KUWAIT
KGL Logistics, Kuwait
Country Rank: 1
CEO/MD: Mr. Ali Dashti
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 95%
2011 Revenue Range ($): $100-200 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 500
Industry: Distribution/Wholesale
Year Founded: 2005
Website: www.kgl.com
KGL Logistics, an affiliate of KGL Holding, is the newest member of the Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Company (KGL) family. Following in the very successful footsteps of KGL, the company has quickly grown to become a key player in the regional logistics market. Established in 2005 and headquartered in Kuwait, KGL Logistics has branch operations in Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The company provides high quality, cost-competitive Supply Chain services, specializing in warehousing, freight forwarding and stevedoring. Since 2008, second, third and fourth party logistics (2PL, 3PL and 4PL) are available through KGL Logistics warehousing services. Specialized technology overseen by a highly trained and experienced team enables the company to manage clients’ warehouses and inventory at the clients’ storage facilities.
An extensive international network of business partners and strategic partnerships with port authorities and shipping lines enables KGL Logistics to efficiently move goods around the globe. The utilization of state-of-the-art technology in warehouse management solutions has led to higher efficiency and lower costs for both the company and its clients.
KGL Logistics’ success has benefitted from the more than 40 years of experience of KGL, its parent company. KGL traces its roots back to 1956 when Esmail Dashti founded Dashti Construction Company which specialized in construction and stevedoring in Kuwait. In the 1970’s the company became the sole stevedoring contractor in Shuwaikh Port, thus launching its expansion into transportation and stevedoring.
Ongoing business expansions in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria led to KGL’s participation in the first privatization project in Saudi Arabia in 2000, where it won a 25 year contract to operate the Jeddah Islamic North Container Terminal as part of a consortium. Between 2004 - 2007, KGL’s extensive lines of business were spun off into separate units to enhance the efficiency and services of each sector and to create economies of scale for the group of companies.
QATAR
Momenta, Qatar
Country Rank: 1
CEO/MD: Mr. Suraj Thampi
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 129%
2011 Revenue Range: $10-20 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 200
Industry: Business and Technology Services
Year Founded: 2006
Website: www.momentaglobal.com
Momenta understands just how critical networking is in today’s business world. A stable network environment is key to an organization’s success. A poorly designed network can lead to a loss of productivity and revenue. If you can’t connect you can’t succeed. Momenta can take care of all of that. A multinational technology, media and telecommunications company based in Doha, Qatar, and in Dubai, Momenta uses outsourcing, human resource management and knowledge management to optimize operations and profitability. Established in 2006, Momenta has a growth rate of 129 percent between 2009-2011.
Its services range from technology-based infrastructure and support, to telecommunications support, developing and managing media spaces, outsourcing, Human Resource Management (HRM) and Knowledge Management (KM). Through its Build-Operate-Transfer, Lease-to-own and Lease models Momenta also provides technology infrastructure to clients who want to automate their processes but don’t want to incur heavy capital expenditure.
As a multinational company with a very diverse work force that services clients in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, India, Pakistan and North America, Momenta is able to understand client needs from almost every unique perspective. Included among its impressive and long list of clients are Abraaj Capital, Mercedes, Citibank, ictQatar, Aramex, Qatar Petroleum, Park Plaza, Al Waab City and Qatari Diar.
Human capital is the company’s greatest asset and Momenta continuously trains and develops its workforce through collective knowledge enablement and sharing. Every employee is considered a pillar in Momenta’s success. One of Momenta’s unique programs focuses on enabling women to enhance their work skills and abilities. The company runs multiple programs empowering women in the MENA region to become part of the global knowledge network.
Sidra Agriculture, Qatar
Country Rank: 2
CEO/MD: Eng. Hassam Al-Jaajaa
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 73%
2011 Revenue Range: $1-5 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 250
Industry: Environmental Services
Year Founded: 2005
Website: www.sidradoha.com
Established in 2005 in Doha, Qatar, Sidra Agriculture provides gardening, landscaping, and interior decoration services to its clients, which include residential and commercial offices. It specializes in construction and maintenance of large projects, as well as landscaping of public parks, streets, villas, homes, and outdoor areas. They provide interior-scaping, design, and both hardscape and softscape landscaping services.
“The quality of the product and [our] know-how places us well in the market,” says Sidra General Partner and Manager Hassan Al-Jaajaa. “Clients don’t always recognize the quality of the product, and don’t recognize the sustainability…They are driven by low cost instead of fair cost.” Sidra has also faced hurdles from Qatar’s heavily bureaucratic regulatory regime, which has made expansion significantly more challenging.
In spite of these challenges, Sidra continues to expand its offerings and break new ground. In 2011, Sidra launched a 4.5 hectare plant nursery, which cultivates indoor and outdoor plants for other companies. They are also introducing “eco-walls” to the Qatari market, which are large vertical installations with built-in vegetation.
