E P Moosa Haji, Chairman
The Business Tycoon with a Humble Heart
The life of E P Moosa Haji is an incredible story of how a boy aged 16 left home to build a life of his own and ended up as the head of a multi-million enterprise having operations in different parts of the world. Fathima Group is a well established name in the corporate world today, with their business interests spread across diverse corporate sectors.
E P Moosa Haji, a native of Chavakkad in Thrissur district, belongs to Elayadathu Puthenveettil family. He was born as the son of the late Kunjouri Haji and the late Kunjumol Hajjumma. At the age of 16, he reached Mumbai and after four years, he left for the UAE and landed in Abu Dhabi in 1974. There he started working in his uncle’s store. Soon he realized that he was supposed to do something on his own and started a small store. That was the first step of building up his vast business empire.
Today, Fathima Group, with millions of turnover, has operations in retail and wholesale industry, catering, food and non-food industries, electronics and home appliances, travel and tourism, perfumes, fast food and hospitality industries. Most of Fathima Group’s business establishments are located in Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Other than UAE, the Group also has operations in India, Oman and Malaysia.
About Fathima Group
Over the years since its establishment, Fathima Group has evolved at a pace of its regional environment with a particular focus on Modern Retail. It is one of the oldest companies in the country which explains its excellent relationships with customers and strong brand recognition.
Starting as a friendly neighborhood store, Fathima Group has a history of more than 45 years. Now it is a diversified regional group with a total of 4000 employees. The Group has based its development on its founding values of honesty, innovation and friendliness. Their position in the GCC is pushing them to further develop their retail activities by reinforcing their brand visibility and develop new retail formats under the Fathima brand in the Gulf countries.
Ventures under Fathima Group
Fairway General Trading LLC
A subsidiary of Fathima Group of Companies, Fairway General Trading LLC is one of the leading names in the FMCG food distribution business in the UAE. Apart from its own private label in certain core categories, the company also represents some of the world’s leading branded food and non-food products in their respective categories from the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Fairway General Trading LLC is a HACCP-certified food distribution company. With warehousing operations in all the major Emirates and weighted market universe coverage of 66% spanning across all trade channels and geographical areas within the UAE supported by a highly professional sales, merchandising, logistics, marketing, business development and technical support services teams, Fairway General Trading LLC has now become the ‘quality product and service provider’ for all retail and HORECA needs of the UAE.
Hypermarkets, Supermarkets and Department Stores
With more distinct and planned spaces for retail stores and brands, streamlined supply chain and logistics management, Fathima Group has a strong foothold in the retail industry in UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and more.
With Al Bateen Mall in Abu Dhabi, the Group now enjoys the eminence of a lucrative retailer along with its extensive chain of supermarkets, hypermarkets and department stores. The company today has a total of 32 retail outlets across the GCC.
Fathima Group also has a supermarket in Malaysia and an importing division in Hong Kong.
Fairway Catering services LLC
Fairway Catering Services LLC under Fathima Group is one of the leading caterers in the UAE with several state-of-the-art kitchens catering to all the Emirates in the UAE. For more than a decade, Fairway Catering has been successfully catering to prime hotels, government organizations, multinational corporate houses, staff accommodations and thousands of gala events.
The services offered by Fairway Catering Services LLC include hospitality catering, institutional catering, industrial catering, restaurant & retail management, banquets & event catering, housekeeping & laundry services and facilities management.
Fairway Catering services LLC provides food to a total of 35000 persons three times a day, mainly in offices and labour camps.
Fathima Trading Co & Cold Store WLL
Fathima Trading & Cold Stores Co. W.L.L. heads the frozen food division of the Group. The frozen division is located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Fathima Trading & Cold Stores Co. W.L.L. has a total capacity of 5000 metric tons and is capable of covering the entire UAE and GCC market, with imports from Brazil, South America.
A large fleet of the company’s refrigerated vans takes care of prompt dispatch and delivery serving a broad market consisting of retailers, wholesalers, hypermarkets, supermarkets, star hotels, catering companies, ship chandlers and restaurants. The company deals in a variety of frozen brands from Europe, Far East, USA, Asia, African continents and the Middle East.
Fathima Trading & Cold Stores Co. W.L.L. is accredited by HACCP and ISO and the products conform to stringent quality standards and packing specifications.
Wholesale Trading & Cash Carry
Fathima Group is known for its unwavering commitment to providing better prospects for customer requirements. With a total warehousing capacity of above 200,000 sqft and 60+ vehicles, Fathima is geared up in terms of technology and manpower to meet expectations of renowned brands, corporate orders and institutional sales. The dry division caters to HORECA segment, organized retail segment and supermarket domains. Some of the esteemed clients of Fathima Group are Seha, Emirates Heritage Club, Al Habtoor Leighton, Aldar, Kelvin Catering, and UAE Armed Force.
