Recycling Service L.L.C
Sustainable Future
“Those planning to start their own business should first take the advice of experts and consultants”, agree Majed Suad Ahmed Al Battashi and Mahmoud Abdullah Rashid Al Amri.
In October 2014, Majed Ahmed Al Battashi and his partner, Mahmoud Abdullah Al Amri, bought a small waste recycling plant in the Wilayat of Ibra, in the Governorate of North A’Sharqiyah. They began developing and expanding the plant to include the recycling of paper, plastic and metal waste.
Commenting on the environmentally friendly business, Majed notes, “My partner Mahmoud Al Amri and I were looking for an idea for a sustainable business and came to meet the owner of a waste collection plant who was offering his business for sale. We were immediately excited by the opportunities in this emerging market. Aside from the plant being a commercial enterprise, recycling also significantly contributes to the protection of Oman’s environment and in preserving its cleanliness; a duty that everyone in our community should participate in. This was the primary reason why we did not hesitate in purchasing the business as the starting point of our “Recycling Services” company. From the very beginning we worked hard to expand the scope of recycled materials we are able to process, as well as seek out new clients. With the collective efforts of our team we were able to grow our operations and increase our turnover. However, the profits still remained quite low”.
In 2016, Majed and Mahmoud joined Zubair SEC and began attending workshops and sessions that were organised by the Centre for its members. They also discussed with the Zubair SEC advisors how they could develop and expand their business. Subsequently, they applied for the Direct Support Programme of 2017, relying on the progress of their business, which had completed almost three years. This experience helped them pass all the Programme assessment stages and get selected among the top ten members. They were subsequently chosen for the seat adopted by the Oman International Development and Investment Company (OMINVEST).
“We worked very hard in developing the business, but we still needed financial and technical support, which was the main reason we joined Zubair SEC. We benefitted greatly from the one-on-one advisory meetings and also from attending workshops. With regards to being selected for the Programme seat adopted by OMINVEST, it proved to be a major milestone in the journey of our business as we worked together on a development plan to grow the business further”, says Mahmoud.
OMINVEST assisted Majed and Mahmoud with obtaining a financial loan with suitable facilities from the National Finance Company. Zubair SEC also helped them in signing an agreement with LuLu Hypermarket branch in Ibra, which was the second branch they cooperated with, after the one in Nizwa. Due to the good reputation acquired by the novice business, and the trust demonstrated by a leading organisation such as OMINVEST, Majed and Mahmoud were able to sign an agreement with Oman Environmental Services Holding Company, Be’ah, to obtain the official accreditation and authorization to collect and recycle used car batteries in Oman. “Recycling Services” also became registered for waste collection from OMINVEST, Zubair Automotive, and Oasis Water.
“As the leading and largest investment holding company in Oman, we are intensely invested in the future prosperity of Oman, with an emphasis on supporting aspiring entrepreneurs. We recognise start-ups and SMEs are crucial to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth. Ominvest has been a catalyst for empowering local businesses and creating opportunities for Omani nationals. We are delighted to support Al Battashi and Al Amri and their company. We are certain that they will create greater value and deliver a positive impact in the society through the environmental services their company offers. We appreciate the efforts of Zubair SEC in continually creating opportunity for new entrepreneurs. Zubair SEC has become a significant player which links large companies with Omani SMEs and start-ups”, says Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Balushi, Group CEO, Ominvest.
“Joining Zubair SEC’s Direct Support Programme has been a turning point for us; in addition to automating our financial management transactions and covering some of our due payments, and developing our internal communication system, the greatest benefit was the facilitated loan we managed to receive through the National Finance Company, facilitated by OMINVEST. This loan enabled us to procure a new fully equipped truck to safely collect and transport general waste, and lead acid batteries (LAB) to recycling facilities. Tailored to the highest standards by Zubair Automotive, the modified truck has increased our capacity for collections. Zubair Automotive have also modified another truck we have to cater for our business needs and increased capacity, and the modified truck was fully branded with the support of Zubair SEC”, says Majed.
The new procured truck helped increase the waste collection capacity of “Recycling Services” company from the current 100 tons/month to 400 tons/month, and increase operational efficiency by reducing the number of needed manpower per collected ton from the current 6 employees/8 tons to 1 employee/8 tons, as well as reducing the time needed from 16 hours/8 tons to 1 hour/8 tons of collected recyclable waste.
A part of the financial grant obtained through the Direct Support Programme was also used to set up a new office for the business, within the waste collection yard.
Aspiring to reach new markets through export, Mahmoud says, “We are ambitious and we will not stop at any one stage of development. Initially, our greatest concern was being able to reach clients and collect more recyclable wastes. We have subsequently moved on to the next stage of exporting to the United Arab Emirates and have contemplated exporting to other countries and the possibility of finding new markets”.
Majed and Mahmoud advise all those planning to start their own business to first take the advice of experts and consultants.
“We would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to Zubair SEC for their efforts in developing the SMEs sector and their tireless support to entrepreneurs in Oman. The support they provide, including consultations, workshops, market advice, exploring partnerships, and financial support for members is invaluable. They have certainly set an example for others to follow. We would also like to thank OMINVEST for their continuous support and for helping us make our business one of the leading specialised companies in the field of recycling waste in the Sultanate. Their initiative is a great example of the important role such leading companies have in supporting small enterprises to grow and develop”, say Majed Al Battashi and Mahmoud Al Amri.
This seat adopted by:
