Kuwait Edition 4 Alwazzan
committed to quality and customer satisfaction. JAWS’ prides itself in holding a top position in the Kuwait and Gulf market in the foodstuff industry. Nurturing a loyal consumer and profitable retail franchise for its brands and partners is a constant goal – exceeding expectations is a mission. JAWS’ long history, and its ability to effectively manage its vast and impressive portfolio from inventory to end-users are key factors to success.
Market Jassim Al Wazzan Sons General Trading Services Co. W.L.L. (JAWS) is the flagship company of the Mezzan Holding Group. A premier and pioneer in the Kuwaiti business community, JAWS is a trusted and respected importer and distributor of foodstuff for over 60 years. JAWS legacy of providing quality family and community favorites is based on developing and maintaining strong relationships with key business partners, community retailers and customers. The JAWS Heritage Brand – Al Wazzan – has been providing quality foodstuff under a vast range of product categories such as Basmati rice, sugar, salt, tuna, canned vegetables, coconut powder, tea, olive oil, tomato ketchup and tomato paste, continues to make JAWS an established and dominant market leader that caters specifically to the needs of the locals. However, it is JAWS partnerships with internationally recognised quality providers including Pillsbury, Green Giant, Betty Crocker, Crystal, Happy Cow, Kimball and historic partner Claire that have made JAWS a trusted community business and respected family food option. The source of JAWS success is rooted in its ability to understand the requirements of the local marketplace. Understanding the local customers, the competition, the retailers and the importance of an effective value chain are the fundamentals of success at JAWS. As with other Mezzan Holding Co. businesses, JAWS business strategies are oriented towards customer satisfaction and quality product and service offers. JAWS understand its success is a direct result of maintaining business strategies that are 1
Achievements Over the years JAW has been feted and recognised many times by both local and international boddies. This wide recognition has now culminated in the award of the accolade Superbrands by the worldwide Superbrands organisation.
History JAW’s rich history starts in the late 1920s when Jassim Mohammed Ali Al Wazzan was born in Sharq, Kuwait during a time when the community of Kuwait thrived on the fruits of the sea: fishing, pearl diving, and importing from neighbouring ports. Then the discovery of oil, during the 1930s ushered in a new business community for the small Emirate of Kuwait. Life in Kuwait changed drastically and wealth quickly attracted multinational companies, merchants, goods and services. Jassim Al Wazzan, a multilingual young Kuwaiti, was an eager entrepreneur and sought to seek his fortune and take part in the economic boom by investing in a small grocery business in Kuwait City in the early 1940s in the Kuwaiti Old Souk that is currently known as Souk Al-Mubarakiya. As the
only Kuwaiti-owned grocery store among those operated by foreigners, the teenagers’ shop charmed locals who gladly lined up to buy their share of imported goods. Selling basic household necessities as well as preserved and canned food products imported comparatively more industrialised neighbouring countries he began developing relationships and leveraging his keen ability to establish contacts with manufacturers wanting to enter a new market and a community, built largely of British troops and foreign oil workers at the time, who desired foreign food products. He then was quick to recognise the demand for certain foods and goods, and seize the opportunity to grow his business through exclusive deals with foreign manufacturers. The first success was realised in the 1950’s with his first major partnership with Claire Ghee from Holland, followed by American companies Pillsbury Flour and Crystal Hot Sauces in addition to various Italian tomato paste brands and Baird’s Vinegar from Scotland. These brands remain a staple among Middle East families and closely aligned with the name Al Wazzan. As Jassim traveled the world, his reputation grew and with it more international partnerships with food manufacturers and suppliers. The business at the time was so successful that by the 1960s, after a visit to Germany, Al Wazzan complemented the business by adding manufacturing to the portfolio. With the purchase of the first production line of meat mincing, mixing and packaging machines, the Gulf region was introduced to a new brand, Khazan – the Gulf ’s first meat processor. The 1960s proved to be a growth period for Al Wazzan. As his reputation grew, he continued to be a market leader and introduced new food products to the Gulf region such as partnering with the Dutch and established one of the region’s first potato chip facilities in Kuwait. Al Wazzan launched the Kuwait Indo Trading Company (KITCO), which continues to this day to be one of the most trusted suppliers of the potato chips in the region. Al Wazzan, an innovative businessman, knew early on that his integrity, his faith and his ability to develop and maintain fair and profitable partnerships was the key to his business success. Accordingly, this realisation laid the foundation that attracted additional business partners such as Sara Lee, the foray into agriculture and the purchase of Red Danish milking cows, through which Jassim sold fresh milk directly from the farm to consumers, and the introduction of Lurpak Butter and Plumrose, the Danish meat and dairy brands. With a growing business and family, Jassim Al Wazzan’s sons gradually joined the business in the mid 1970’s. As young men, they were tutored
on the fundamentals their father learned over the previous 30 years which were: to know their market and consumer, to provide quality products, to develop and maintain honest and productive partnership, to be creative and diverse in their strategies, and finally to maintain the highest business ethics. Al Wazzan entered the Basmati Rice business in Kuwait around that period, by partnering with reputed Indian Basmati rice suppliers, he private labeled his supply of rice under the brand name “Al Wazzan” that was later to become synonymous with the Al Wazzan family. The strength and legacy of JAW did not stop after the passing of Jassim Al Wazzan in 1989. This was illustrated during the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, when Al Wazzan’s sons continued to support the Kuwaiti community and their commitments to their partners. Moreover, it was because of the values and principles Al Wazzan infused in his business, employees, and family members that the businesses were able to recover and flourish after the liberation of Kuwait in 1991, despite the large devastations to the business.