Feltron Electronics and Home Appliances
Feltron is an ever-aspiring brand of electronics covering multiple segments like entertainment products, home appliances, kitchen appliances, personal gadgets and lighting products. The major products offered by Feltron are electronic products such as televisions, DVD players, portable DVD players, micro systems; home appliances such as vacuum cleaners, water dispensers, washing machines, air coolers; kitchen appliances including microwave ovens, blenders, juicers, food processors, mixer grinders and meat grinders; personal care and grooming products such as hair clippers & trimmers, shavers (men & ladies), hair straighteners and hair dryers; lighting products such as torches and flashlights (LEDs), emergency lanterns and lamps, LEDs & CFL bulbs and extension cords; and electronic accessories such as head phones & ear phones, HDMI cables, A&V cables, adapters & chargers, keyboards, mouse and covers.
Telecom Distributions (Etisalat & Du)
Started in 2008, Fathima Telecom Divison has a strong team of qualified professionals. The Group has been rated as the top national distributor for Etisalat, the Emirates Telecommunication Company. They are the distributors of Motorala and Alcatel handsets. The Etisalat products distributed by Fathima Group across the UAE are prepaid SIM cards, postpaid SIM cards, prepaid calling cards, e-recharge(OTAR), Five VoIP calling card and iPhone. The Group reaches across the UAE with more than 3000 dealers.
Imports & Exports
The division by the name of Althaf Exports located in Kerala, India, has been successfully running with activities namely logistics, export and import of commodities like food, non-food items, textile and garments.
Marine Food Supplies
A recent entrant to this business sector, Fathima Group has educated manpower and the latest technology for the trading of sea food such as fish, prawns and lobsters.
Al Ghazal Automatic Bakery
The major products offered by Al Ghazal Automatic Bakery are Arabic Breads, Slice Breads, Buns & Rolls, Snacks & Sandwiches, Cakes & Pastries, Hot Meals & Salads, Arabic Sweets & Indian Sweets, Cookies & Biscuits, and Chocolates.
Palm Spring Pure Nature Water LLC
Palm Spring Pure Nature Water LLC under Fathima Group offers pure and refreshing bottled water. Palm Spring Pure Water is ISO 9001 – 2001 and HACCP quality assurance guaranteed. The company offers 5 gallon bottle, 5 litre, 200 ml cup water, 330 ml, 500 ml and 1.5 liter pet bottles.
Fairway Flour Mills
Fairway Flour Mills offers a range of products to meet the growing demands from all over the region and beyond. The company has always been focusing on keeping its promise of first class quality. It produces and distributes an array of products to utmost customer satisfaction.
Perfumes Manufacturing & Trading
Fathima Group manufactures and markets high quality perfumes with high-profile personality and unique fragrances. These are also reasonably priced to appeal to the diverse shopper segments. The products are available across the Middle East at all leading shopping centers including Fathima outlets.
Apparels Trading & Distribution
Fathima Group has a strong presence in the apparels trading & distribution sector in India and they have successfully established four full-fledged factories for manufacturing apparels for gents, ladies and children.
Hotel SAAS Tower
Hotel SAAS Tower under Fathima Group is the first hotel to receive Gold*Plus Star rating in Kerala. The hotel, located in Cochin, is a perfect base for business and leisure travelers. SAAS Tower has a multi-cuisine restaurant and conference halls with Wi-Fi connectivity.
Fast Food & Restaurants
Fathima Group’s fast food & restaurant segment continues to grow at a fast pace in terms of consumer satisfaction and strong customer loyalty. Their quality food and unparalleled service present a unique dining experience for the customers. Among the numerous restaurants and cafes managed by the Fathima Group, the most remarkable is the Al Asalah Heritage Restaurant at the Abu Dhabi Marina.
Constructions & Facility Management
Managing multiple and diversified facilities in multiple locations keeping high quality and controlled costs is the core competency of Fathima Group in managing constructions and facilities. The company also undertakes setting up of remote camps and related facilities for varied clientele. Based on customer specification, the land is set and the structure is erected to be developed into fully furnished turnkey projects. In the process, the full spectrum of activities right from the design and build of camp structures to total facility management including all operational and management support for the clients are taken care of.
Ventures in India
The ventures of Fathima Group in Kerala are Malabar Plaza located in Thrissur, SAAS Tower in Calicut, EP Stores in Thrissur, Kunnamkulam and Chavakkad and Vasantham Saree Centre on Thrissur Road and Guruvayur Road.
Fathima Group also runs two restaurants under the name Mahim Restaurant in Mumbai.
Future Plans
In the future, Fathima Group has plans to open outlets of Louis Philippe, Continent Models, People, Allen Solley, Van Huesen and Peter England. Another innovative venture of Fathima Group, Bureau Café, will also be opened soon. The Group is also planning to build a 295000 sq ft building and a 78000 sq ft building comprising a central warehouse, water plant and flour mill in Dubai Internet City soon. New supermarkets will be opened in Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Bur Dubai in the UAE. The Group has plans to open Fathima Supermarkets across Kerala. A supermarket and catering service will also be opened in Kuwait.
