TQMCG
The Institute for Total Quality Management (ITQM) from Switzerland, together with the TQM Consulting Group (TQMCG) Inc., also based in Zurich, recently completed successful EFQM European Assessor Trainings and other QM workshops in Saudi Arabia and in the UAE. Participants came from King Saud University, King Abdul Aziz University, the Dammam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Saudi Aramco, Eastern Petrochemical Company, Jubail United Petrochemical Company, Jeddah Municipality, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Al-Jazira Bank, Procare-Riaya Hospital, Dr. Erfan & Bagedo General Hospital, the General Authority of Civil Aviation-Jeddah, Savola, Dubai Properties Group, Dubai Air Wing, Jumeirah, Glaxo Saudi Arabia, International Medical Center Jeddah, Sama Dubai, Jeddah Municipality, and other organizations. The participants learned what it takes to be a successful assessor and what business excellence is all about. Dr. Karl J. Koller, CEO of TQMCG and business excellence expert, was impressed by the engagement of all the workshop participants. Dr. Koller recognized that more and more organizations from the Gulf region want to attain the status of not merely good, but excellent organizations. The EFQM excellence model is a roadmap for organizations to achieve excellence.
DHL
In another “regional first,” DHL Express, one of the world’s major express and logistics companies, is spearheading a new service that offers customers a day-certain, business-to-business, cost-effective solution for typically heavier shipments within the Middle East. With DHL Economy Select, customers can enjoy the same level of reliability for less urgent shipments that they enjoy with DHL’s Express Worldwide service. The systemized service offers a door-to-door delivery supported by online track and trace, providing full shipment visibility to each customer, all backed by DHL’s stringent, certified Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) procedures to ensure the highest levels of security. The new service leverages the company’s extensive road and air network, as well as DHL’s in-house, 24/7 customs clearance capabilities. Businesses from a diverse range of market sectors such as electrical, engineering, consumer, automotive and oil and gas now have an unparalleled and economical, door-to-door service for moving their heavier and less urgent shipments across the GCC, Levant and Egypt, says Dirk Van Doorn, DHL business and product development manager, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey.
Cadillac
The all-new 2008 Cadillac CTS has received one of the Middle East’s most prestigious awards, having been named ‘2008 Saudi Auto Car of the Year’ — the latest in a series of awards won around the world by the luxury brand’s flagship sedan. The experts at Saudi Auto, one of the premier automotive magazines in the region, praised the Cadillac CTS for its dramatic design and enhanced levels of power and performance thanks to the introduction of a new engine and transmission, and the highest standards of ride quality, quietness and safety. “The all-new 2008 Cadillac CTS is spectacular from all angles — from its handcrafted, tailored interior to its dramatic outer skin — making it a deserving winner of our Car of the Year Award for 2008,” said Bakur Azher, publisher and editor in chief, Saudi Auto magazine. “Both the exterior and the interior design elements of the 2008 CTS reflect not only an evolution from the previous-generation model, but serve as forerunners of future Cadillac design features,” he added. “Cadillac is truly honored to receive this coveted award from one of the region’s leading automotive authorities,” says Terry Johnsson, president of GM Middle East.
Marsh
Marsh, one of the world’s leading insurance brokers and risk advisers, has announced that, following approval by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA), it has been licensed to provide full insurance broking and advisory services in Saudi Arabia under the provision of the Insurance Law of 2003. The company will serve the insurance and reinsurance needs of its clients through Marsh Saudi Arabia Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers and provide consultancy and risk advisory services and solutions through Marsh Insurance Consulting Saudi Arabia. These two entities are joint ventures that include Marsh, long time affiliate Saudi International Trading and Marketing, owned by Sheikh Abedlelah Kaki, and prominent insurance industry professional Mousa Al-Rubaian. Thanking SAMA for the grant of license, Sa’ed Obied, country manager of Marsh in Saudi Arabia, said: “Marsh is pleased to be licensed under the insurance law in Saudi Arabia and is excited by the opportunities this license gives us to build on that relationship to the benefit of our clients. Saudi Arabian companies are growing in complexity and sophistication. As these companies expand their activities locally, regionally and globally, Marsh looks forward to working with them and bringing to bear its unrivalled resources to help them achieve their objectives.” Robert Makhoul, head of Marsh’s Middle East operations, said: “The Middle East is one of Marsh’s fastest growing regions and Saudi Arabia is a key driver of that growth. Such rapid expansion brings not only opportunities but also greater and more complex risks.”
Landmark Group
GCC Landmark Group, a leading retailer and one of Middle East’s fastest growing conglomerate businesses, has won the retailer of the year recognition at the Retail City Awards 2008 held at the Raffles Dubai. The award recognizes outstanding retail achievement, both local and international. The key parameters of the awards judging were growth, progress, contribution to the industry store layout, merchandising, department management, customer service, creativity, cleanliness and community involvement. The group’s concept store Babyshop was short-listed in the best corporate social responsibility category for its safety belt campaign while another retail concept chain Max was nominated in the emerging market retailer of the year. Both of them were awarded the ‘Highly commended’ recognition. The Retail City Awards was established in 2006 to recognize outstanding retail projects, honoring shopping center owners, development associates, retailers, franchisers, architects and designers. The event is held under the auspices of Retail City — an annual networking exhibition and conference focusing on all aspects of the retail development cycle. Micky Jagtiani, chairman of Landmark Group, said: “The Landmark Group is honored by this prestigious recognition and dedicates the ‘Retailer of the Year’ award to the tireless effort and commitment of everyone associated with the group. The group has built its reputation on the strength of its commitment to the consumer, which is reflected in the unmatched quality of its products. We wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to the panel at the Retail City Awards 2008 for bestowing us with the award and recognition.” The Landmark Group today operates over 750 stores spread over 10 million square feet in 11 countries.