Product Al Wazzan rice, which is being distributed by JAW, is the number one selling premium rice in Kuwait from 1960 till today. The reason for its market share leadership and existence in market till today proves its quality and features. Wazzan rice comes from carefully selected paddy fields for the last 40 years. The quality controls of these plantations are one of the best in the world. Its grain is longer than any other competing brands
available in the market. It is neither bleached nor polished. It has its own natural colours and contains nutritional advantages like vitamins A and B and is recommended by master chefs and is easy to cook. The true basmati fragrance and taste before and after cooking proves its impeccable quality. That’s why they quote Wazzan rice as “The Best Basmati Rice by Far”. The company is the dominant and established market leader in categories such as Basmati Rice, Sugar, Salt, Tuna, Canned Vegetables, Coconut Powder, Tea, Olive Oil, Tomato Ketchup, Tomato Paste, Mango Pulp, French Fries, Desiccated Coconut, Canned Pineapple, Boiled Rice, Edibile Oil, Etc . JAW is very proud to present their longstanding and prime portfolio of international agencies as follows:Al Watania-Frozen Chicken, Coroli Oils, Kimball Ketchup, Peacock Fruit, Canned Lorado Evaporated Milk, Milk Powder, Cream, Pillsbury Cake Mix, Green Giant Frozen and Canned Veg, Cooper Boiled Rice, Betty Crocker Candies and Cake Mix, Mottamad Basmati Rice, Crystal Sauces, Salad Dressing, Happy Cow Cheese, Sunwhite, Calrose Rice, Bairds Vinegar, Capilano Honey, Claire Veg Ghee and Edible Oils, Astra (Holsten-Germany), Consul Olive Oil, Walkers English Toffee, Kawal Cheese, Poppins Breakfast Cereals.
Recent Developments Principal and Values Integrity - JAW uphold honest business practices, earning the trust of their employees, partners and customers. Quality - They do their best to provide the highest level of excellence in their products and services and with their people, partners and stakeholders. Efficiency - Effectiveness in their approach to give best solutions and value for money. Agility - They embrace change, move quickly and seize new opportunities. Collaboration - They leverage their collective intellectual talent and share best practices within and outside the business to provide the best. Innovation - They do their best to encourage creativity within the community, and to inspire the creation of new products and services within the business. Community and Culture - They have a responsibility to the communities where they do business to be the best they can be and to do no harm. Commitment - They are passionate about being “best in class”. Partnership - They nurture mutually respectful and valuable relationships with their customers and clients.
Brand Values Mission Jassim Al Wazzan and Sons General Trading Company’s utmost priority is to bring high quality, wholesome food stuff products that suit the ever changing preference, taste and need of their consumers. Vision To remain the clear and dominant market leader in Kuwait foodstuff Market with a consistent and healthy growth by building and nurturing loyal consumer franchise for their brands. JAW’s business philosophy is based on their core values such as Operational Excellence, Customer Focus, Product Leadership and People. Their vision is to maintain the number one position in the Kuwait market and become a world class Foodstuff Company in the GCC Market by building and nurturing loyal consumer franchise for their brands so as to be the most preferred supplier of quality foodstuff products. Professional expertise of their management team and the overall focus of the modern management has reinforced their commitment to consumers, business partners and employees which has resulted in consistent growth in profitability, high employee satisfaction, enduring supplier relations and greater consumer loyalty.
www.wazzan.com
Things you didn’t know about
ALWAZZAN
Jassim Al Wazzan Sons General Trading Services Co is the flagship company of the Mezzan Holding Group. JAWS has been a trusted and respected importer and distributor of foodstuff for over 60 years. JAWS’ prides itself in holding a top position in the Kuwait and Gulf market in the foodstuff industry. Jassim Al Wazzan and Sons General Trading Company’s utmost priority is to bring high quality, wholesome food stuff products to their customers.
