Issue No: 09
Message from Group Managing Director
My Dear Al Ansari Family Members,
We have just completed the First half of 1998 and are heading towards the end of the year. Though a wee bit late, we are once again there with our 9th issue of UPDATE, containing lots of exciting news and views.
1998 began well with lots of promises and enthusiasm, but weak oil prices alerted everyone and things slowed down a bit in the First half of ‘98 on the economical front. The second half of the year has started on a positive note and we hope it continues in the same manner.
The biggest event of this period has been the receiving of the “Two Million Man – Hours” without lost time incident Award by the Engineering division from the Management of Petroleum Development of Oman (PDO).
This award has been received by the division during the third year of the PDO-Estate Civil Maintenance Contract. “Kudos” to Rajan Kanath and his entire PDO-Contract Team. All the best for the 3 Million target before the year end!
Having slowed down a little in the economical activities, we have never left ourselves behind in our human-relation field. We celebrated the Al Ansari Day for workers as well as staff and their families in a grand style where everyone present was bound together in a complete atmosphere of fraternity and harmony. The celebrations were so par excellence, that I, on behalf of the management, would like to congratulate heartily all the organizing committee members, participants and the divisions/department heads for contributing in their own way in making the function, an unbelievable fantastic evening for all present.
This latest issue of UPDATE covers detailed happenings in our various family quarters. I also appreciate your efforts in sustaining your performance whilst undergoing an economically difficult period. We are all proud of you as our strong family assets. “No one can work and achieve efficiently with a pack of worries on his or her back. People who enjoy life and radiate their happiness, fear nothing. Get fun out of what you do – and you’ll do much, and be glad that you are alive”.
Thanks a million and God bless us all!
HEAD OFFICE
The Al Ansari – MBT Alliance Gathers Momentum :
The Al Ansari – MBT Alliance recently bagged a full life cycle project for Zubair Automotive LLC. The system would be developed using Client Server Architecture on Oracle RDBMS using Developer 2000 as the front end. MBT is planning to make use of designer 2000 CASE tool for this project. Zubair Automotive is a leading automotive dealer representing prestigious companies like Mitsubishi Motor Corpn. Rolls Royce and Chrysler Intl., etc.
The proposed system to be delivered by June, 1999 would replace their existing Cobol based applications. MBT has also quoted for GIS (Geographic Information System Tender with Muscat Municipality and a Technical Presentation was given to them during June ’98. On-site work on all MBT software projects will now be handled from the Software Development Cell being put up at the Head Office.
It is an achievement that MBT has been ranked as the “BEST SOFTWARE EXPORTER” for the year 1997-98 in the state of Maharashtra among the Software Technical Park units.
TRADING DIVISION HIGHLIGHTS
The Trading Division continued its momentum in the first half of 1998. Notable achievements during the last few months are as follows:
Sanitary ware & Tiles :
Mr. Jean Claude Delepine (JCD), the “creator” of the world famous “JCD” premium sanitary ware and bathroom fittings, visited us recently. A seminar was organized at Al Bustan Palace Hotel wherein the leading Architects, Consultants, Contractors had the opportunity of meeting Mr. JCD. Mrs. & Mr. Gurner from Bathrooms International UK (representing JCD and THG in the Gulf region) also gave a presentation to update the audience on the JCD range. JCD products were introduced Oman by Al Ansari over 15 years ago and have gain tremendous popularity since inception.
Also seen in the picture are: Mr. Kiran Asher, Mr. & Mrs. Gurner & Mr. R.O. Pinto.
We have added to our range and repertoire, the following new agencies:
- Orolife – Spain: An Excellent and extensive range of moderately priced ceramic tiles.
- Gala – Spain : Offering attractive value for sets of sanitary-ware.
Some Successfully executed Projects:
- Kitchen Extract and Supply Fans – PDO Fahud.
- Chemical Resistant Extract Fans (Explosionproof) for a chemical Lab at Shai Rawal – PDO.
- Explosion Proof Wall Fans – OLNG.
- Raised Flooring from System Floors – Head Quarters Building, PDO – Mina Al Fahal.
- Chiller Package – Chiller from Calorex and Tank Controls from A.O. Smith at PDO – Lekhwair.
Pumps & Irrigation Section :
Our recent new agencies of Jung Pumpen and Kolon Shade Netting which were added recently, have been doing well.
Two new product lines in this section are:
- Generating Sets from Genelec, France
- Sewage Pumps from Paggiolati, Italy
Carpet Tiles :
Our Esco carpet tiles have been going from strength to strength every year.
Al Ansari Bids Adieu to Mr. R.O. Pinto
On July 30th 1998, the Al Ansari family got together to bid farewell to one of the veteran stalwarts of the company, Mr. R.O Pinto, GM-Marketing who decided to leave the Mr. Pinto being presented a Memento, at his Farewell lunch by Mr. V.Sajeevan. company for his personal reasons. A farewell lunch was organized on this occasion, where the members of the management emotionally recollected their experiences with Mr.Pinto. We are surely to miss the calm & charming personality of Mr. Pinto in our family, and wish him success in his future endeavors.
Al Ansari Sport highlights
8’s Cricket!
An In-House inter department cricket was held on 20/03/98. As in the past, the tournament was played in 6s format. This was a competitive tournament where all the participating professional manner for the title. Media Computer Supplies finished as Winners and Contracting Division were the runners up.
AL ANSARI ANNUAL DAY!
The Al Ansari Annual Day for staff was held on 8th May 1998 at Hotel Al Falaj. Al though the format of the evening was similar of the previous year, the quality and the technical finesse was never seen by anyone earlier. A major attraction of the programme was Multimedia Presentation on the giant screens placed before the audience. The audience was totally engrossed and enthralled by the entire contents of the program. Contracting Division won the award for the best programme followed by the Trading Division / Head Office.
The management played a great supporting role in the success of this event by giving constant motivation to the organizing members. We hope to continue and maintain the high standards set, in the organization of the Annual Day events to come.
CD launches: Sholay & Shama!
Inspired by their prize winning skit “Ghala ke Sholay”, on the Al Ansari Annual Day, Contracting Division recently formed a Committee named “Sholay”.
This Committee comprising of Girish, Yusuf Hariyanawalla, Vipin and Firoz Ansari have set certain objectives such as providing quality entertainment, get togethers, and outings for the department.
They shall also be conducting technical seminars and issuing bulletins in order to improve our working infrastructure and conditions. This committee was formally inaugurated by Mr. Yusuf Nalwalla on 13th June 1998.
Wishing them all the best in their future activities !
“No one can work and achieve efficiently with a pack of worries on his or her back. People who enjoy life and radiate their happiness, fear nothing. Get fun out of what you do – and you’ll do much, and be glad that you are alive”