Sustainability has also become the core of Sidra’s model which uses native and low-water plant species whenever possible for conservation and durability. “It’s important to interact well with our ecological environment,” says Al-JaaJaa. “ The present awareness and need to respect our environmental and cultural identity, as well as conserve our limited natural resources opens the opportunity for tailored landscape designs and contracting. “
Sidra is planning a strategic entry into neighboring markets, most significantly Saudi Arabia. As an Arabia 500 company that is ranked number two in Qatar Al-JaaJaa feels that “the sky is the limit. If you put in the right efforts and resources, and respect the prevailing conditions and factors, surely you will succeed.
SAUDI ARABIA
Tejoury Ltd., Saudi Arabia
Country Rank: 2
CEO/MD: Mr. Salman Alsudeary
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 408%
2011 Revenue Range: $1-5 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 85
Industry: Professional & Consulting Services
Year Founded: 2007
Website: www.tejoury.com
Tejoury Ltd. is a leading Records Management company that provides complete archiving solutions and off-site storage facilities for clients. Along with its affiliates, Tejoury offers cost-effective records management solutions worldwide and opens new data facilities on a regular basis. Established in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2007, Tejoury and its foreign affiliates draw on more than 30 years of collective experience working with diverse public and private-sector clients in numerous international markets.
A commitment to customer service, leading-edge technology, and research and development has placed Tejoury at the top of its industry. Ranked third in the coveted Arabia500 listing for companies in Saudi Arabia, Tejoury had a growth rate of 408 percent between 2009-2011 and has a current revenue range of 1-5 million USD. CEO Alsudeary notes that the exposure his company received through the Arabia500 listing has been a great morale boost for his 85 employees and a way to strengthen his corporate team.
The company specializes in working with clients in the areas of document workflow and process, archival solutions consulting, and off-site document storage. The majority of client records are stored in off-site archives. Tejoury can also adapt its systems to meet specific client needs using specialized software to maximize efficiency and prevent human error. Other services offered by Tejoury include client “in-house” archive management, data tape storage, date imaging and advisory services, collection and delivery of documents and secured and confidential destruction of documents.
As a leader in the industry Tejoury maintains rigorous standards for service, safety and security and complies with all regional regulations. It is a longstanding member of PRISM (Professional Records & Information Services Management) - an international trade association.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Ecobility Energy Solutions, UAE
Country Rank: 1
CEO/MD: Mr. Karim Aly
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 364%
2011 Revenue Range: $1-5 Million
2011 Number of Employees:
Industry: Trading
Year Founded: 2008
Website: www.ecobility.ae
Sustainability is a corporate state of being and the overriding ethos at Ecobility Energy Solutions. Founded in 2007, the Dubai-based private-sector CleanTech company champions sustainable development, ecological footprint reduction and heightened environmental awareness in the MENA region. Ecobility’s objective is to tackle sustainability-related challenges through collaboration, thought leadership and innovation.
As environmental and social responsibility becomes increasingly important to businesses throughout the MENA region, Ecobility’s mission is to translate the theory of sustainability into real economic results. The company’s Venture Unit assists clients in creating a portfolio of socially responsible start-up assets. It offers managerial and operational guidance, as well as access to relationships. Ecobility’s investment philosophy focuses on holistic value creation and identifies opportunities that deliver triple bottom line returns - people, planet and profit.
Clients also have access to Ecobility’s Advisory Board, which includes leading experts from the public, private and academic sectors in the fields of carbon management, resource optimization, and project and policy development. Included among its diverse clientele are Emaar, the Dubai World Trade Center, Nakheel, Aramex, Barclays, the Masdar Institute and the Crowne Plaza Hotels.
Ecobility practices what it preaches. It sets a standard by maintaining a workplace that is eco-friendly: printing on 100 percent recycled paper, using only energy efficient CFL and LED lighting, getting off the grid by unplugging all equipment at the end of the workday, recycling and banning the use of disposable water bottles. A portion of its profit supports local initiatives that benefit the community and its “intern-preneurship” program provides a select university or graduate student with the tools and support to grow a commercially-viable environmental idea from concept to reality. Ecobility has 365 percent growth rate over 2009-11.
OnTime, UAE
Country Rank: 3
CEO/MD: Mr. Waleid Abdulkareim
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 236%
2011 Revenue Range: $10-20 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 160
Industry: Business Services
Year Founded: 2003
Website: www.on-time.ae
After working in government for three years and a stint with his older brother in PR, Walid Abdulkareen launched OnTime to revolutionize how governments service deliver. Established in 2003 in Dubai, Walid wanted to deliver government services quickly and be a “peace of mind provider to the people.” It turns out this was a great business model as the company has grown 236% between 2009 and 2011.