Motorola
The Enterprise Mobility business from Motorola, Inc. has announced the MC75, the latest addition to its portfolio of Enterprise Digital Assistants (EDA), developed for mobile enterprises that require connectivity around the world. The MC75 EDA will help organizations increase worker productivity and efficiency, reduce operational costs and errors, and enhance customer service by delivering simultaneous voice, data, GPS navigation, and camera-based document capture. “At U-Haul, we aim to deliver the convenience that our customers demand, at the low cost that they expect,” said Sam Shoen, chief of staff, U-Haul International, Inc. “With the MC75, Motorola has brought a product to market that will continue to transform the way our organization serves the public and will positively affect almost every retail and logistical aspect of our operations. A technology investment at this level could not have been considered without Motorola’s reputation standing behind it.” “Building off the success of the MC70 EDA, Motorola’s best-selling rugged mobile computer for field mobility solutions, the new MC75 EDA is a testament to our continued ability to anticipate the ever-changing needs of today’s fast-growing global mobile workforce with features like GPS and 3G operability,” said Bob Chen, vice president and general manager of Mobile Computing, Motorola Enterprise Mobility Business.
Zahid Tractor/Renault
Zahid Tractor, the exclusive importer of Renault cars in Saudi Arabia, awarded Mahmed Al-Mutawakil with a Renault Megane for being the most active and leading participant to its oohlalarenault.com website campaign. Mutawakil sent out a total of 370,000 e-mail invitations through the oohlalarenault.com website that was launched by Zahid Tractor to offer Saudi youth, Renault car owners and non-owners, an ultra cool and interactive destination for a modern lifestyle. “Very interesting and impressive, truly Ooh..la..la,” said Mutawakil about the site, which he had found out from a friend. “I visited out of curiosity and to diversify my activities,” he said. The site provides information about Renault cars and all accessories available at Zahid showrooms. Visitors also get to find out about all Renault Club events and also exchange views with the members of the club. The website campaign is fast becoming one of most interesting and interactive sites for Saudi youth, said Yousuf Khaja, Renault franchise manager at Zahid Tractor. The Ooh..la..la campaign is aimed at linking Renault cars with the joyful lifestyle of Saudi youth.
GBCORP
GBCORP has announced the launch of its newly formed energy-focused subsidiary GEFSCO in Manama. GEFSCO, which was established as a result of an alliance between GBCORP and TDJ, will identify and structure investments in the oil and gas and power sectors. GEFSCO will provide advisory services to GBCORP in investment valuation, transaction structuring, negotiation and execution, post-investment management and exit strategy and exit execution. Target sectors range from upstream exploration and production to natural gas processing, refining, petrochemicals, oilfield services, power generation and related infrastructure. Investments will be conducted through special purpose vehicles conforming to Shariah rules and principles. At the event, benefits of the newly established subsidiary GEFSCO were highlighted, GEFSCO’s logo was revealed and GEFSCO’s newly appointed CEO Timothy Holder was introduced to the audience. A panel consisting of leading industry experts followed the announcement. The panelists included: Mark Hanson, CEO of GBCORP, Ahmed Al Khan, head of investment banking at GBCORP, Terry Newendorp, chairman and CEO of TDJ and Timothy Holder, the TDJ appointed CEO of GEFSCO. Khan said: “The alliance between GBCORP and TDJ will offer us an increased amount of choice in one of the fastest growing sectors in the Gulf.” Hanson said: “GBCORP is on the threshold of a new era of Islamic investment banking, focusing on building strategic investment bridges and linking the region to global markets. This calls for identifying key areas and leveraging global investment opportunities in core sectors, and energy happens to be one of the most lucrative areas.” Newendorp, said: “Our strategic alliance with GBCORP is a timely and exciting development, and builds on the existing relationship of our two institutions.”
Audi
German premium car manufacturer Audi now premieres former Audi Head Designer Walter de’Silva’s vision of the perfect coupe — the new Audi A5 — in the UAE. With its first coupe since 1996 Audi enters the highly emotionally charged coupe segment with a truly fascinating new model. The Audi A5, launched recently in Dubai and set to be unveiled in Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace on June 16, has been crafted into a modern grand tourer, based on a classic vehicle concept but given an excitingly new interpretation by Audi. Its striking appearance is achieved through the elegant yet sporty exterior lines which already hint at what lies beneath in terms of excellent dynamics. Thanks to its highly efficient 3.2 liter engine with an ample 265 bhp and 330 nm torque, quattro four-wheel drive and six-speed tiptronic gearbox, the four-seater two-door coupe revives even familiar roads with agility and sportiness. Generous proportions, comfortable seats, finest-grade leather as well as technical innovations like the Bang & Olufsen sound system and the Audi drive select — as a comfortable long-distance tourer the Audi A5 coupe comes with the quality and luxury-class equipment features associated with Audi.
