The Saudi-based Zaid Al Hussain Zaid group plans to open its first international branch in Qatar. This follows the setting up of a branch in Jeddah.
The group has boosted production of plants and plans to build more propagation tunnels to meet market demand that is expected to follow its expansion.
The group offers a variety of services including the marketing of camping and hunting accessories, garden accessories, operation and maintenance of parks and zoos, maintenance and installation of landscape irrigation, operation of nurseries and sale of outdoor plants, distribution of potable water in the kingdom and also the operation of a postal service.
The garden division, established in Riyadh in 1998, undertakes the design, construction and maintenance of landscapes.
Deputy general manager Hussain Al Hussain says that previous SaudiBuild exhibitions have helped the company penetrate the local market and come up with impressive results.
At SaudiBuild 2003, the group plans to introduce a whole new range of garden accessories, garden plants, antique furniture, fountains and a host of other garden accessories. The group will be at Stand 833.
'These exhibitions have been beneficial for local companies like us as we can show what a local company could do to compete with international markets,'' says Hussain. ''Sales have increased considerably with new contacts and clients and the response was so positive that the Al Hussain family decided to increase their investment in the garden division, and to date there are 14 Sultan Garden centres in Saudi Arabia.''
The company has been successful at winning major agricultural projects both in the government and the private sectors of Saudi Arabia. The group has a staff strength of around 2,500, and it has already recorded a turnover of more than $20 million. Last year, supplies of plants to Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar increased by 20 per cent.
Sultan Garden stocks a variety of indoor and outdoor plants, garden tools, irrigation equipment, pottery from around the world, fresh flowers, artificial flowers and plants, fountains, garden furniture, stone garden ornaments, potting soil and fertilisers.
The division also markets candles, potpourri, natural, skin products, ceramic vases and pots. The centres also have a pet department that deal in exotic fish and birds and also stock a good collection of pet accessories.
The group has had a policy of recruiting the best talent available from within the country and outside. This has given the company a good team of individuals who are capable of executing projects of any scale.
The group has the ability to design, implement, operate and maintain the largest of agricultural projects anywhere in the Kingdom. The team has access to the latest equipment and procedures and also goes through the best technical programmes available for any project they get involved with.
The group is also involved in water distribution (potable and irrigation) business with its fleet of trucks and for the last three years has been delivering potable water to Riyadh and Madinah.
Speaking on why gardens are big market in the Middle East, Hussain says: 'Despite the Gulf War crises, we were able to stay profitable and remain competitive. There is good scope to develop business in the landscaping segment, especially in the domestic market. Everyone needs a garden and we have been the best choice in the market. The market is very competitive, but with good management, price stability and after-sales service we still stand a fair chance of capitalising on demand.''