Blending his zest for efficient service with a background in PR, Walid created OnTime stores that feel more like an Apple store than a government office. At OnTime’s dozens of branded stores, you are greeted with bright lighting, wall sized computer screens, and designer decorated seating. The process moves swiftly until you meet with a welcoming and efficient Emiratis, most of them women. OnTime is the one-stop shop for many government service including company registration, translations, passport and visa, documents legalization and car registration. “At On Time, we not only save you time, we make it happen.” Walid is also proud to employ more than 200 Emiratis.
OnTime’s staff members are measured by the number of transactions they complete. Those falling below 20 transactions a shift are let go, and those with more than 40 transactions get a bonus. OnTime is able to deliver services cheaper than the government itself, and the company has expanding relationships with entities such as Tas’heel Service, Dubai Economic Development, Emirates, Dubai Court and Dubai Health Authority, as well as corporate clients. OnTime is expanding its stores throughout the UAE and has plans to operate Middle East-wide, and beyond.
In January 2010, On Time CEO Waleid Abdulkareim received the Professional Service Award from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium-size (SMS) Enterprises. The award acknowledged the company’s ability to offer its clients the ultimate experience at competitive prices, excellent value and always “On - time.”
German Imaging Technologies, UAE
Country Rank:
CEO/MD: Dr. Sassan Dieter Khatib-Shahidi
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 59%
2011 Revenue Range: $1-5 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 55
Industry: Manufacturing & Packaging
Year Founded: 1999
Website: www.gitdubai.com
Established in 1999, German Imaging Technologies (GIT) has been the leading manufacturer of environmentally friendly compatible toner cartridges in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since 2007. GIT markets and sells its products to more than 2500 corporate customers in the UAE and exports to 18 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The company’s headquarters and plant are located in Dubai, with offices in Abu Dhabi and Frankfurt, Germany.
In addition to leading the market in toner cartridges, GIT specializes in document printing solutions, printer service and maintenance, and advises UAE clients on workspace printing requirements. Whatever the client requires to set up a cost efficient and environmentally sound print environment, GIT covers all needs in a one-stop-shop concept. The company also offers partnership opportunities for distributors and authorized resellers who wish to capitalize on GIT’s regional brand in the MENA region.
Given its success in the UAE, CEO Dr. Sassan Dieter Khatib-Shahidi would like to see his company expand its operations to other core GCC markets such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman. Being ranked as an Arabia500 entrepreneur has been encouraging to Khatib-Shahidi. “It opens our eyes to what we have been doing right, but even more to what we need to be doing in the future to maintain and accelerate growth.”
Khatib-Shahidi’s PhD in Law and his years working as an attorney in Germany clearly prepared him for the challenge of being an entrepreneur. “Look at every challenge as a virtue. If these challenges burden you or seem to be difficult, then entrepreneurship may not be the right thing for you. But if you live for these challenges and are able to solve them, then you are probably on the right path.”
Just Falafel, UAE
Country Rank:
CEO/MD: Mr. Mohammed Bitar
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate:
2011 Revenue Range:
2011 Number of Employees:
Industry:
Year Founded:
Website: www.justfalafel.com
Mohammed Bitar, founder and MD of Just Falafel recalls being laughed at when he first proposed starting a falafel restaurant. “Falafel is a part of our tradition but it is a poor man’s food,” he explained, recalling that the Dubai Food Court hung up on him the first time he called about renting a space there for his falafel restaurant.
Today Bitar is the one laughing….all the way to the bank. Since he opened his first restaurant in Abu Dhabi in 2007, Just Falafel has become the largest falafel chain in the world and one of the fastest growing. There are franchises in the UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, India, and in England. Additional franchises are in the works in Australia, Canada and the United States
Bitar’s dream was to revolutionize the world of fast food with a healthy and delicious alternative - falafel. For the first two years he used his own money, but it was hard to continue. “You don’t have the banking history or the requirements needed for a loan. We had two options - open our own stores which would require capital, or franchising. So we chose franchising where other people would invest in our brand.
It worked and his Just Falafel franchises are spreading globally. The falafels are made-to-order from fresh premium vegetables and ingredients and the kitchen follows strict hygiene standards that meet local and global health standards. The shops have a modern gourmet setting and suddenly the poor man’s falafel is dining in style.
JORDAN
Rubicon Group Holding, Jordan
Country Rank: 1
CEO/MD: Mrs. Randa Ayoubi
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 673%
2011 Revenue Range: $20-50 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 336
Industry: Animation
Year Founded: 1994
Website: www.rubiconholding.com
Rubicon Group Holding (RGH) is the antidote to mindless media. Launched by Randa Ayoubi in 1994 as a small venture capital project, her vision was to create quality entertainment that captivates the human mind. Eighteen years later Rubicon’s world-class team of 300 employees has set a new standard for entertainment worldwide.
