BMMI

BMMI

Company type	Public (BSE)
Industry	Retailing, Distribution (business), Logistics
Founded	Bahrain (1883)
Headquarters	Sitra, Bahrain
Key people	Gordon Boyle (CEO)
Number of employees	Over 2000 (2013)
Website	Official website

Based in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and with international operations, BMMI is a diversified retail and distribution and contract services and supply group, supported by a world-class integrated logistics capability. The Group specialises in the wholesale, distribution and retail of food and beverages and represents a leading portfolio of global household name brands.

BMMI is also a fully fledged international provider of end-to-end supply chain solutions, integrated facility management, logistics and procurement services to governments and to non-governmental, commercial and military organisations. BMMI manages its activities through establishing strategic branches, associates and joint ventures in Kingdom of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Djibouti, Mali, Ghana, Gabon, Republic of Sudan, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Kenya.

Listed on the Bahrain Bourse (BSE), BMMI is one of the fastest growing companies in its sector, with an annual turnover exceeding US$300 million. The Group adopts a performance-driven, customer-focused business approach, in line with international standards and global best practices.

History

In 1883 Gray Paul, a British-owned merchant company operating in the Persian Gulf, established a local branch in Bahrain. Following a merger in 1936, the company was renamed Gray Mackenzie, and in 1955 it became part of the Inchcape Group.

In 1980, the Group formed a joint venture with Bahraini shareholders to form Bahrain Maritime & Mercantile International (BMMI). The new company was later listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange. When Inchcape divested its shareholding in 1999, BMMI became a wholly Bahraini-owned public shareholding company. In 2003, the Group widened its shareholding base to investors across the GCC.

In 2013, BMMI celebrated 130 years of operations in the Persian Gulf, and in 2010 the company legally changed its name from Bahrain Maritime and Mercantile International to just the acronym BMMI.

Core business areas

Beverages

BMMI Shops is a key player in the distribution, wholesale, and retail of beverages in Bahrain and represents many of the world’s major companies in the sector, such as AB Inbev, Bacardi, Brown-Forman, Diageo, Heineken and Moët & Chandon.

Using its long experience and extensive knowledge of the local marketplace to provide maximum exposure for the leading global beverages agencies and brands that it represents in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Dedicated brand executives, supported by a well trained sales and marketing team, work with international brand principals to ensure a high level of brand equity and awareness.

BMMI Shops currently operates a retail outlet in Mina Salman which is staffed by friendly and knowledgeable salespeople and offers a home delivery service through the BMMI Shops’ website. BMMI Shops delivers a dedicated service for the licensed trade, with clients including hotels, restaurants, clubs and other licensed outlets. The latest hand-held technology is utilised to ensure optimum stock control and efficient deliveries. Assistance is provided for draught beer line cleaning, stockroom management and product layout.

In 2009, the group purchased the MacAndrew’s brand of Scotch whisky, making it the first BMMI Shops owned beverage. MacAndrew’s is currently distributed in Bahrain, the UAE and Oman, with plans to penetrate the international market in the near future.

Supermarkets

BMMI owns and operates Alosra Supermarket, which has become renowned as one of the Kingdom’s most quality-driven premium retailers. With its expertly trained staff and premium quality offerings, Alosra has successfully carved out a leading market share of the Kingdom’s high-end grocery sector, with a loyal and discerning customer base.

Among the various supermarket offerings present in Bahrain today, Alosra retains a distinctive edge. Its reputation and brand has been built on over thirty years of consistent quality and the delivery of a wide range of local and international products; the personal and friendly atmosphere created in stores; the expert service and premium knowledge staff demonstrate, and Alosra’s absolute commitment to the communities they operate in.

The Group currently operates six Alosra supermarkets in Bahrain, located at Amwaj Islands, Durrat Al Bahrain, Juffair, Riffa and Saar. In 2015, Alosra expanded internationally with a new supermarket in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

Alosra has also made history by being the first supermarket in Bahrain to implement an Integrated Management System (IMS) and has been awarded with international certification in quality, health and safety, food safety and the environment. In this way, the retailer ensures that they offer the best shopping experience and top quality, safe products to their customers.

