deal of reshuffling and creation of new roles, but I can assure you that we are not just paying lip service to change with these new titles and appointments. We’ve dedicated the year 2004 as the Year of the Employee at Memac Ogilvy,” explained Edmond Moutran, chairman and CEO, Memac Ogilvy.
DHL Saudi Arabia
DHL Saudi Arabia, a leading express and logistics company in the Kingdom, has undertaken to provide the Disabled Children Association (DCA) with SR50,000 worth of shipments free of charge for a period of one year. The agreement was signed at the Association’s Riyadh office by Musaed Al-Battal, business development manager for DHL Saudi Arabia, and Awad Al-Ghamdi, secretary general of the DCA, attended by Abdullah Al-Dakhil, assistant secretary general for resources development. Under the terms of the agreement DHL will create further public awareness of the charitable organization’s work by printing the Association’s logo on its invoices and contracts. “We very much appreciate this generous contribution which will assist the Association’s logistical needs and enhance our capabilities in helping disabled children around the Kingdom,” Al-Ghamdi said. Speaking on behalf of DHL Saudi Arabia, Al-Battal said: “Corporate social responsibility is at the heart of DHL’s policy. We take every opportunity to participate in the community we serve, and in this particular case we are especially pleased to offer our services to such a worthy cause as the Disabled Children Association.” The DCA was established in Riyadh in 1983 and supports children from birth to the age of 12. The Association’s centers offer a wide range of free services including clinics that provide examination, functional treatments, corrective treatments, physiotherapy, speech therapy and dental care.
Philips Electronics
Philips Electronics, one of the world’s largest supplier of TV display solutions to the hotel industry, recently organized a two-day conference for its Middle East and Africa dealers and systems integrators. Teus Stahlie, general manager ITV Global, flew to Dubai to attend the meeting, highlighting the commitment and importance Philips attaches to future iTV business in the region. He welcomed the guests and spoke briefly about the history and successes of iTV on a global level. Several other senior Philiips iTV managers attended the conference. “The growth in this segment has been significant, with iTV in the Middle East-Africa (MEA) region posting an impressive 75 percent growth in 2003 over 2002. We’ve had a very strong start for 2004, and we’re confident that this year will be very successful. Moreover, with 50,000 additional hotel rooms planned through 2008 and an overall increase in regional tourism, we expect continued growth for the long term,” Stahlie said. Richard Hoogenstraaten, iTV global manager in charge of new business and the driving force behind new products, made several presentations at the conference, highlighting the flat and slim line of TVs, the mirror TV and ICONN boxes. Khalid Tuer, regional general manager, Philips Consumer Electronics MEA, said: “With the support of our global management and that of our local dealers and systems integrators, we believe we can meet our goals.” Working in parallel with the dealers in the region, there are currently six system integrators who source Philips TV sets.