AL-JAIDAH BROTHERS

THE COMPANY

Early beginnings -

Since the 1880's, the Jaidah family has epitomized a way of life and a culture of business that has contributed to the country and its people. Ibrahim Yousef Jaidah, a merchant who owned vessels, founded the company in 1883 with his sons and imported commodities from India and Persia to market to Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. His sons maintained the business, and as the market evolved in the 1920's and 1930's, diversified into perfumes and electrical appliances. From car dealerships to partnering with world heavy-weights in the oil and construction markets, his grandsons today are managing companies that span the entire industry spectrum. The Al Jaidah Brothers brand is the legacy of an exceptional set of qualities that were embedded from birth into an institution that has matured into something unique.

The growth plan chalked out by the five brothers is in line with the vision laid down by the government of for the Qatar business market. the biggest plus of all is that the five brothers work together for one professional entity.

Abdullatif Mohammed Al Jaidah

Is the CEO of the Property Management division of Jaidah Brothers, which is known as Badgeer Properties.

Badgeer Properties (www.badgeer.com.qa) vision is to provide a safe, comfortable and enjoyable environment to live in. That together with maintaining a property that lasts for many years with the least operational costs and environmental Impact.

Over the few years since it's creation, it has developed to manage hundreds of residential units, commercial offices, industrial factories, a farm and a traditional boat Dhao.
Today, Badgeer properties have expanded to include a maintenance team, and continues to evolve with the expanding volume of properties the company continues to develop.

Abdullatif Jaidah studied in Qatar, England and The United States. Enjoys Ranching, Traveling, doing volunteer work and most of all spending time with the family and friends.
Believe in doing things according to a plan with professionalism ,to benefit the customer, the tenants and the company.
Also believe that a good business relation is the most valuable asset, it promote peaceful relations and benefit many communities and nations. That what our fathers have nurtured and we have vowed to preserve.

Ibrahim Mohammed Al Jaidah

"We differentiate ourselves not just in the way we communicate with consumers but in the very nature of the way we operate the business".

In 1990, when Ibrahim Mohammed Al Jaidah took over the reins of Arab Engineering Bureau, the company had a staff of seven people. Today AEB boasts of a staff of over 275 with a branch office in Abu Dhabi. The story of the company's revival has the usual ingredients – perseverance, vision, hard work and outstanding leadership – a framework by which Al Jaidah Brothers can achieve, and be measured for, standards of business excellence.

Ibrahim Al Jaidah graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Architecture, USA in 1988 and returned to Doha shortly thereafter. He then joined the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture heading the architecture section there. Ambitious from the very beginning, Ibrahim decided he needed to do something on his own and in 1990 purchased AEB. So while he spent mornings deciding and designing architectural plans for Qatar, his evenings saw him concentrate on his dream of 'building landmarks'. In 1993 Ibrahim resigned from the MMAA and decided to focus completely on AEB as the company was slowly beginning to make waves with their projects. Today AEB's projects include hotels, offices, high rise towers and schools in Qatar, the UAE, Turkey, Sudan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Cairo.Some of the company's ventures in Qatar include the Ministry of Economy and Commerce building, the arabesque Barzan Tower, and the Qatar Foundation headquarters which has the dual honour of being the recipient of the Arab City Awards for the 2nd best project in the whole Arab world and being immortalized on the face of Qatar's QR100 banknote.

Ibrahim's Al Dana Club was ranked number 1 and also won the Arab City Award for the best project in the Arab world. The Diplomatic Club won him the Islamic Capital Award and Ibrahim has been nominated thrice for the Agha Khan awards. Qatar recently bestowed on him the State Award for Arts, Culture and Architecture which coincided with AEB celebrating 40 years in the industry. Ibrahim is a board member of the Qatar Fine Arts Society, and also a member of the Qatar Businessmen's Forum and Young Arab Leaders whose members include royalty, CEOs and other key decision makers.

While the company may have started from modest beginnings,Ibrahim Al Jaidah has made sure its goals were always big, and today he joins hands with his brothers to take the Al Jaidah family legacy to even greater heights. "We decided to get together when we realized that with all the expertise among us we would indeed be considered a force to reckon with. Everything we do will be very hands on and professional. We wouldn't get into something we didn't understand. Our greatest strengths are that we are managers in the fields of real estate development, equity and technology and with Al Jaidah Brothers we aim to consolidate these strengths."