“We believe in entertainment” is the motto of the global transmedia company whose employees span four international locations - Amman, Los Angeles, Manila and Dubai. Combining the talents of entertainment industry veterans with the creativity of a new generation of thinkers provides a unique perspective for the design of digital content and immersive entertainment. RGH specializes in multi-platform digital production, educational content and location-based themed entertainment. It is one of the more successful emerging market companies.
As a vertically integrated business, RGH develops brands internally and with select partners to create successful franchises for the entertainment, education and business markets. Current strategic partners include Modern Electronic Company, Sesame Street Workshop, Turner Broadcasting, Paramount Studios, Classic Media, Etisalat, Sony and MGM. In September 2012, RGH Entertainment, a division of RGH, launched a new content partnership with Ameba, a multi-platform leader in children’s programming, in order to promote its new animated children’s series Ben and Izzy.
RGH’s vision and company mission is to deliver responsible, high quality family entertainment. It is a cutting-edge production and development facility where its creative staff conceives, designs, directs and produces programs for a wide range of media: film and television, commercials and corporate video production, games and applications, webisodic content, theme park development, IP acquisition and localization, and licensing and marketing.
Feynan Ecolodge, Jordan
Country Rank: 2
CEO/MD: Mr. Nabil Tarazi
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 203%
2011 Revenue Range: $100,000 to $1 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 29
Industry: Travel & Tourism
Year Founded: 2009
Website: www.feynan.com
Nabil Tarazi, founder and CEO of EcoHotels, describes Feynan Ecolodge as much more of a unique experience than a stay at a hotel. Constructed in 2005 by renowned Jordanian architect Ammar Khammash and located at the western edge of Jordan’s pristine Dana Biosphere Reserve, National Geographic’s Adventure Magazine has ranked Feynan one of the top 50 ecolodges in the world.
In 2009, EcoHotels, a private company dedicated to responsible ecotourism and environmental awareness took over the management and operation of Feynan from the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), which retains ownership of the lodge. “We had to build the whole infrastructure from zero,” explains Tarazi.
Today the 26-room, 60-person capacity lodge is a model for ecotourism, social responsibility and sustainability in the region. Its 25 staff members are 100 percent from local communities and Feynan provides enough additional work to sustain 80 local families. Approximately 45 percent of the ecolodge’s profit is subsequently returned directly to the community. Water is sourced from a nearby spring, waste is recycled and composted, laundry is air dried, light is provided by locally-produced candles and electricity is generated through solar/photovoltaic panels. Feynan is the only ecolodge in Jordan that is not connected to the electricity grid.
Ecotourism is flourishing as mass tourism and sight-seeing gives way to more interactive, cross-cultural “sight-doing,” says Tarazi, whose plan is to replicate the success of Feynan. “The concept of having another 20 ecolodges in Jordan is viable,” he notes, adding that EcoHotels will start in Jordan and eventually expand in the region.
Izzat Marji Group, Jordan
Country Rank: 6
CEO/MD: Mr. Izzat Marji
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 114%
2011 Revenue Range: $20-50 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 176
Industry: Consumer Services
Year Founded: 1985
Website: www.marji.jo
What began in 1985 as a small private company that sold central heating systems evolved into Jordan’s premier supplier for heating systems, air conditioning and sanitary supplies during the last two decades. Today, the Izzat Marji Group has more than 100 employees, most of whom are engineers with a broad range of experience. With approximately 2000 square meters of showroom and office space in several locations around Jordan, the company carries more than 40 state-of-the-art brands and has completed over 5000 projects. It grew at a rate of 114 percent during the past year.
“I believe that the best days are still to come,” says CEO Basil Marji, son of founder Izzat. “The future is looking tremendously exciting for us. We will continue to maintain our market leadership through further diversification of our product lines and value added services, and enhancement of customer service. Expansion plans are being implemented to develop new products and to gain more markets.”
Currently the company has three different showrooms and offices in Um Sumaq, Khalda and Amman. The showrooms serve as one-stop-shopping primarily for electromechanical contracting companies, hotels, industries, hospitals and households. Keeping up with the many environmental challenges facing 21st century consumers, Izzat Marji Group offers its customers a wide range of new products that include water and energy saving systems.
Excellent products, proper installation and reliable service have been key to the company’s success, as are as its human resources, which the Izzat Marji Group considers its most valuable asset. The company provides professional training on a regular basis for its employees, consultants and technicians on all industry related issues. “There are always new technologies and trends that keep the business exciting,” says Marji. “It is stimulating and enriching for our staff who really gain an enormous understanding of the different business sectors.”
