Oriental Weavers Group is one of the world’s largest carpet, rug and related raw materials producers. Based in Cairo, the group has manufacturing facilities in three countries and distributes its products in more than 130 countries worldwide. During Domotex 2015, HALI Journal went inside the OW’s iconic stand of pyramids, and interviewed with the company’s Project & Contract Manager Mr. Amr Zien Elabdin.
HALI Journal: Can we start with a short history of Oriental Weavers?
Mr. Amr Zien Elabdin: Established in 1979 by Mr. Mohamed Farid Khamis, a leading Egyptian entrepreneur and industrialist, the company has grown under his leadership to become one of the largest and fastest-growing machine made rug and carpet manufacturers in the world. From a single loom, Oriental Weavers has emerged as the largest producer of machine-woven carpets in the world and today is the global leader in tufted and jet-printed rugs and carpets. Our company’s vision is to enhance our lifestyle worldwide; tomorrow’s homes will require ever-fashionable and inspired floor coverings with distinctive characters at affordable costs. And OW’s mission is to build a state of the art carpets and rugs company by achieving economies of scale, being aggressively market oriented, being export oriented and internationally competitive, and maximizing the use of local competitive advantages.
HALI Journal: Your iconic stand of pyramid has always been an attractive point at Domotex. What are your thoughts about the fair this year?
Mr. Amr Zien Elabdin: Regarding the fair, I think it’s better than the last year’s show. We’ve started one day before the show. We had two extra stands this year and therefore our space is much bigger with new designs.
HALI Journal: What can you tell us about Oriental Weavers’ perspective about sustainable growth?
Mr. Amr Zien Elabdin: Oriental Weavers has a unique business model that allows it to achieve consistent, sustainable growth. Our company is a global, low-cost producer using efficiency, technology and innovation to deliver margins. At the same time, full vertical integration — backward and forward — smoothes and minimizes costs, allowing economies of scale and scope. A flexible production capacity allows quick responses to market conditions while production across all price points fully penetrates markets. Finally, the group’s global experience and presence ensures unmatched global market intelligence.
Oriental Weavers is focused on organic growth, expanding our global footprint, enhancing our local dominance, ensuring diversification, and furthering vertical integration.
HALI Journal: What is the current capacity of the company?
Mr. Amr Zien Elabdin: Oriental Weavers prides itself with its one of a kind 13,500m² fully automated warehouse. With total investments of almost EGP 86m, the group confirms its leadership in the local and global carpet markets. The warehouse is designed according to the highest international standards to be fully automated with total capacity reaching 3,500 carpets, which is equivalent to 40,000 meters of carpets daily.