Abdulla Saleh AlMulla, Founder

Kuwait in the 1930s was a relatively undeveloped Emirate, the traditional pearl industry faced new competition from the advent of cultured pearls and the discovery of oil was, as yet, no more than a hope.

But in 1938, as the first oil was being produced in the Burgan field, two men decided that business conditions were favorable for a new venture. Abdulla Saleh AlMulla, then Secretary of State, with partner Saleh Jamal, set up a small electrical and domestic appliances shop in the heart of the old city, swiftly acquiring the GEC (UK) franchise.

In 1947, an associate company was founded - Bader AlMulla and Brothers. Within a short time, this new company took on the Chrysler distributorship and followed this by expanding into other business areas such as marine products, air conditioning, travel and equipment supply.

Following the death of the founder in 1955, his son, Bader AlMulla took over as a chairman, until his death in 1969, when his brother Najeeb succeeded him, presiding over the steady expansion of the Group's interests. The seventies saw the Group flourish together with the wider Kuwaiti economy and in 1972, in order to harness the boom in construction related industries and new technologies; the Maseelah Trading Company was founded.

	Links with the British royal family go back many years. (right) Abdulla AlSalem AlSabah, the late ruler of Kuwait, with Abdulla Saleh AlMulla during the state visit for the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

Despite the fact that AlMulla was enjoying considerable success, particularly in the automotive sector, in 1978 the shareholders led by Najeeb AlMulla decided to effect some radical changes through a new long-term strategy. A multi-national Board was appointed to enhance the management of the company and at the same time, with support from its in-house finance company a major diversification program was commenced in which the Group entered markets such as environmental systems, vehicle rental and leasing, fire protection, office equipment, security services, engineering products, computers and insurance consultancy. Employee motivation and loyalty, the foundation of every successful business, were enhanced with the introduction of comprehensive profit related incentive bonus schemes throughout the Group.

Sound business sense and sheer hard work made the diversification a major success and throughout the 1980s the Group continued to widen and improve the scope of its operation and performance.

Today, the Group has demonstrated its resilience by emerging, post-liberation, stronger than ever. By getting the business basics right and adding vital ingredients of imagination and a willingness to lead markets, AlMulla has built a reputation for delivering its promises which is well recognized by the world's leading companies.

AlMulla Group is totally committed to seeking new opportunities in international markets and to building upon its leading position within Kuwait.