Omega Paints and Chemical Industries is one of the oldest paint manufacturers in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arabian Gulf Peninsula. Known for its flagship brand, Omega, it was established over 45 years ago as a general trading company by the late Ahmed Ebrahim Mohamed, catering to Bahrain, Beirut, Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh, and Sharjah, and representing popular paint brands, building materials as well as decorative coatings from countries like UK, Europe, and Lebanon.

During the 70s at a time when Bahrain was undergoing drastic transformation with widespread infrastructure development, the late Ahmed and his son Hamed Alshawi foresaw continued rising demand for building and construction related products which led them to establish several companies over the following decades starting with Omega Paints Chemical Industries in the 80s for the production of decorative coatings, wood finishing, epoxies, auto and industrial paints, and followed by the establishment of Artcon, which specializes in the paint applicator business.

Omega Paints partnered with world-class suppliers like Bayer, Dupont, Evonik, and BYK, and its global conquests was highlighted by an international recognition for high quality assurance under ISO 9001:2000.

Hamed Al Shawi is setting his sights on carving a bigger niche in the global market, to set the bar higher not only for Omega Paints, but also for other locally produced paint brands to stand at par with internationally renowned brands.

BEntrepreneur interviews Hamed Al Shawi and delves more on his visionary plans of for more international achievements, innovative products, and better solutions to continuously improve the industry’s standards of quality and processes.

Can you tell us about the concept of Omega Paints and what inspired you to create the business?

Omega Paints started manufacturing in 1980 as we got the license approved by the government at that time. Actually my father started trading in building materials, and he started in the 50s and he had very nice brands of paint, at the same time he had a very good customer base and we had the biggest stocks of paint at that point in time from well-known companies producing paint throughout the world.

The materials started to come in demand as more and more buildings started rising here. The paint demand was never ending because once you have started constructing a house or a building, you have to maintain it all the time. So we started thinking of making a paint factory here and we worked on creating the first paint product in Bahrain which is 100% locally manufactured, not tied up or in partnership with other paint manufacturers around the world.

So made in Bahrain, truly a homegrown business. Now, can you tell us about the challenges that you have faced in the business and how you were able to overcome it?

The challenges are unlimited as any other business. But if you have a strong ability you could continue. With confidence in yourself, and with trust in the people whom you are working with, you will not come across any problem. Alhamdulillah, you will persist and continue to give your best.

Can you please tell us how innovation and creativity play a role in this business of paints?

We create our paint products with the environment in mind. That’s the difference between our materials and the materials of other products. Out of experience in working with other big international companies, wherein we are agents for them, we come across requirements wherein we had to twist a little of the materials, and we had to ask them to manufacture a special material to suit what we need.We start getting what we need as we reformulate the products. And we tested them over a period of time, by applying the material on certain products, and we watch closely what happens until we find out that we are successful, and we ask them if they came up with better results as compared to other materials which were manufactured for example, in Europe.

That exact material is not 100% suitable to our climate, so I started experimenting with different materials that could produce the desired results. After I started helping my father in production, he came across this point. And when we ask the supplier for the materials, we specify the materials which are suitable to our conditions… we choose the best of the best.

Definitely success comes with a price which is innovation and creativity, and ensuring suitability to the environment, as Mr. Hamad has said. So what’s next for Omega Paints, and what do you wish to achieve in the next five to seven years?

Omega Paints was born and started in Bahrain, and the brand is now ISO certified. The company is looking forward to more international achievements, to become well known as other international paint companies, to be in parallel with other big names in the paint business. Whenever you start with a business, you should aim on getting better and bigger. That is what I want to achieve.

What advice can you give to entrepreneurs in this country wherein many entrepreneurs want to push their businesses forward?

They have to believe in themselves, in their abilities. Always try to look for the best of modern technology, and deliver the best requirements to the customer. Listen carefully to customers’ comments to gain their trust. Give them whatever they need, but without sacrificing quality. Quality should never be compromised. That is what’s important and what gives the assurance of quality.