Additionally, the Group has also launched a state-of-the-art online shopping portal to take advantage of this growing sector. The dedicated e-commerce website, alosraonline.com, boasts a growing portfolio of over 7,500 products and is set to be one of Bahrain’s leading online shopping websites.

Convenience meals & cafés

In 2009, BMMI established the Great Deli to fill the widening gap in the market between gourmet quality food and competitively priced meals. The brand offers a convenient range of ready-to-eat salads, sushi, sandwiches and wraps, which proved to be the ideal lunchtime companion for people-on-the-go.

A year after its launch, the brand further expanded its gourmet offering with the introduction of the Great Deli Café. This retail promises a unique dining experience with an eclectic European menu that includes an array of hearty, home-style breakfasts, soups, salads, baguettes, cakes and fresh beverages. Two outlets currently exist for the Great Deli Café, one at the Najibi Centre in Saar and another at Alosra Amwaj, with plans to open additional outlets in the future.

Contract Services and Supply

Working to the highest international standards, Global Sourcing & Supply (GSS), the integrated facilities management subsidiary of BMMI, successfully provides a comprehensive range of contracted services to a broad customer base in mature and developing markets.

These services include:

Remote site and facilities management

Catering, janitorial, laundry, security, property and maintenance services.

Provision of camps and temporary structures

Source, ship and fully integrate the provision of temporary structures for accommodation, kitchens, messing, recreation, offices and retail.

Rations supply

Support rations in contingent and active war zones while maintaining product integrity throughout the supply chain.

Technical sourcing and supply

One-stop sourcing and procurement of industrial hardware, equipment and spare parts with access to an extensive catalogue of products.

Contract logistics

Supply of temperature sensitive rations to support military, governmental, NGO and commercial clients in Middle East and Africa.

GSS also provides complete site support services and offers turn-key solutions in the establishment and management of remote site operations to industries as diverse as mining, construction, agriculture, oil and gas in Africa and the Middle East.

GSS currently operates in Bahrain, Djibouti, Gabon, Ghana, Iraq, Kenya, Mali, Qatar, Sudan, South Sudan and Washington DC, providing flexible options for logistics and service delivery and engaging with a broad customer base.

Contract Services

BMMI’s contractual business activities are supported by an international state-of-the-art logistics and supply chain infrastructure.

Operating to the highest quality and standards, BMMI runs its world-class warehousing services, located in the Kingdom of Bahrain, State of Qatar and Republic of Djibouti, using the latest very narrow aisle (VNA) racking technology, temperature-controlled storage areas, specialised material handling equipment and state-of the art, Oracle-based warehouse management system and identification technologies for stock control.

Through more than 120 supplier partnerships, BMMI sources food and consumables either directly from manufacturers and brand owners, or via third party consolidators. On average 10 million cases are handled annually (equivalent to around 30,000 TEUs).

Grocery Distribution

BMMI is a major distributor and wholesaler of leading international food and household goods brands in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Qatar. BMMI specialises in the distribution, wholesale and retail of food and household goods. The Group represents a leading portfolio of renowned global brands in confectionery, packaged and canned food, toiletries, fragrances, cosmetics, tobacco and other domestic products.

BMMI’s extensive experience as a wholesaler and distributor of food and other consumables can be traced back to its early days when the Company was known as Gray Mackenzie (see Group History).

Today, BMMI is one of the top four wholesalers and distributors in Bahrain, with an estimated 20 per cent share of the market. The Group has established a reputation for ethical trading, professionalism and customer service. The Group’s strategy is to build and maintain a brand portfolio that focuses on quality rather quantity. Strict selection criteria include brand innovation, and the ability to fill a clearly identified gap in the market.

BMMI represents a number of leading international agencies and household name brands in Bahrain, including MARS, Red Bull, American Garden, Colgate-Palmolive, Henkel, Yardley, Japan Tobacco, Crème 21, Bubchen and Jergens.

