Spotlight
Al Naboodah
Information last updated on 29 May 2024
Snapshot
Founding
Family Name:
Al Naboodah
Co-Founders’ Names
Saeed Juma Al Naboodah and Mohammed Juma Al Naboodah[1]
Earliest Documented Business Name:
Unknown
Founding Year:
1958[2]
Founding Location:
Dubai, United Arab Emirates[3]
Today
Current Operating Status:
Operating
Family Business Name:
Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group[4]
Headquarters Location:
Dubai, United Arab Emirates[5]
Key Industries:
Agriculture, Automotive, Construction, Electrical, Heavy Equipment, Hospitality, Commercial Vehicles[6]
Number of Employees:
10,000[7]
About the Founder and Founding Story
Saeed Juma Al Naboodah was born in 1934 in Dubai.[8] Around the age of seven, he began his education at a Kuttab or a Quran school, where young children received their early teachings.[9] These teachings commonly focus on the Quran and are held in the teacher’s house.[10] He then joined the Al Ahmadiya School, one of Dubai’s oldest schools, where he was taught writing, mathematics, religion, and Arabic studies.[11] As a young boy, Saeed was acquainted with Majid Al Futtaim and Abdulla Al Ghurair, who would later become prominent business figures in the UAE.[12] He and his acquaintances would often visit the majlis of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed, the late ruler of Dubai, who, along with the late Sheikh Zayed, led the efforts to form the United Arab Emirates.[13]
Saeed worked in trade since he was at least 18 years old.[14] His start in trade began in Ras Al Khaimah, where he worked as a trader in water pumps.[15] Around the age of 24, he had to take on the responsibility of supporting his extended family after his father died, which further fueled his interest in business.[16] In 1958, he and his younger brother, Mohammed Al Naboodah, opened a small shop in Deira, Dubai, specializing in agricultural machinery. The brothers started the business, which grew into the Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, with only 2,000 rupees.[17]
Growth Phase
In 1966, oil was first discovered in Dubai at the offshore Fateh field, and exported for the first time in 1969, marking the start of a transformation for the city and rapid development.[18] To meet the demands of Dubai’s subsequent construction boom, the brothers founded Al Naboodah Contracting in 1969.[19] Since its inception, the company has played an important role in Dubai’s development, undertaking infrastructure projects and constructing roads, bridges, and tunnels.[20]
During the 1970s, the business grew alongside the formation and development of the UAE. In 1971, when the UAE was formed, the Federal National Council (FNC) was established and initiated its first session in 1972.[21] Saeed Al Naboodah was one of the first 40 members elected to the council, serving from 1972 to 1978 and helping shape institutional development.[22] In 1973, the Al Qiyadah building in Deira was completed—Al Naboodah Group’s first official headquarters.[23] That same year, the group established Al Naboodah Travel.[24] Trans Gulf Electromechanical followed in 1975 to provide mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services to construction projects across the country.[25] In 1979, Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Holding Ltd was established to manage the expansion of the company’s operations. Swaidan Trading was established in the same year as the group’s commercial division.[26]
By the 1980s, the group was firmly established across the Emirates, and the second generation began to assume leadership roles.[27] In 1982, Abdullah, son of Mohammed Al Naboodah, became group chairman of Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group.[28] Following the establishment of Jebel Ali Port in 1979 and the growth of Dubai International Airport, the group in 1984 founded Al Naboodah Cargo Centre (later Al Naboodah Logistics) to meet the increasing cargo demands.[29] In 1988, Swaidan Trading became the exclusive distributor for Peugeot in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.[30] Saeed, meanwhile, served as president of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 1983 to 1997.[31]