"Qatar's economy is thriving at the moment; it's the perfect environment to work in. The old shop in the Al Jaidah souq is where it all began. As history develops, so does the country's needs. This is where we, the new generation step in merging the traditional with the new. Al Jaidah Brothers W.L.L. is well placed to do this."

Salah Mohammed Al Jaidah

"With global changes bringing in brand awareness and new ideas we have opportunities for new businesses. Our company is going to become one of the leading players in the Qatari market."

Pioneering can be a poisoned chalice. Salah Mohammed Al Jaidah, a trailblazer in the Qatari banking industry and the Director of Al-Jaidah Brothers W.L.L., knows this better than most.

After graduating with a BBA in marketing and Finance from the Texas Christian University, Salah joined the Commercial Bank of Qatar's Retail Credit Department as supervisor in 1988. In a span of six years he moved up the ladder to become Assistant General Manager, and early in 2001 was appointed Deputy General Manager and COO thus taking upon himself responsibilities for all lending portfolio, Corporate, Retail, Project Finance. In July 2001, Salah Al Jaidah moved to Doha Bank as General Manager crafting a new corporate vision to define the bank's strategic direction. During his three year stint at the bank, profitability increased by an average of 70% every year. He was instrumental in improving the bank's rating with rating agencies and in getting Doha Bank the 'Bank of the Year' award. He also initiated a number of technological projects in line with international standards and restructured retail banking services by centralizing the back office operations. He assisted in establishing the Investment Company in Bahrain IIB and facilitated in negotiating the Memorandum of Understanding of United Gulf Bank UGB. In April 2004 Salah left Doha Bank to set up Al Jaidah Brothers W.L.L, handling the responsibilities as Director. The main purpose of his office is to manage the family's diversified assets and investment.

Striving for excellence is hardly something new for Salah Al Jaidah who is used to wearing more than one hat at any given time. He is a member of the committee of the Qatar British Association of Business 'Qabab'. He headed the Indo-Qatari Joint Business Council and is an ex-member of both the Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Qatari Committee in the International Monetary Fund. Passionate about learning, his career graph is interspersed with the numerous workshops and specialized banking courses he has attended. "Industry knowledge is one of the most powerful assets in developing a good business strategy. While it is important to know your own company, it is equally necessary to know your industry, your competitors, suppliers and channels."

"Innovation is what differentiates us from our competitors. Differentiation comes from strategy and execution. We differentiate ourselves not just in the way we communicate with consumers but in the very nature of the way we operate the business. A brand or franchise we bring to Qatar may have a global presence but we have the local distribution arrangement and expertise required to make it appropriate for the local market." A striking resoluteness of purpose has been a defining feature of the manner in which the Group has conducted its businesses. Consistency and credibility have been the other attributes that set the Al Jaidah's apart.

When the task is so momentous, it isn't anyone who can wear the crown. Salah Jaidah, as director of the group, is especially aware of this. The Jaidah brand has a heritage of prominence and is one of the most respected conglomerates in the region. The story of this outstanding marque, woven intricately into the fabric of modern Qatar, has many more chapters to come.

Tariq Mohammed Al Jaidah

"Today we have to ensure our entry into the future while keeping the good old traditions going and diversifying with the trends."

If perseverance is his attitude, speed is his passion. Tariq, Co-founder of the first international advertising agency in Qatar, Fortune Promoseven, thinks in the Western idiom, but follows the Eastern pattern in his behaviour. It is this duality that defines his character and his approach towards business.

Tariq graduated from the Texas Wesleyan University, USA, with a degree in Mass Communications – a double major in advertising and public relations. After returning to Qatar, he joined the tourism sector, working on promoting all government owned properties and Qatar as a tourist destination. Later on, Tariq joined Starwood as deputy general manager at the Doha Sheraton, one of the very first Qataris to join this sector. Then, he was called upon to take over the responsibilities of the Diplomatic Club by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Having facilitated the transformation of the hospitality industry in the country, Tariq decided to redirect his focus to his growing business.

Tariq's Gulf Space International, the first media house in the country, represented Al Jazeera. He was also instrumental in setting up a creative communications group that was responsible for organizing prominent events and cultural activities such as the Eid festival and the Qatar Summer Wonders. Tariq's openness to ideas has served him well throughout his career which has included him to various sports federations in Qatar such as tennis, golf and marine sports.