In 2003, BMMI acquired a 50 per cent stake and day-to-day management control of ZAD Marketing and Distribution, a long-established food and household goods wholesaler and distributor in the State of Qatar. ZAD represents a number of leading international agencies and household name brands in Qatar, including Hershey’s, Storck, Paseo, Banana Boat, McBride plc, Himalaya, Palmer’s, Kent, Trim, Original Addition, American Garden and Chubs.

Restaurants

In 2013, BMMI made a strategic decision to expand into hospitality sector by investing BD 1.5 million to establish two new themed restaurants in Adliya, Bahrain.

The first establishment, La Vinoteca Barcelona, is the island's first truly authentic Mediterranean restaurant, celebrating the passionate culture and gastronomy of Spain. The second establishment, Café Amsterdam, BMMI’s own brand, is a unique multi-concept restaurant, featuring a first of kind use of space in Bahrain. Café Amsterdam is a modern European restaurant offering multiple dining, lounging and nightlife experiences under one roof.

Joint Ventures and Subsidiaries

BMMI strategically seeks and builds strong alliances with various partners in the region to further expand its presence and expertise in order to offer exceptional service to its diverse customer base.

Collaborating with some of the world and region’s top entities, BMMI has been able to create strong relationships that have translated into thriving projects and joint ventures over the years.

B&B Logistics

B&B Logistics is a joint venture between BMMI and BANZ, a leading Bahrain-based trading, supply chain and warehousing services group. The company specialises in the construction and operation of world-class, temperature-controlled warehousing facilities for clients across the MENA region.

To date, B&B Logistics has completed two state-of-the-art warehousing complexes in the GCC and East Africa. The first is a US$5 million supply chain complex covering 17,500 square metres in Djibouti Free Zone, to support BMMI’s contact-based food and consumables supply business in the Horn of Africa.

The second is a US$8 million supply chain and logistics complex at Mina Salman Port in Bahrain. The largest and most sophisticated air-conditioned facility in the port area, it has a total storage capacity of 12,000 pallets and incorporates the latest very narrow aisle (VNA) racking technology, and specialised material handling equipment with a vertical reach of up to 11 metres.

In Bahrain, this premium bonded warehouse operation includes all facets of operations associated with inventory management: receiving, distribution, warehousing, inventory control, delivery and transportation. It is a world-class facility covering a wide area for high and low bay storage, for inventory, order fulfilment, shipment, and administration. A team of dedicated logistics professionals strive to ensure the highest level of service, responding to customer needs.

Services include:

Customs clearing Port haulage Warehousing Duty payment Order picking Damaged goods destruction Retail distribution Modern logistics in motion, the company evolves by continually enhancing operations with its doctrines and practices based on commercial disciplines and international standards.

Inchcape Shipping Services Bahrain

Inchcape Shipping Services Bahrain (ISS Bahrain) is a joint venture between BMMI and Inchcape Shipping Services, the world’s leading marine services provider, with a proprietary network of over 200 offices worldwide.

ISS Bahrain provides a comprehensive range of port agency, vessel husbandry, container liner, freight-forwarding, marine survey, and project support services in the Kingdom.

Across its local network, the ISS Bahrain team provides a comprehensive range of services that includes:

Marine & Government Services

Port Agency services to vessels at all the following ports and terminals:

Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) Mina Sulman Port (MSP) Arab Ship Repair Yard (ASRY) Bahrain Petroleum Co (BAPCO) Gulf Petrochemical Industries Co (GPIC) Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA) Gulf Industrial Investment Co (GIIC) Private jetties Full vessel husbandry services are provided for all vessel types and cargo commodities, from wet to dry bulk to containerized and general cargoes as well as naval, offshore and dry-dock calls. All services are ISO 90001:2000 certified guaranteeing quality and consistency wherever and whenever you call into a Bahrain port.

P&I Services

As Lloyds Agents since 1862, ISS Bahrain acts as marine and cargo surveyors, loss adjusters, flag state inspectors and consultants, in addition to being correspondents to many international P&I Clubs.