Being a part of the Arabia 500 companies is a new experience for the Izzat Marji Group. “It will be good exposure with our market and community,” comments Marji. “We will definitely exchange thoughts about best business practices and that can help all of us to grow and enhance our businesses.”
LEBANON
INTRAMURO, Lebanon
Country Rank:
CEO/MD: Mr. Karim Majdalani
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 408%
2011 Revenue Range: $10-20 Million
2011 Number of Employees:
Industry: Construction & Engineering
Year Founded: 2002
Website: www.intramuro.com
INTRAMURO interior designs evoke memories of a time when Lebanon was considered the Paris of the Orient and elegance was the rule and not the exception. Exquisite taste, a keen eye for details and dedication to excellence characterize INTRAMURO’s beautiful interior contracting solutions.
Established in 2002, INTRAMURO specializes in delivering integrated interior contracting solutions. Its projects include residential, hospitality, commercial, corporate and public spaces. The company also provides furniture and furnishings to major hotels and restaurants in Lebanon, the Middle East, the Gulf and Europe. It operates its own in-house joinery and woodwork manufacturing facility equipped with state-of-the art European equipment. Upholstery is done in house and the equipment is operated by expert tradesmen, each of whom has over 14 years of experience.
INTRAMURO’s dedicated team of architects, consultants, contractors and laborers bring extensive international experience with them to the job and broaden the company’s scope of work. The team is renowned for its ability to offer creative solutions for a client’s needs and its mission is to “bring interiors to life with a global vision and an eye for detail.” Projects such as the Phoenicia Intercontinental Hotel, the Kempinski Hotel, Le Vendome and the Summerland Resort are all testimonies to a mission well accomplished.
In the decade since it was founded, INTRAMURO has evolved from a small start-up to a successful international company. The company has grown 408 percent and it has been named a Lebanon 25 company and an Arabia 500 winner. It clearly has designs on an even more successful future.
PALESTINE
Al Nasher Technical Services, Palestine
Country Rank: 1
CEO/MD: Mr. Sa’d Q Abdulhadi
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 12%
2011 Revenue Range: $1-5 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 55
Industry: Marketing, Advertising, Sales, Business Development
Year Founded: 1990
Website: www.enasher.com
For more than 20 years, a leading advertising, public relations and marketing agency in the Middle East has been thriving in one of the most conflict-ridden areas of the world - Palestine. Founded in 1990, Al Nasher grew out of CEO Sa’d Q Abdulhadi’s years of experience providing graphic design solutions in the Middle East and Europe, and working in software development for the Arabic desktop publishing industry.
Recognized today as one of the top agencies in the MENA region, Al Nasher is a full-service integrated marketing and communications company with offices in Ramallah, Amman and Dubai. The agency offers a wide range of services from marketing and communications, to media planning and placement, events management, research and training, and technical services which encompass everything from software solutions to animation and games. One of Al Nasher’s largest projects was branding, designing and overseeing everything from construction to press conferences for the inaugural Palestine ICT Exhibition- ExpoTech in 2004. ExpoTech is the largest and most professional ICT exhibition in Palestine.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the workplace and community is an inherent part of Al Nasher’s business philosophy. The agency has initiated programs that enable citizens and civic organizations to direct the development of their community. It offers training in the practices of advertising, public relations, presentation skills and communications to facilitate this goal. Successful public relations, advertising, branding and community outreach programs have been implemented by Al Nasher in Palestine such as the Palestinian Agribusiness Partnership Activity (PAPA) project and the Palestinian Investment Promotion Agency (PIPA), to name a few.
Business is not just about making money for Al Nasher, it’s about making a difference. “Our values are focused on the people who make us successful: our employees and their families, our customers, our suppliers, our investors and our local communities in which we live and work. By maintaining accountability to these people, we will be a profitable and highly valued business.”
EGYPT
Hindawi Publishing Company, Egypt
Country Rank: 1
CEO/MD: Dr. Ahmed Hindawi
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 346%
2011 Revenue Range: $10-20 Million
2011 Number of Employees:
Industry: Media, Publishing & Printing
Year Founded: 2001
Website: www.hindawi.com
Established in 1997 as a subscription-based publisher, today Hindawi Publishing Corporation is a renowned commercial publisher of more than 300 open access, peer-reviewed journals that cover a wide range of academic subjects in science, technology, medicine and the social sciences. Hindawi’s Editorial Boards consist of more than 40,000 internationally-recognized editors who maintain the highest standards in peer review. Based in the Cairo Free Zone in Nasr City, Cairo, the company has approximately 600 employees and it has experienced a dynamic 346 percent growth rate since 2001. Hindawi’s U.S. office is located in New York City.