Fathima Group will open two seafood outlets in Festival City and Bur Juman in Dubai. Also, work on a shopping mall under Continente Group is progressing at Palm Deira and more such ventures are planned across the GCC. Fathima Group is also planning to open a hospital at Jebel Ali in the near future.
Philanthropic Activities
E P Moosa Haji has taken special efforts to make quality education available and affordable for all. He is the president of Focus School located in Anjangadi in Kadappuram panchayat and Akaladu MIC School, which offers ITC courses and CBSE syllabus. He provides free education to a lot of children through his Yatheem Khana(Orphanage).
Family
E P Moosa Haji has five brothers and one sister. One of his brothers, E P Sulaiman Haji, is the Managing Director of Fathima Group International. His other brothers are the late Muhammed Kutty Haji, Abdul Hameed, Abdullakutty and Majeed; and sister is Pathummu.
E P Moosa Haji is married to Subaida and the couple is blessed with four children–Shabeela, Dr Rahim, Dr Shakira and Shahala. Shabeela is married to Aju Abdul Rahman and they have two kids. Dr Rahim is specialized in General Medicine and is married to Dr Husna Abdul Gafoor. Dr Shakira is a BDS degree holder and is married to Khurshid Moitheen. Youngest daughter Shahala is married to Finaz Naha
Awards and Recognitions
• Pravasi Bharti Karmashreshta Award 2011
• K Karunakaran Memorial Award
• Etisalat Excellent Performance Award 2012
• Indian Social Centre Al Ain Award
• Business Award from Guruvayur NRI Forum
• Darshana Award for Outstanding Contributions to Business Development and Charity 2013
• Thrissur KMCC Award for Outstanding Contributions towards Business Sector
• Malappuram KMCC’s Outstanding Personality Award 2015
• Abu Dhabi Malayali Samajam honour in 2008
• Honour from World Malayali Council Al Ain Province
Positions Held
• President- MSS, Abu Dhabi
• President- Majlis, Thrissur
• Vice-president- MES Abu Dhabi Chapter
• President- Focus English School, Akalad
• President-MIC Akalad Unit
• President- Al Rahma Charitable Trust
• President- Valavattoor Orphanage, Abu Dhabi
• President- Thiruvathra Mahallu
• Chairman- All Kerala Console Charitable Trust
• Chairman- Valanchery Markaz, Abu Dhabi
• Advisory Board Member- Bab Al Shifa, Kerala
• Advisory Board Member- Hifl Quran, Kerala
• President- Kadappuram Panchayat, Anchangadi
• Director- Darshana TV
• Vice President- Dar ul Huda Arabic College
• Chief Patron- Hifzul Quran, Akalad Panchayat
Charity Activities
• Console Dialysis Centre- Free service to 53 persons
• Al Rahma Charitable Trust-Financial support for widows and children
• Bab Al Shifa- Provides financial help and medicine to patients
E P Sulaiman Haji, Managing Director
Leading the Way to Success
E P Sulaiman Haji is the Managing Director of Fathima Group International based in Abu Dhabi. Along with his brother E P Moosa Haji, the Chairman of the conglomerate, he has made Fathima Group International a well recognized name in the Middle East and beyond.
Fathima Group, with millions of turnover, has operations in retail and wholesale industry, catering, food and non-food industries, electronics and home appliances, travel and tourism, perfumes, fast food and hospitality industries. Most of Fathima Group’s business establishments are located in Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Other than UAE, the Group also has operations in India, Oman and Malaysia.
Awards & Honours
E P Sulaiman Haji has been conferred with Pravasi Bharati Udyog Pathra Award in 2012. He has also been honoured by Dubai KMCC Guruvayur Constituency Committee, UAE Thiruvathra Muslim Welfare Association, Abu Dhabi, Kadex 2013, Kerala Pravasi Cultural Centre, and Dubai KMCC(Thrissur District). E P Sulaiman Haji has received the first anniversary edition of the TCF Magazine named Piravi from Mr T N Prathapan MLA.
Family
E P Sulaiman Haji is married to …… The couple is blessed with five children. Elder daughter Reshida is married to Ajmal. Son Shemir Sulaiman, an MBA holder from UK, is also into the family business. He is married to Afra. Another son Safath Sulaiman, also an MBA holder from UK, is the Executive Director of Fathima Group. Younger son Sahin Sulaiman is pursuing MBA in Spain and younger daughter Rusafida is doing Plus Two.
E P Sulaiman Haji’s grand children are Mohammed Ahsab, Nuhaa Bint Sameer, Mohammed Rasal and Fathima Rouya.
Contact Details:
P O Box 4710
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Phone: 971 24433990
Fax: 971 24451781
Website: www.fathimagroup.com