Liner Services

The well-established Liner division provides representation, sales, documentation and container handling for several major lines including Hapag-Lloyd and PIL.

Logistics

The Freight Forwarding division provides a comprehensive range of marine logistics services including full cargo import and export services by air and sea worldwide, local customs clearance facilities at all air, sea ports and land borders, as well as local haulage, distribution and warehousing facilities. Recently, ISS Bahrain saw the introduction of the Projects Division which has continued to grow into this key sector as well enabling Inchcape Shipping Services (Bahrain)to offer the complete in-house solution to all your shipping and marine requirements.

ISS Bahrain coordinates all stages of your supply chain, adapting their services to your needs and ensuring a prompt and efficient service delivery that consistently aims to exceed your expectations.

ZAD Marketing and Distribution

In 2003, the Group acquired a 50 percent stake and day-to-day management control of ZAD Marketing and Distribution, a long-established food and household goods wholesaler and distributor in the State of Qatar.

ZAD represents a number of leading international agencies and household name brands in Qatar, including Hershey’s, Storck, Paseo, Banana Boat, McBride, Himalaya, Hershey’s, Palmer’s, Kent, Trim, Original Addition, American Garden and Chubs.

UQLC

In 2013, BMMI entered into a joint venture with Gulftainer Group, a UAE based company, for the provision of warehousing, camp design, office management and facility management solutions in Umm Qasr, Iraq. The joint venture with Gulftainer will operate in the Umm Qasr Port where BMMI will manage different facilities accommodating employees and visitors working in the port.

With its extensive experience in the African and Middle East markets, BMMI and its subsidiary Global Sourcing & Supply (GSS) are totally committed to delivering ‘quality of life’ to their global clients, their employees and their customers through the procurement, provision and mobilisation of high-quality services in “difficult-to-operate” environments.

Social responsibility

For BMMI, social responsibility and sustainability extend beyond compliance. It is not about mitigating harm, but rather adding real value to all who interact with our company.

Real value today is often reduced to profits, and while economic growth is a vital pillar to sustainability, BMMI seeks to be a company that enriches all who are associated with it—not just our shareholders. This is the true measure of Excellence and Achievement.

With a heavy involvement in the food industry, we see ourselves as a company that nourishes the lives of our customers, our employees, our customers, the communities in which we operate and our planet. Therefore we have launched our Sustainability Policy: Nourishing Life. Driven by 75 commitments, our sustainability policy, consists of three over-lapping themes: Truth, Zero Waste, and Wellbeing.

Our Vision

BMMI nourishes its customers, employees, communities, the earth, and all stakeholders that interact with the company.

At BMMI, corporate citizenship is not a new concept. We have acted as a caring and responsible organisation through our Alosra Charitable Foundation, provided financial and in-kind support to different charities and NGOs, and provided skills enhancements of farmers and local suppliers throughout our supply chain. As an ISO 14001 certified company for environmental management, our Integrated Management System (IMS) has provided thorough and rigorous standards for environmental management, food safety, and occupational health and safety.

We recognise that as with any worthy endeavour, sustainability at BMMI will be an on-going and continuously evolving journey. And in line with our first corporate value—Honesty—we commit to being transparent and sharing the challenges we face, the lessons we learn, our achievements and how we got there. We also recognise that none of this can be achieved without working with our stakeholder eco-system, so we ask you to join us on this journey.

Testimony to our commitment to corporate social responsibility is our investment in the training of our people, for both professional and personal development. We build local talent that not only benefits BMMI but also the economic development in each of the countries in which we operate. Having access to such opportunities not only motivates our team but maintains our competitive advantage of delivering exceptional service.

In addition to education, local employment remains a component of our CSR strategy. BMMI provides work opportunities to the local market, thereby making a significant contribution to our communities.

From local employment to local procurement, we aim to 'think local'. BMMI also engages with suppliers and customers to understand the existing food supply set up, evaluate the quality of local products available and work towards reducing the amount of products imported. Over time, BMMI is confident that our dedication and commitment to sustainable development will result in an improved reputation, a powerful brand, and a winning business.

External links

• BMMI BSC