Case Study: Al-Owaidah Group of Companies
Al-Owaidah Group Of Companies was founded in 1948 some 50 years ago by Al Shaik H Fahad. It is a privately owned group of companies and establishments having its Headquarters in the city of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The group is fairly diversified and exercises a wide range of activities covering:
Trade
Al-Owaidah Development Co. was originally established in 1973 under the name of (Al Owaidah Trade Establishment). It was appointed as the Authorized Dealer & distributor in the TKingdom of Saudi Arabia for Japanese FURUKAWA wheel loaders. In 1980 Al Owaidah trade Establishment is changed to Al Owaidah Development Co. with same commerical activity. Al-Owaidah Development Co. (FURUKAWA) is now one of the most progressive and dynamic companies in KSA.
Contracting: Al-Owaidah Co. for Contracting
Specialized in highways constructions, bridges, tunnels, runways & other civil engineering projects, sewerage works, railways, seaports & pipe lines. Over the years the Company has completed successfully different governmental, private and public projects. The considerable resources of the Company stand behind the construction managers, engineers, technical experts, and other skilled specialists.
Industry: Ahmed & Naif Fahad Al-Owaidah for industries Ltd
Specialized in Fabrication of a wide range of Steel Products, Caravan & Portable Houses. Our aim of choosing manufacturing Pre-Fab houses is to help in the side lines of construction field’s necessity/requirements. Our designs were aimed towards portable houses to suit the purpose of re-using these units by consulting companies and contractors for their employees and labourers housing near projects (outside) or as transferable offices. Our Factory has supplied a large number of such units to road contractors, consulting companies, Government departments, and private sector in all areas of the Kingdom.
Real Estate Development: Ahmed Al-Owaidah & Brother’s for Contracting & Real Estate
The company works in the construction, ownership, renting and sale of medium or large size markets and multi-purpose residential and commercial real estate in strategic locations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries. The company’s approach is to perform the real estate basics and make profitable transactions. It’s activities are Total Planning for areas for development, designing of all types of buildings, from hangers to multi-storey.
Challenged that they face:
- The employees feel that they are not able to distinguish between the company ownership and their personal benefits.
- Strategies and policy are not clear.
- Financial report does not reflect their real activities
- Most of these companies had gone out of the market after Al Sheikh Fahad (the founder) passed away and most of his sons were in disagreement with each other on business policy issues.
Achievements:
- The flexibility of decision making because it is owner controlled.
- Organization structure is not vertical which means they lack bureaucracy and hence easy to control .
- Capability for adaption in the market and competition.
Questions :
- What are the problems in Al-Owaidah Group of Companies?
- What changes you will bring in order to win employee confidence and make Al-Owaidah Group of Companies as a professional organization.