Market Jassim Al Wazzan Sons General Trading Services Co. W.L.L. (JAWS) is the flagship company of the Mezzan Holding Group. A premier and pioneer in the Kuwaiti business community, JAWS is a trusted and respected importer and distributor of foodstuff for over 60 years. JAWS legacy of providing quality family and community favorites is based on developing and maintaining strong relationships with key business partners, community retailers and customers. The JAWS Heritage Brand – Al Wazzan – has been providing quality foodstuff under a vast range of product categories such as Basmati rice, sugar, salt, tuna, canned vegetables, coconut powder, tea, olive oil, tomato ketchup and tomato paste, continues to make JAWS an established and dominant market leader that caters specifically to the needs of the locals. However, it is JAWS partnerships with internationally recognised quality providers including Pillsbury, Green Giant, Betty Crocker, Crystal, Happy Cow, Kimball and historic partner Claire that have made JAWS a trusted community business and respected family food option. The source of JAWS success is rooted in its ability to understand the requirements of the local marketplace. Understanding the local customers, the competition, the retailers and the importance of an effective value chain are the fundamentals of success at JAWS. As with other Mezzan Holding Co. businesses, JAWS business strategies are oriented towards customer satisfaction and quality product and service offers. JAWS understand its success is a direct result of maintaining business strategies that are 1
Achievements Over the years JAW has been feted and recognised many times by both local and international boddies. This wide recognition has now culminated in the award of the accolade Superbrands by the worldwide Superbrands organisation.
History JAW’s rich history starts in the late 1920s when Jassim Mohammed Ali Al Wazzan was born in Sharq, Kuwait during a time when the community of Kuwait thrived on the fruits of the sea: fishing, pearl diving, and importing from neighbouring ports. Then the discovery of oil, during the 1930s ushered in a new business community for the small Emirate of Kuwait. Life in Kuwait changed drastically and wealth quickly attracted multinational companies, merchants, goods and services. Jassim Al Wazzan, a multilingual young Kuwaiti, was an eager entrepreneur and sought to seek his fortune and take part in the economic boom by investing in a small grocery business in Kuwait City in the early 1940s in the Kuwaiti Old Souk that is currently known as Souk Al-Mubarakiya. As the
only Kuwaiti-owned grocery store among those operated by foreigners, the teenagers’ shop charmed locals who gladly lined up to buy their share of imported goods. Selling basic household necessities as well as preserved and canned food products imported comparatively more industrialised neighbouring countries he began developing relationships and leveraging his keen ability to establish contacts with manufacturers wanting to enter a new market and a community, built largely of British troops and foreign oil workers at the time, who desired foreign food products. He then was quick to recognise the demand for certain foods and goods, and seize the opportunity to grow his business through exclusive deals with foreign manufacturers. The first success was realised in the 1950’s with his first major partnership with Claire Ghee from Holland, followed by American companies Pillsbury Flour and Crystal Hot Sauces in addition to various Italian tomato paste brands and Baird’s Vinegar from Scotland. These brands remain a staple among Middle East families and closely aligned with the name Al Wazzan. As Jassim traveled the world, his reputation grew and with it more international partnerships with food manufacturers and suppliers. The business at the time was so successful that by the 1960s, after a visit to Germany, Al Wazzan complemented the business by adding manufacturing to the portfolio. With the purchase of the first production line of meat mincing, mixing and packaging machines, the Gulf region was introduced to a new brand, Khazan – the Gulf ’s first meat processor. The 1960s proved to be a growth period for Al Wazzan. As his reputation grew, he continued to be a market leader and introduced new food products to the Gulf region such as partnering with the Dutch and established one of the region’s first potato chip facilities in Kuwait. Al Wazzan launched the Kuwait Indo Trading Company (KITCO), which continues to this day to be one of the most trusted suppliers of the potato chips in the region. Al Wazzan, an innovative businessman, knew early on that his integrity, his faith and his ability to develop and maintain fair and profitable partnerships was the key to his business success. Accordingly, this realisation laid the foundation that attracted additional business partners such as Sara Lee, the foray into agriculture and the purchase of Red Danish milking cows, through which Jassim sold fresh milk directly from the farm to consumers, and the introduction of Lurpak Butter and Plumrose, the Danish meat and dairy brands. With a growing business and family, Jassim Al Wazzan’s sons gradually joined the business in the mid 1970’s. As young men, they were tutored
on the fundamentals their father learned over the previous 30 years which were: to know their market and consumer, to provide quality products, to develop and maintain honest and productive partnership, to be creative and diverse in their strategies, and finally to maintain the highest business ethics. Al Wazzan entered the Basmati Rice business in Kuwait around that period, by partnering with reputed Indian Basmati rice suppliers, he private labeled his supply of rice under the brand name “Al Wazzan” that was later to become synonymous with the Al Wazzan family. The strength and legacy of JAW did not stop after the passing of Jassim Al Wazzan in 1989. This was illustrated during the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, when Al Wazzan’s sons continued to support the Kuwaiti community and their commitments to their partners. Moreover, it was because of the values and principles Al Wazzan infused in his business, employees, and family members that the businesses were able to recover and flourish after the liberation of Kuwait in 1991, despite the large devastations to the business.