During the 1990s, Dubai’s rapid growth as a business hub allowed the Al Naboodah Group to strengthen its construction division and diversify into new markets. In 1994, Al Naboodah Ready Mix Concrete (ARCON) was established to supply concrete.[32] In 2006, the group rebranded and merged its various business units.[33] The following year, a major partnership was signed with the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai to supply VDL City Buses for public transportation.[34] In 2022, Mohammed Al Naboodah received the Dubai Appreciation Award for Community Service, recognizing his family business’s contribution to national development.[35] In 2024, Saeed Al Naboodah passed away and was paid tribute by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as one of the UAE’s pioneering entrepreneurs.[36]
Today
Today, Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Holding LLC serves as the group’s parent company, while Al Naboodah Group Enterprises manages its two main operating divisions: Al Naboodah Construction Group (ANCG) and Al Naboodah Commercial Group (ACG).[37] From its Dubai headquarters, the business operates through its 15 main companies, primarily in the UAE but also in other GCC countries and farther abroad.[38]
Employing approximately 10,000 individuals across sectors including agriculture, automotive, construction, electrical, heavy equipment, hospitality, and commercial vehicles, the group is led by members of the second-generation: Chairman Abdullah Mohammed Al Naboodah and Managing Director Swaidan Saeed Juma Al Naboodah.[39] Third-generation members also hold leadership roles, including Fatima Ahmed Saeed Al Naboodah, group head of sustainability, and Shaikha Abdullah Mohammed Al Naboodah, group head of communications and marketing.[40]
Notes
Photo Credit: Co-founder Saeed Al Naboodah at an exhibition with public figures in Hong Kong, 1988. Image Credit: Gulf News Archives. Image Source: Gulf News website.
[1] “Al Naboodah Group Enterprises.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP, https://www.alnaboodah.com/About. Accessed 27 May 2024.
[2] “Al Naboodah Group Enterprises.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP.
[3] International Directory of Company Histories. Gale, a Cengage Company, 2021. Accessed 28 May 2024.
[4] “Al Naboodah Group Enterprises.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP.
[5] “Contact.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP, https://www.alnaboodah.com/Contact. Accessed 27 May 2024.
“ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2023.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP, https://www.alnaboodah.com/Static/docs/SR-EN.pdf. Accessed 27 May 2024.
[6] “Sectors – Listing.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP, https://www.alnaboodah.com/Sectors. Accessed 29 May 2024.
[7] “Al Naboodah Group Enterprises.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP.
[8] “Al Naboodah reminisces…” Gulf News, https://gulfnews.com/uae/al-naboodah-reminisces-1.403321. Accessed 28 May 2024.
“من هو سعيد بن جمعة النابودة؟ #صحيفة_البيان.” Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/AlBayanNews/videos/1724760841266794/ Accessed 28 May 2024
[9] “من هو سعيد بن جمعة النابودة؟ #صحيفة_البيان.” Facebook.
“«الكتاتيب» مراكز العــلم الأولى في الإمارات.” Emarat Alyoum, https://www.emaratalyoum.com/life/culture/2015-06-28-1.797770. Accessed 28 May 2024.
[10] “«الكتاتيب» مراكز العــلم الأولى في الإمارات.” Emarat Alyoum.
[11] “من هو سعيد بن جمعة النابودة؟ #صحيفة_البيان.” Facebook.
“«المدرسة الأحمدية».. حكايــة عمرها 100 عام.” Emarat Alyoum, https://www.emaratalyoum.com/life/four-sides/2012-09-05-1.509225. Accessed 28 May 2024.
[12] “من هو سعيد بن جمعة النابودة؟ #صحيفة_البيان.” Facebook.
[13] “سعيد النابودة.. لم يرث المال والتجارة، لكنه ورث ما هو أغلى.” صحيفة الأيام البحرينية, 25 March 2024, https://www.alayam.com/Article/courts-article/422084/Index.html. Accessed 28 May 2024.
“Founders of the Union | The Official Portal of the UAE Government.” The United Arab Emirates’ Government portal, https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/founders-of-the-union. Accessed 28 May 2024.
[14] “رحيل سعيد جمعة النابودة.. أحد رواد الأعمال في الإمارات.” الفجيرة اليوم, 14 March 2024, https://fujairahtoday.ae/2024/03/14/%D8%B1%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D8%AD%D8%AF-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B9%D9%85/. Accessed 28 May 2024.
