Bhaskaran K. Edathody: Pursuing His Passion To Supply High Quality Chemical & Petrochemical Products & Services
Bhaskaran K. Edathody
Director
GDC, a subsidiary of Al-Othman Holding, is a supplier of hard-to-find chemicals in addition to the usual supply of various Drilling Admixtures in which they are expertized, and its customers can expect on time delivery while meeting their demands. An experienced business leader and professional, Bhaskaran K. Edathody is guiding the company towards achieving its objectives to the best of his abilities. Bhaskaran K. Edathody engages in an exclusive interaction with the CEO Insights Magazine.
Please give a brief account of your professional background and experiences. How has your journey been with Gulf Desert Chemical Company, and what drives you today?
I have been in the chemicals industry for many years now; however, my career began as an Executive in Tulsiani Chambers, Mumbai, from 1980 to 1982. I was offered the role of Executive Secretary in TRADCO, Saudi Arabia, which is when I relocated overseas, which helped me gain more comprehensive knowledge of business and administration. After a year, I joined RAWABI and was with it since its inception, carrying out broad knowledge in sales and marketing; and many other areas of expertise for the company by retiring from them as the Sales Manager.
After contributing 28 years of service, I joined ERAM Trading and Contracting Co. Ltd. under ERAM Group as their Divisional Manager, Trading. There, I established its
trading division by supplying various Drilling/ Industrial Grade Chemicals to Saudi ARAMCO and other major users in KSA. All these roles made me better suited to my current position as Director of Business Services at GDC, and my journey with the company has been smooth.
How would you define Gulf Desert Chemical Company as an organization and its current position in the market? Tell us about your flagship offerings.
Gulf Desert Chemical (GDC), a subsidiary of AlOthman Holding, is an integrated chemical company passionate about supplying high quality chemical & petrochemical products and services. GDC's business started by stocking and supplying various grades of Drilling Admixtures. Today, GDC's integration covers the cycle from sourcing and procuring, formulation and manufacturing, packaging and refilling, warehousing and logistics, as well as technical support. GDC signs long-term representation agreements with world-renowned Drilling Admixture manufacturers from India, China, the United States of America, etc.
Our client Saudi ARAMCO gets a robust backup for importing and supplying these highly essential materials as ‘safety stock’ items, so their operations can run smoothly. Besides serving our major client Saudi ARAMCO, we also cater various chemical requirements for other industries like oil and gas, petrochemical, manufacturing of paint, glass, cement, detergent, upstream and downstream chemicals, process chemicals users, laboratory, food and beverage, and water treatment chemicals. We aim to satisfy local needs by participating in enhancing local content with expertise from across the globe.
Tell us about your leadership approach and the guidelines or methodologies you follow to lead your team
Transparency and integrity, encouraging innovation and creativity while promoting health and safety at the workplace, are the guiding values of my leadership philosophy. Our broad vision is driven by people who are our greatest asset. Fairness, transparency, accountability, and ethics are the main elements of our
Persistence and perseverance is the key. Have faith and keep working towards your goals while trusting the process. It will happen soon. Slow and steady wins the race
How would you define Gulf Desert Chemical Company as an organization and its current position in the market? Tell us about your flagship offerings.
Gulf Desert Chemical (GDC), a subsidiary of AlOthman Holding, is an integrated chemical company passionate about supplying high quality chemical & petrochemical products and services. GDC's business started by stocking and supplying various grades of Drilling Admixtures. Today, GDC's integration covers the cycle from sourcing and procuring, formulation and manufacturing, packaging and refilling, warehousing and logistics, as well as technical support. GDC signs long-term representation agreements with world-renowned Drilling Admixture manufacturers from India, China, the United States of America, etc.
Our client Saudi ARAMCO gets a robust backup for importing and supplying these highly essential materials as ‘safety stock’ items, so their operations can run smoothly. Besides serving our major client Saudi ARAMCO, we also cater various chemical requirements for other industries like oil and gas, petrochemical, manufacturing of paint, glass, cement, detergent, upstream and downstream chemicals, process chemicals users, laboratory, food and beverage, and water treatment chemicals. We aim to satisfy local needs by participating in enhancing local content with expertise from across the globe.