With unquenchable passion for everything unique and beautiful, Tariq sees arts as a creative passage into the human soul and a soothing haven away from the never-ending stresses of work. His appreciation for arts, especially, the Middle Eastern Art, has led him to be one of the serious Middle Eastern art collectors in the region. He started his first privately held art centre in Qatar "Waqif Arts Centre" and moved on to Katara Arts Centre presently located at Katara.

He currently manages all private businesses as managing partner as well as managing director of Al Jaidah Brothers. The five brothers have come together under one umbrella now pursuing new joint ventures. "With global changes bringing in brand awareness and new ideas we have opportunities for new businesses. Our company is going to become one of the leading players in the Qatari market especially in the core areas, the real estate and retail business."

"Today, we still do business the traditional way where a man's word means everything. This is reflected in our values with the five of us coming together, continuing the tradition of unity. Our main objective as we go on building the Al Jaidah Brothers brand is to continue upholding the heritage of our forefathers as one of the major trading houses of Qatar through the century."

Zeyad Mohammed Al Jaidah

"Over time we have imbibed innovative technologies and new business models to build dynamic and vibrant companies that are steeped in tradition, yet in sync with the modern world."

Zeyad Mohammed Al Jaidah, the Managing Director of Techno Q, is justifiably proud of his company's track record. Techno Q is today a leading provider of integrated systems solutions in the region, specialising in audiovisual, building controls, fire & security systems, lighting, information technology, broadcast, and hospitality management solutions. Employing the latest technology and system components, Techno Q works with clients in every sector, creating facilities for educational and governmental institutions, banking, healthcare, sporting venues and stadia, corporate offices, hotels, and international retailers.

Company's fast climb to occupy a position as one of the market leaders within the industry is a testament to the foresight and ambition of its founders.

Zeyad Jaidah graduated from Lamar University, USA, with a B.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering and began his career as a maintenance engineer with Qatar Petrochemical Co. in 1995. The same year he joined his brothers in founding Techno Q, a company specialising in low current systems integration and solutions. In 1998 he moved to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture as design engineer for the drainage department. In 2003 Zeyad Al Jaidah decided to fully concentrate on Techno Q as the company was carving out a niche for itself in the Qatar market. This move took the company into overdrive and Techno Q was soon winning projects for prestigious corporate clients such as HSBC, Commercial Bank of Qatar, Qatar Industrial Development Bank, Qatar National Bank, Bechtel, ExxonMobil, Qatar Petroleum and its subsidiaries, Shell, Schlumberger, the Ministries of Interior, Economy and Commerce, Foreign Affairs, the Diwan Amiri, Museum of Islamic Arts, Weill Cornell, Texas A&M, College of the North Atlantic, Qatar University and the prestigious university branches in Qatar, to name a few. One of Techno Q's recent projects included Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), where Techno Q completed one of the largest ever single audiovisual projects in the State of Qatar to date with the handover of Phase II of the building. The scope of the project encompassed audiovisual and complete lighting systems for exhibition halls, meeting rooms, hospitality suites, VVIP lounges and admin rooms.

For this project the company has received an international award and major industry recognition.

Focus on quality is Techno Q's forte and Zeyad sees Techno Q competing strongly in the region as well as globally. Techno Q is currently looking regionally for the right partners with solid local market insight and reputation, "as we bring quality, technical expertise and knowhow to the table." Combating competition is not new to Zeyad Al Jaidah whose stated guiding principle is to become 'globally competitive'. "We have the right tools, skilled technical staff and we work closely with the leading global technology brands to ensure that our system components and installations are always at the cutting edge of technology.

International companies cannot easily outperform us because in this business everything depends on the technology components and applications, and if a company possesses the technical capability, like we do, there's no reason why it can't be done."

Techno Q is presently a part of the Al Jaidah Brothers W.L.L. "The Group's priority right now is to expand subsidiaries to add to Oriental Furniture and Techno Q. We are working together to get other franchises for the whole region. The group plans to tap the unfulfilled and latent consumer needs in the country."

"Our openness to new ideas has served us well in the past. With our business acumen and different professional backgrounds it is best to describe the five of us as a business organization. Over time we have imbibed innovative technologies and new business models to build dynamic and vibrant companies that are steeped in tradition, yet in sync with the modern world. Being flexible, market and technology-savvy and responsive to consumer needs are qualities of Al Jaidah Brothers W.L.L. and I strongly believe that we are well-placed and prepared to serve and compete in today's dynamic marketplace."