[15] Al Naboodah reminisces…” Gulf News.
[16] Ibid.
[17] International Directory of Company Histories. Gale, a Cengage Company, 2021.
Equivalent to about 4100 USD in 2024, adjusted for inflation, according to World Bank and CPI data.
[18] Ghanem, Shihab M. A. Industrialization in the United Arab Emirates. Avebury, 1992. Accessed 13 June 2024.
[19] “Al Naboodah Group Enterprises.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP.
[20] Nair, Manoj, and Dhanusha Gokulan. “Legacy of Saeed Juma Al Naboodah: A trailblazer in UAE business and infrastructure.” Gulf News, 14 March 2024, https://gulfnews.com/business/legacy-of-saeed-juma-al-naboodah-a-trailblazer-in-uae-business-and-infrastructure-1.101637961. Accessed 28 May 2024.
“Al Naboodah Construction Company: Building a Legacy of Excellence.” Arab MLS, https://arabmls.org/al-naboodah-construction-company/. Accessed 28 May 2024.
[21] “Executive Affairs Authority – Government in the United Arab Emirates.” United Arab Emirates Executive Affairs Authority, https://eaa.gov.ae/en/pages/government-in-the-uae.html. Accessed 28 May 2024.
“Federal National Council | MFNCA.” وزارة الدولة لشؤون المجلس الوطني الاتحادي, 8 June 2022, https://www.mfnca.gov.ae/en/areas-of-focus/political-participation/federal-national-council/. Accessed 28 May 2024.
[22] “Al Naboodah Group Enterprises.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP.
“Dubai: Emirati businessman Saeed Juma Al Naboodah passes away.” Khaleej Times, 13 March 2024, https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/emirati-businessman-saeed-juma-al-naboodah-passes-away. Accessed 28 May 2024.
[23] “Al Naboodah Group Enterprises.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP.
[24] Ibid.
[25] Ibid.
[26] Ibid.
[27] Ibid.
[28] “Abdullah Mohammed Juma Al Naboodah.” LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullah-mohammed-juma-al-naboodah-91a808223/. Accessed 29 May 2024.
[29] “Al Naboodah Group Enterprises.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP.
[30] Ibid.
[31] Al Naboodah reminisces…” Gulf News.
[32] “Al Naboodah Group Enterprises.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP.
[33] Ibid.
[34] Ibid.
[35] “Mohammed bin Rashid honours winners.” Media Office, https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2022/November/15-11/HH-Mohammed-bin-Rashid-honours-winners-of-the-Dubai-Appreciation-Award-for-Community-Service. Accessed 29 May 2024.
[36] Al Amir, Khitam. “Sheikh Mohammed pays tribute to veteran Emirati businessman Saeed Juma Al Naboodah.” Gulf News, 13 March 2024, https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/sheikh-mohammed-pays-tribute-to-veteran-emirati-businessman-saeed-juma-al-naboodah-1.1710359247326. Accessed 29 May 2024.
[37] Nair, Manoj, and Dhanusha Gokulan. “Legacy of Saeed Juma Al Naboodah: A trailblazer in UAE business and infrastructure.” Gulf News.
[38] “Al Naboodah Group Enterprises.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP.
LSEG: Financial Markets Infrastructure and Data, https://www.lseg.com/. Accessed 29 May 2024.
[39] “Al Naboodah Group Enterprises.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP.
“Al Naboodah Corporate Brochure.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP, https://www.alnaboodah.com/Static/docs/corporate-brochure.pdf. Accessed 29 May 2024.
[40] “Sustainability.” SAEED & MOHAMMED AL NABOODAH GROUP, https://www.alnaboodah.com/Sustainability. Accessed 29 May 2024.
To cite this article please use:
“Al Naboodah” Family Business Histories Research Project, New York University Abu Dhabi and Tharawat Family Business Forum, 10 Sep. 2024, familybusinesshistories.org/spotlights/AlNaboodah