With the support of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi crown prince and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Forces, Aujan Industries was recognized as the FMCG Manufacturing Company of the year by Arabian Business. The ceremony was Arabian Business’ sixth consecutive achievement awards and took place in Abu Dhabi recently. Aujan Industries Chairman Adel Aujan said: “It’s a great honor for Aujan to receive the Arabian Business Achievement Award, one of the most respected business awards in the region. We at Aujan take great pride in our business. We’ve invested immensely into understanding the market dynamics, adapting to change and planning for future growth.” Aujan’s success is fueled by its (555) business strategy — $500 million in five years with five brands. “We’ve outlined a clear and distinct goal through 555,” said Aujan Industries CEO Alex Andarakis.
HUGO BOSS
Hugo Boss opened its first store in Jeddah last weekend. The launch has featured Mcclaren F1 cars. Extending over two levels and some 910 sq m, the new venue is a luxurious platform showcasing the rich world of Hugo Boss collections. The store, which has a two storied entrance hall, carries the distinctive Boss and Hugo collections, namely Boss Black and Boss Orange men’s wear and women’s wear. Featured along with the clothing is a complete range of accessories for men and women. The store has opened with the current winter collections for 2006. Clean white and beige walls and natural limestone flooring enhance the mood of spaciousness punctuated by finely-tuned design accents such as walnut and white magnolia panels. A free form spiral staircase leads up to the mezzanine floor, where skylights allow natural light to flood into the store.
COMMTEL
COMMTEL 06, the Kingdom’s annual exhibition for computing, office equipment and the Internet, ended in Jeddah last weekend with multimillion riyal deals. Organized by Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions Ltd., the event was sponsored by Saudi Telecom Company, which held a raffle draw for a BMW car that was won by a teacher. He was among hundreds of visitors comprising government officials, professionals, businessmen, professors and students who were all visibly happy over the offer of latest communications technology and solutions during the show’s five-day run. Market leaders such as Arabian Business Machines (Toshiba), Al Haddad (Nokia), Al Maktaba, Casio, Canon, JVC, LG, Mobily, Panasonic, Bravo, Supertech TV, i2, Zoofitech and a contingent of many other companies displayed their products in well decorated stands.
BALUBAID
Balubaid Automotive Company, one of the GM dealers in Saudi Arabia, has launched its special campaign for the Haj season, which offers a chance to acquire two new Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban cars in addition to gifts worth SR6,000. Buyers of any of the four cars will get gifts worth SR6,000, which include original GM auto roof mount storing luggage, Albairaq tent, German trip fridge, picnic bag, two sleeping bags, plastic mat and bathing tent.
The offer continues at the Balubaid’s branches in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Taif and Yanbu. Chevrolet Tahoe model in 2007 is a totally new large-sized 4X4 model. The Chevrolet Suburban is a completely new car and replaces GMC Suburban. The GMC Yukon is equipped with an eight-cylinder engine, GMC Yukon XL is equipped with an eight cylinder 8-engine.
NCB
The National Commercial Bank (NCB) recently founded a group that would develop Islamic Banking. Abdulrazak Elkhraijy has been appointed its head. The group was formed as part of the bank’s initiative to establish Islamic banking principles and expand its distribution locally and regionally. NCB CEO Abdulkareem Abu AlNasr said that the Islamic Banking Development Group was formed after the bank succeeded in converting all its branches to Islamic banking mechanisms. The development of traditional products and services and converting those to Islamic products and services as well as innovating alternative products has made the bank an example for many local and international banks to study and emulate. The bank strives to be an authority as an administrative reference by developing Islamic banking throughout its division.
PAMPERS
As part of its ongoing commitment to educate parents on the importance of baby’s different stages of development, the Pampers “Let’s Grow” train has embarked on its next journey to Saudi Arabia to spread awareness among parents on the key milestones of a child’s growth in the early stages of life. The train, which is part of an awareness campaign that was launched by Pampers last year, is back again to continue the education process of helping parents see the world through their baby’s eyes to get a better understanding of their growth needs and to learn ways to enhance it. Oversized furniture and household items are on display within each unit of the train for parents to comprehend and see the world from a baby’s eyes. By experiencing the baby’s perspective, parents become more effective in understanding their baby’s behavior thus developing more efficient methods in dealing with their children.
STARBUCKS
Quality coffee and delicious drinks are what Starbucks is famous for and this winter season promises to be no different. Starbucks’ holiday beverages are back once again this winter. Once again, Toffee Nut Latte, a “timeless favorite,” returns to provide warmth and joy to be shared with friends and family during this special time of the year. Starbucks Toffee Nut Latte is a rich and buttery beverage of sweet toffee and the warm flavors of toasted nuts, blended to perfection with smooth espresso and velvety steamed milk. This festive beverage is topped with whipped cream and toffee flavored sprinkles for a handcrafted touch. Haitham H. Alshaya, GM, Alshaya International Trading Co, the licensed operator of Starbucks Coffee stores across Saudi Arabia, says: “At Starbucks, we strive to create a warm and inviting environment that helps people connect over the highest quality and best-tasting coffee.”
BITUMAT
There is great buoyancy in the national as well as the international market and to cope with the huge demand, Bitumat has increased its production capacity of modified bitumen waterproofing membranes by 50 percent by adding a new line. “Additionally, we’re also introducing a line to produce bituminous protection boards,” Riad T. Nimri, GM, Bitumat Co. Ltd., Dammam, said recently. “Our products have been accepted worldwide though in the initial stages there was some skepticism when we competed with the best of the European manufacturers. In 1984, we approached the world with apprehension. Now we’re approached by the market. International demand for Bitumat waterproofing products has been growing every year and last year our Exports exceeded our domestic sales. The current years trends are the same,” said Nimri while addressing the delegates at the 19th Bitumat International Roofing Academy, Dammam.