Hindawi experienced an 80 percent increase in the number of submissions to its 300 plus open access journals from March 2011 to March 2012. Mohamed Hamdy, Hindawi’s Editorial Manager, attributes much of the company’s growth to the increased coverage of Hindawi journals by the major Abstracting and Indexing Services, such as PubMed, the Web of Science and Scopus, among others. “We now have more than 30 journals indexed in the Web of Science and close to 150 journals indexed in PubMed, and as the indexing of our journals continues to expand I expect we will see very strong growth in the submission to these journals,” says Hamdy.
During the past two years, Hindawi has also been developing several independent journal platforms, each with a specific editorial focus. An ISRS series (www.isrn.com/) was launched in mid-2010 to provide a fast-track review process for all submitted manuscripts. Two additional platforms - Datasets International (www.datasets.com/ ) and Conference Papers in Science (www.cpis.com/) are expected to build significant future momentum for the company.
All of Hindawi’s content is archived in Portico, which provides permanent archiving for electronic scholarly boards. The company is a member of numerous international industry organizations such as the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP), the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Association of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers (STM), among others.
A. Fakhry & Co., Egypt
Country Rank: 2
CEO/MD: Mr. Hussein Fakhry
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 207%
2011 Revenue Range: $5-10 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 35
Industry: Consumer Goods
Year Founded: 2005
Website: www.afakhry.com
A.Fakhry & Co. is a family owned and run company that dates back to 1955, when it was founded by Ahmed M. Fakhry. During his 27 years at the helm of the company Fakhry introduced the concept of aromatics as alternative crops in the Nile Delta and brought the company to the forefront of the world’s Flavor and Fragrance (F&F) industry with the production of 100 percent pure and natural Egyptian aromatic raw materials. The oldest family-owned industrial business in the field of aromatics in Egypt, A. Fakhry & Co. facilities are located in the heart of the Nile Delta in Qutur.
In 1997, Ahmed’s son Hussein took over the reins of the family enterprise which continues to devote itself to the extraction of aromatic raw materials from botanicals (essential oils, concretes, absolutes, extracts, and hydrolytes). Today the company represents approximately 25 percent of Egypt’s total production of aromatic raw materials, as well as 75 percent of Egypt’s certified organic aromatic raw material. It has its own in-house labs to identify and verify the 100 percent pure and natural character of its products.
Under the current stewardship of Hussein and his wife Cherifa, who has a degree in Aromatic Botanical Agronomy from Cairo University, A. Fakhry & Co.’s R&D has developed a new extraction technique that provides a certified organic alternative to petroleum-based extraction processes. In addition, the company’s farming network has been expanded throughout Egypt to include a 50 year old conventional network of partner farms that grow aromatic botanicals, as well as a 10 year old certified organic farming network. A. Fakhry & Co. has the largest distillation units in Egypt.
IP Magix, Egypt
Country Rank: 3
CEO/MD: Mr. Hossam Megahad
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 205%
2011 Revenue Range: $1-5 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 32
Industry: Computer Networking & Software
Year Founded: 1998
Website: www.ipmagix.com
IPMagix is a leader in unified communications (UC) solutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region. Established in Cairo, Egypt in 1998, the company has developed innovative application software that helps lower costs, boosts productivity and strengthens channels of communication for clients across a wide range of sectors. Its three main UC solution applications - IP Telephony, IP TV and Mobility deliver the benefits of voice, video and data convergence to companies working in the financial, hospitality, enterprise, retail, health, education, aviation and real estate sectors.
Since its founding the company has experienced a growth rate of 205 percent and maintained steady revenue growth even during the 2011 Arab Spring and Egyptian revolution. It has been the only certified Cisco Solution Developer (CDN) in the MENA region since 2004 and the company has built up an impressive list of regional partners including Microsoft, Fenestrae, Etisalat, Vodafone, Commercial International Bank, Egypt Post and Movenpick, among many others.
IPMagix views UC as its “champion” for years to come, says CEO Hossam Megahad. “We envision a series of global opportunities in this booming field.” The increasing use of UC in the MENA region signifies major opportunities for IPMagix especially in the hospitality, aviation and education sectors, according to Megahad. “We will continue to develop our low cost, high-quality software development and programming center in Egypt, which provides significant cost-advantages over U.S. and Europe-based competitors,” he notes.
A subsidiary of Middle East Network Solutions (MNS), a pioneer in the field of application development software in the MENA region, IPMagix is now at a stage where it is poised to aggressively target the global market in the next two years.
TUNISIA
SAMSTECH, Tunisia
Country Rank: 1
CEO/MD: Mr. Samir Ben Taieb
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 317%
2011 Revenue Range: $100,000 to $1 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 13
Industry: Computer Networking & Software
Year Founded: 2004
Website: www.sams-tech.com
SAMSTECH is a Tunisian-based integrator of technology solutions that was founded in 2004. After a successful career with Creative Labs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and with Hewlett Packard in Tunisia, founder and CEO Samir Ben Taieb took a leap of faith and set up his company with four employees and a $200,000 investment.