Product Al Wazzan rice, which is being distributed by JAW, is the number one selling premium rice in Kuwait from 1960 till today. The reason for its market share leadership and existence in market till today proves its quality and features. Wazzan rice comes from carefully selected paddy fields for the last 40 years. The quality controls of these plantations are one of the best in the world. Its grain is longer than any other competing brands
available in the market. It is neither bleached nor polished. It has its own natural colours and contains nutritional advantages like vitamins A and B and is recommended by master chefs and is easy to cook. The true basmati fragrance and taste before and after cooking proves its impeccable quality. That’s why they quote Wazzan rice as “The Best Basmati Rice by Far”. The company is the dominant and established market leader in categories such as Basmati Rice, Sugar, Salt, Tuna, Canned Vegetables, Coconut Powder, Tea, Olive Oil, Tomato Ketchup, Tomato Paste, Mango Pulp, French Fries, Desiccated Coconut, Canned Pineapple, Boiled Rice, Edibile Oil, Etc . JAW is very proud to present their longstanding and prime portfolio of international agencies as follows:Al Watania-Frozen Chicken, Coroli Oils, Kimball Ketchup, Peacock Fruit, Canned Lorado Evaporated Milk, Milk Powder, Cream, Pillsbury Cake Mix, Green Giant Frozen and Canned Veg, Cooper Boiled Rice, Betty Crocker Candies and Cake Mix, Mottamad Basmati Rice, Crystal Sauces, Salad Dressing, Happy Cow Cheese, Sunwhite, Calrose Rice, Bairds Vinegar, Capilano Honey, Claire Veg Ghee and Edible Oils, Astra (Holsten-Germany), Consul Olive Oil, Walkers English Toffee, Kawal Cheese, Poppins Breakfast Cereals.
Recent Developments Principal and Values Integrity - JAW uphold honest business practices, earning the trust of their employees, partners and customers. Quality - They do their best to provide the highest level of excellence in their products and services and with their people, partners and stakeholders. Efficiency - Effectiveness in their approach to give best solutions and value for money. Agility - They embrace change, move quickly and seize new opportunities. Collaboration - They leverage their collective intellectual talent and share best practices within and outside the business to provide the best. Innovation - They do their best to encourage creativity within the community, and to inspire the creation of new products and services within the business. Community and Culture - They have a responsibility to the communities where they do business to be the best they can be and to do no harm. Commitment - They are passionate about being “best in class”. Partnership - They nurture mutually respectful and valuable relationships with their customers and clients.
Brand Values Mission Jassim Al Wazzan and Sons General Trading Company’s utmost priority is to bring high quality, wholesome food stuff products that suit the ever changing preference, taste and need of their consumers. Vision To remain the clear and dominant market leader in Kuwait foodstuff Market with a consistent and healthy growth by building and nurturing loyal consumer franchise for their brands. JAW’s business philosophy is based on their core values such as Operational Excellence, Customer Focus, Product Leadership and People. Their vision is to maintain the number one position in the Kuwait market and become a world class Foodstuff Company in the GCC Market by building and nurturing loyal consumer franchise for their brands so as to be the most preferred supplier of quality foodstuff products. Professional expertise of their management team and the overall focus of the modern management has reinforced their commitment to consumers, business partners and employees which has resulted in consistent growth in profitability, high employee satisfaction, enduring supplier relations and greater consumer loyalty.
www.wazzan.com
Things you didn’t know about
ALWAZZAN
Jassim Al Wazzan Sons General Trading Services Co is the flagship company of the Mezzan Holding Group. JAWS has been a trusted and respected importer and distributor of foodstuff for over 60 years. JAWS’ prides itself in holding a top position in the Kuwait and Gulf market in the foodstuff industry. Jassim Al Wazzan and Sons General Trading Company’s utmost priority is to bring high quality, wholesome food stuff products to their customers.
