Kingston Group: Wearing several hats

Lalu Samuel is the Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Kingston Group. Kingston Holdings owns one of the largest manufacturing companies in the Middle East  that comprises several manufacturing units that process plastic and metal.

Samuel has been living in the UAE for the last 37 years. Apart from the current position, he is the CEO and Managing Director of several multinational joint ventures including GP Batteries Middle East, Glen Dimplex Middle East and Pierlite Middle East.

Samuel holds an esteemed position in the Industries Group, which consists of 2,700 manufacturing units under the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the last eight years and is a member of the board of directors of the  Indian Business and Professional Council, Sharjah. He is also one of the permanent members of the Board of Trustees of India Trade and Exhibition Centre.

"Kingston Holdings, based in Sharjah Airport International Free (Saif) Zone, is one of the largest manufacturers of electrical products in the Middle East with its flagship brand Rexton," he says in an interview with Khaleej Times.

Kingston is also the largest investor in the Saif Zone with one million square feet land area and over 700,000 square feet built up area. The manufacturing units produce over 1,200 products and are exported to over 120 countries worldwide. All manufacturing units are certified to ISO9001, 14001, and 18001.

"The products manufactured are certified to all international standards. Apart from the above, we are involved in several joint ventures with substantially large multinational companies," Samuel adds.

One of them is GP batteries. GP is the third largest battery company in the world with $7.5-billion turnover employing 17,000 people. GP manufactures 3.6 billion batteries in a year and has 60 per cent world market share of nine-volt batteries. Kingston is a joint venture (JV) partner for over 60 countries.

Kingston also has a JV with Glen Dimplex of Ireland. It is a 2 billion euro group that employs over 10,000 people with 36 brands and is the largest heating appliance manufacturer in the world. The company handles Xpelair, Morphy Richards, Burco, LEC, Redring and Dimplex brands from the group.

Samuel elaborates on the factors that contributed to his success. "Support from the government authorities, (ability to meet, discuss and solve complicated problems at any time), strategic location and fully automated manufacturing units' ability to manufacture and deliver products that meet all international standards. Access to world-class infrastructure (road network, ports, airports, uninterrupted communication and power) are some of the factors that help any business succeed. We have access to all the above and more."

Notes Samuel, "It has one of the best manufacturing infrastructure, which competes with any international brand, using reputed German, Italian, and British machinery. We respond quickly to customer requirements. These investments give a strong edge over the competition."

Elaborating on market trends, he says, "As a manufacturer, we are always positive. The market goes through different cycles, but as a group that has made substantial investments in infrastructure, it is geared to face various seasonal trends. We are quite positive as we have a strategic location."

Rexton is the flagship brand of the group, and is undoubtedly an accepted brand that is equal or better than any international brands or products. Over 5,000 brands manufactured under the Rexton brand has all international accreditations and approvals like BSI, CB, UL and CE.

"We are continuously expanding our manufacturing infrastructure. We opened a factory manufacturing and testing of LED light fittings last year. We launch at least four to five major categories every year. These categories are all related to the building construction industry. All the above products are from the Rexton brand which are uniquely designed, holds a design patent and highly innovative," he notes.

"We are involved in all major projects in the UAE. We are equally honoured to have received quite a number of projects for Expo 2020. We work with all major contractors and all major business families and groups in the UAE," he concludes.

Awards and accolades
.    Mohammed bin Rashid Award for manufacturing.
.    Sharjah Economic Excellence award, several times.
.    Group was selected as the best operating company in the Saif Zone.

Projects
.    Major projects in the UAE as well as the Middle East.
.    Several projects for Emaar, Nakheel, Wasl, Dubai Properties and Damac.
.    Several projects for the Ministry of Public Works.

- suchitra@khaleejtimes.com