It paid off. SAMSTECH benefited from being the first local firm to enter a niche market and it grew 317 percent between 2009-2011. The company decided to focus on leading regional and national public sector clients and in 2008, it entered into partnerships with Citrix, HP and 3M among others. Since then the company has earned a reputation for delivering high value-added IT consulting and integrator solutions using cutting- edge technology.
In 2010, SAMSTECH set up the first national virtual call center for Tunisia Telecom. “We have been involved in several complex IT projects in Africa and we are proud to have the Governments of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco as customers,” says Taieb. One of the company’s most challenging projects was completed last year when SAMSTEC H partnered with ten other Tunisian companies to put together an E-learning and Visio conference for the Tunisian Universities.
SAMSTECH has an efficient project-based management model. It outsources administrative, Human Resources (HR) and financial functions in order to focus on its core technical business. The company also invests highly in training its staff and promoting entrepreneurship among the co-workers.
Plans to expand his team and launch new products tailored to the needs of the education sector and telecom operators are in the works according to Taieb.
CYNAPSYS, Tunisia
Country Rank: 3
CEO/MD: Mr. Imed Ammar
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 38%
2011 Revenue Range: $1-5 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 100
Industry: Software Services & Products
Year Founded: 2004
Website: www.cynapsys.de
Created in 2004, CYNAPSYS is a dynamic player in the consulting and computing engineering services business. In addition to its core office in Tunisia, Cynapsys has subsidiaries in France and Germany. Initially focused on catering to the European and international markets, Cynapsys has since launched several local initiatives in the automobile and health sectors, and is planning to explore the renewable energy industry.
Imed Ammar, a computer engineer and international IT expert, joined Cynapsys in October 2005 as its managing director. Since then, Ammar has built up the company from 21 employees in 2004 to a current total of 140 Cynapsys’ human capital has highly influenced its success and is considered the backbone of its development strategy.
The company is currently located in the Elgazala technopole, which “leads to increased work dynamics and international exposure that is considered key to the sustainability and survival of the company, says Turki. The Cynapsys team is always on the look for national and international investment to finance its sophisticated R&D activities. Currently, the official source of financing is the Ministry of Industry and Technology; however, further efforts are being made to facilitate additional funding for R&D projects.
Cynapsys is one of the 10 members of Get’IT, the first Tunisian consortium dedicated to the export of ICT services by national companies. Get’IT numbers more than 1,000 members, and promotes services developed by its members to reinforce their presence beyond Tunisia. Cynapsys also encourages their employees to become new entrepreneurs. “In this sense, Cynapsys is an incubator because it is contributing to the creation of other start-ups and subsequently more job opportunities in Tunisia,” says Turki.
PAKISTAN
E2e, Pakistan
Country Rank: 2
CEO/MD: Mr. Abid Butt
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 892%
2011 Revenue Range: $50-100 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 412
Industry: Transportation & Aviation
Year Founded: 2006
Website: www.e2escm.com
In 2005, Abid Butt launched e2e, now one of Pakistan's leading providers of end-to-end logistics services, specializing in international and local Air/ Ocean freight. Relying on his international industry expertise and an MBA from INSEAD, Butt founded e2e to tap a growing global market of movement of goods. “What I love about logistics,” says Abid “is that you always have to be at the edge of your seat. It is always exciting.”
Abid”s mission is to make e2e not only the number one logistics company in Pakistan and in South and Central Asia, but to also solve the biggest agricultural problem in Pakistan. Currently 40 percent of Pakistan’s agricultural produce is lost because of bad logistics. This places a tremendous burden on a country that depends on agricultural produce to feed its population- the sixth largest in the world - and to generate much needed export revenue. The e2e team is experimenting with a system to get produce from farms to markets with only three to four percentage of wastage.
One of e2e’s most challenging projects is in Afghanistan. Almost all the needs of the people and NGOs in Afghanistan have to be trucked in across some of the roughest terrain in the world - food, construction equipment, medicines, tents, and refrigerated cargo. The route from Pakistan to Afghanistan is the largest refrigerated cargo route in the world.
In early 2012, e2e achieved the number 1 spot on the Pakistan 100 as the only logistics company. “We were inspired to push ourselves and our ideas further by being a Pakistan100 winner. Having an independent organization appreciate what we have achieved means a lot to our team.”
Exceed, Pakistan
Country Rank: 3
CEO/MD: Sardar Manokhel
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 821%
2011 Revenue Range: $50-100 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 417
Industry: Construction & Engineering
Year Founded: 2004
Website: www.exceed.pk
Sardar Manokhel is not just the founder of Exceed, the number two Pakistan 100 company, he is the youngest entrepreneur on the Pakistan 100 list. And he also happens to be the tribal leader of the Manokhel tribe.
