Al Maya Group: Building brand legacy

Established in 1982 by a pioneering businessman L K Pagarani, Al Maya Group is a Dubai-based business conglomerate that has become a force to reckon with in the industry.
Today, the group employs more than 5,000 talented professionals from 30 different countries for its multiple business verticals. These include over 90 retail stores in the UAE and GCC; FMCG distribution setup in the UAE and GCC; franchisee operation (Paperchase), and lifestyle product distribution (Dim, Byford, Dollar, Fruit Of The Loom, Scholl, etc.) Its subsidiary companies include Maya's Restaurant, Bake Hub, Amaya Salon & Spa, Al Jazira Poultry Farm, and UPF (Export/Import of garments).
Kamal Vachani, Al Maya Group Director, says: "We have a strong presence in the GCC region with inherent strength in each market. The UAE is an extremely important market for us, and our headquarters are located in Dubai. Also, the UAE is the gateway to the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia, hence it's a very important and key market for us.
As in the past years, Al Maya Group is going to actively participate in Gulfood 2018. "We have a dedicated booth in Hall 6, Stand #C6-20. It provides us a platform to invite our existing as well as potential business partners to have a tangible business discussion," he adds.
Vachani shares that the company's vision is to "be one of the biggest and largest FMCG distribution companies in the Gulf region" and strives to achieve excellence through innovative business solutions by continuous development of company infrastructure, modern information technology integration and manpower capabilities.

Wide range of products
Al Maya has categorised its portfolio into beverage, grocery, confectionery, frozen, commodities and non-food items. "We consider ourselves as brand builders. Currently, seven brands in our portfolio hold leadership position in their respective categories," he says. "Majority of the brands represented by us in the region are exclusive in nature. We recently launched a new brand - Fulfil, a protein bar that has been very well accepted by a wide consumer base."
The Group's FMCG Distribution Business Unit represents over 50 multinational and regional brands such as Oronamin C, Pocari Sweat, Kraft Heinz, Pillsbury, Cadbury's biscuits, Koka Noodles, Silver Swan Rice, Acorsa, American Kitchen, Sante, etc. The key pillars of its distribution capabilities are: financial strength, world-class infrastructure, representation of multinational brands, long-standing business relationship with its trade channel partners and importantly well-experienced, loyal and dedicated team of professionals. It has a well-defined route to market approach covering all channels across the region such as modern trade, co-operatives, traditional trade, and petrol station and food service channels.
Future plans
Vachani highlights that the Group has an aggressive plan this year and will be launching several new brands in different categories. Furthermore, the Group is building a new world-class state-of-the-art office premises and warehousing facilities exceeding 861,000 sq. ft. area strategically located at Technopark in Dubai, which will be in close proximity to the Al Maktoum Airport and the upcoming World Expo 2020 site.
"The site is being built to improve operational efficiencies and provide excellent services to our customers. Also, as in the previous years, we will be opening several of new stores this year as well," he concludes.
Visit Al Maya Group at Hall 6, Stand #C6-20
Business verticals

1.    Over 90 retail stores in the UAE and GCC regions
2.    FMCG distribution setup in the UAE and GCC
3.    Franchisee operation (Paperchase)
4.    Lifestyle product distribution (Dim, Byford, Dollar, Fruit Of The Loom, Scholl, etc.)
5.    Subsidiary companies:
    .    Maya's Restaurant
    .    Bake Hub
    .    Amaya Salon & Spa
    .    Al Jazira Poultry Farm
    .    UPF (Export / Import of garments)


- deepa@khaleejtimes.com