Tell us about your leadership approach and the guidelines or methodologies you follow to lead your team
Transparency and integrity, encouraging innovation and creativity while promoting health and safety at the workplace, are the guiding values of my leadership philosophy. Our broad vision is driven by people who are our greatest asset. Fairness, transparency, accountability, and ethics are the main elements of our
corporate governance structured to achieve the business purpose efficiently and fairly for all stakeholders. Our team is always working on improving customer experience. Since our customers have put faith and trust in our services, we always try to create a win-win situation under a give and take policy.
Going forward, what are the changes in market behavior that you anticipate, and what are the opportunities you foresee?
Chemicals are one of five high growth-potential, export oriented industries intended to drive initiatives such as Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of diversifying the economy and increasing the manufacturing share of GDP. Although the competition is at a high level, we always keep track of prices by keeping enough safety stock so that customers won’t suffer. As Saudi Arabia is moving forward with 70:30 IKTVA (In-Kingdom Total Value Add)with 70percent availability within the Kingdom by 2030, we are looking at various options for meeting this goal.
Considering your strong experience within the industry, what advice would you give to budding industry leaders?
Be customer-friendly and passionate, know your market, be prepared with your finances, and keep them in order. Sometimes you would be needed to make sacrifices, so be prepared for them too. Partner with your suppliers and customers, be flexible and delegate authority wherever and whenever required.
Bhaskaran K. Edathody, Director, Gulf Desert Chemical Company, Saudi Arabia
Bhaskaran K. Edathody graduated from the University of Calicut with B. Com in 1980. He is an experienced business professional and has spent four decades in the chemical industry of Saudi Arabia. He enjoys driving, visiting new places along with family members, reading, cracking jokes to incite laughter, and watching good movies now and then.
Awards & Recognition:
•Golden Global Indian Award by the Institute of Economic Studies (IES), Delhi
•President of WMC(World MalayaleeCouncil), Dammam 2012–14 and Vice Chairman of Middle East(GCC).
•Executive Member of YATRA Samiti Working Committee of GCC(Gulf Cooperation Countries).
•Ex-Patron of BDK(Blood Donors Kerala)'s Bahrain Chapter(1916 - 1919)
•Past President of Al-Suwaiket Toastmasters Club No.1895343-79
•Bahrain Coordinator of MFG (Malayalee Friends Group)Head Quartered at Ahmedabad, India.
Going forward, what are the changes in market behavior that you anticipate, and what are the opportunities you foresee?
Chemicals are one of five high growth-potential, export oriented industries intended to drive initiatives such as Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of diversifying the economy and increasing the manufacturing share of GDP. Although the competition is at a high level, we always keep track of prices by keeping enough safety stock so that customers won’t suffer. As Saudi Arabia is moving forward with 70:30 IKTVA (In-Kingdom Total Value Add)with 70percent availability within the Kingdom by 2030, we are looking at various options for meeting this goal.
Considering your strong experience within the industry, what advice would you give to budding industry leaders?
Be customer-friendly and passionate, know your market, be prepared with your finances, and keep them in order. Sometimes you would be needed to make sacrifices, so be prepared for them too. Partner with your suppliers and customers, be flexible and delegate authority wherever and whenever required.
Bhaskaran K. Edathody, Director, Gulf Desert Chemical Company, Saudi Arabia
Bhaskaran K. Edathody graduated from the University of Calicut with B. Com in 1980. He is an experienced business professional and has spent four decades in the chemical industry of Saudi Arabia. He enjoys driving, visiting new places along with family members, reading, cracking jokes to incite laughter, and watching good movies now and then.
Awards & Recognition:
•Golden Global Indian Award by the Institute of Economic Studies (IES), Delhi
•President of WMC(World MalayaleeCouncil), Dammam 2012–14 and Vice Chairman of Middle East(GCC).
•Executive Member of YATRA Samiti Working Committee of GCC(Gulf Cooperation Countries).
•Ex-Patron of BDK(Blood Donors Kerala)'s Bahrain Chapter(1916 - 1919)
•Past President of Al-Suwaiket Toastmasters Club No.1895343-79
•Bahrain Coordinator of MFG (Malayalee Friends Group)Head Quartered at Ahmedabad, India.