Manokhel found Exceed, an IT company in early 2001 when he was just 24 years old. In the aftermath of 9-11, when many IT companies in Pakistan lost their international customers overnight, leveraging his business degree and background in IT, Sardar repositioned Exceed to focus on construction, but with a new twist. Exceed uses IT systems to create highly efficient turnkey construction projects. In less than a decade, Exceed has developed the capacity to design and build some of the largest infrastructure projects in roads, bridges, dams and housing all while completing the project on schedule. Exceed is best known for Saidpur Model Village, the historic redevelopment of an 18th Century Moghul city that today is as an open-air museum, as well as home to 5,000 residents.
2011 has been a busy year for Manokhel. Exceed opened offices in Dubai and London and launched Exceed schools in major cities of Pakistan. The software/engineering side of the business has been reactivated and Manokhel is waiting for final government approval to launch a satellite TV station. Apart from business, he founded the “United Pakistan Party,” a countrywide political party “of which he is the President and Chairman. In his spare time, he launched a daily Urdu and English Newspaper and assumed the role of Editor-in-Chief.
TURKEY
Namet Gida Sanayi ve Ticaret, Turkey
Country Rank:
CEO/MD: Mr. Nurettin Kayar
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 937%
2011 Revenue Range: $200-500 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 758
Industry: Food Industry
Year Founded: 1998
Website: www.namet.com.tr
Namet prides itself on being the modern face of the Turkish food industry. Established in 1929, Namet had been producing natural deli products for over 81 years when it formed a partnership with Turkey’s pioneering meat producer, the Kayarlar Group, in 2005. Founded over four generations ago as a family company, Kayarlar became Turkey’s primary meat supplier in the 1940s. As of 2010, the Kayarlar group has been distributing all of its products under the Namet brand.
This critical partnership propelled both companies to the pinnacle of Turkey’s food production and distribution sector. Today, Namet’s 150 products range from deli meats to fresh meat, advanced processed products to frozen foods - all of which are produced in the most advanced meat production facility in Turkey.
In 2010, Namet’s $68 million production facility was officially launched by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It is the first such facility in the Turkish meat and meat-product industry that fully meets the EU Hygiene Standards. Located in Cayirova, the factory employs 700 people directly and 40,000 families indirectly. It has the first butcher school to open within a private facility in Turkey, as well as a conference hall that will be used for education and training programs.
SEM Plastik, Turkey
Country Rank:
CEO/MD: Mr. Yavuz Eroglu
2009-2011 Standard Growth Rate: 46%
2011 Revenue Range: $50-100 Million
2011 Number of Employees: 239
Industry: Manufacturing and Packaging
Year Founded: 1983
Website: www.semplastik.com.tr
SEM Plastik is one of the fastest growing companies in Turkey and in the Middle East and it’s on its way to surpassing its European competitors and becoming a global brand. “We didn’t have a business plan when we started and the competition was our biggest challenge,” says CEO Yavuz Eroglu who took over the reins of the family company in 2002. “We wanted to move forward with our idea and along the way we changed a lot of our original plans. But our company turned out to be one of the most successful businesses in Turkey and we now export to 80 countries worldwide. ”Today, SEM Plastik is the leading Turkish exporter of manufactured goods”.
Established in 1975 by Namit Kemal Eroglu, father of the current CEO, the Istanbul-based company remains family-owned and operated under the current visionary leadership of his son Yavuz. What began as a small company that manufactured plastic spare parts for agricultural machinery in Istanbul has evolved into a leader in the plastic industry in Turkey.
SEMPlastik produces 1,500,000 plastic plates and 2,800,000 plastic cups on a daily basis in its state-of-the-art inline production facility. This production level is a first in Turkish manufacturing capacity. The company also has the largest range of products in their industry, all of which are recyclable. As a green and socially responsible company, SEMPlastik uses high efficiency machinery that lowers their carbon footprint and minimizes emission output. Eager to expand the company’s global outreach and production capabilities, CEO Yavuz is investing 200Million USD to build a new state-of-the-art 20,000 square meter plant in Turkey with an anticipated 2013 completion date.
SEMPlastik supplies disposable plastic products to more than 50 international airlines. Its global customers include McDonalds, Coca Cola, Migros, Danone, Turkish Airlines, Carrefour and Finanzbank among many more. Investments in Research&Development are an important part of SEMPlastik’s business plan and future goals. SemStudio, the company’s creative workshop was designed to generate innovative ideas for their evolving product line.
According to Yavuz the key to success is believing in yourself and loving what you do. “And there’s a good thing about success,” emphasizes Yavuz. “If you share it, it gets bigger. If we put our success on the table we can attract more customers and more investors.”
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