Q1: Al Masaood Group recently launched ‘Project Wiqaya’. Tell us about this campaign.
For more than 50 years of our journey as an organization, the welfare of our community has always been one of our core values and priorities. Project Wiqaya is a real example of how we continue to honour our commitment to our employees and the community, with the aim of protecting the health and safety of our employees, customers, and the members of the community in line with the highest international standards. It also aligns with the precautionary measures being implemented by the UAE Government in response to the pandemic the world is facing today.
Project Wiqaya is focused on providing a helping hand through innovation solutions that ensure business continuity while enhancing the Group's preparedness to address challenging situations. It is based on four main principles: protecting the wellbeing of Al Masaood’s employees and customers; launching new and effective virtual ways of working and reducing unnecessary interactions; accelerating the adoption of new work mechanisms for the Group and its customers through advanced technologies and apps developed by our business units; and anticipating global economic scenarios while taking proactive measures to minimize the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the Group and its businesses.
The measures implemented by the UAE authorities have been commendable, being one of the first governments which had acted immediately and addressed the pandemic locally and globally. It adopted important steps to control and prevent the outbreak from further spreading and we remain committed to supporting the government’s initiatives and comply with the directives of our nation’s leaders to protect the safety of employees, customers and community members, while we ensure to maintain excellence in providing services to meet the expectations of our customers.
Q2: Al Masaood is a group of companies operating across various sectors. Tell us about the main initiatives launched by the Group's companies and their contributions to the government efforts.
As previously stated, Project Wiqaya is being implemented across the Group's companies, divisions and service centers. This includes the free car sanitization services by Al Masaood Tyres, Batteries and Accessories (TBA), which is made available for all customers to enhance their protection as well as the community’s safety against viruses, germs and bacteria. Al Masaood Automobiles is also providing free vehicle sanitization following the completion of scheduled maintenance and inspection services, making sure that the cars are disinfected before returning them to the customers.
Among other initiatives, Al Masaood Automobiles has also stepped up its online services through its car booking and purchasing system via the website www.nissanbuyonline.com, becoming the first Nissan dealer in the Middle East to provide the service. In addition, we go the extra mile for owners of Nissan, INFINITI and Renault vehicles in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the western region, and enable them to get their scheduled car maintenance done from the comfort of their homes. Al Masaood Automobiles picks up our customers ‘cars from their homes, carries out scheduled maintenance and returns the cars to the customers, a move that makes it easier for customers to stay home and support the government's precautionary measures for health and safety.
TBA also provides door-to-door delivery services through its mobile assist service van to help clients get their requested tyres delivered to their homes. The mobile assist van can also perform simple repairs that include tyre maintenance, repair of punctures, changing batteries, wheel balancing, and nitrogen filling service.
Al Masaood Power, our provider of advanced energy solutions, has setup a dedicated team of specialists who are prepared to support the needs of their customers in the government and private sector for various products and services. Al Masaood Power supported health facilities such as hospitals, first aid centers, emergency centers, and field hospitals to ensure business and service continuity to enable them to respond to any emergency at any time. In addition, the company has boosted its operational readiness in Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD) by strengthening all capabilities to address various needs that facilities may require such as mobile and fixed electric generators, spare parts and maintenance and repair teams 24/7.
For the Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles & Equipment Division, increasing the readiness of after-sales services workforce has been the core of their preparedness. The Division is implementing the necessary maintenance and periodic checks for a number of UD Trucks and Renault trucks that are used by Tadweer (The Center of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi) during the national sterilization program. This step aims to ensure efficiency in operations, availability of all the spare parts that these trucks may need, as well as the readiness of the team to immediately respond and locate these trucks to provide on-the-ground assistance in case of emergency.
Q3: Since its inception, Al Masaood Group has been one of the first to launch social responsibility initiatives and its name has become known for its commitment to the community and society. What are the humanitarian and social initiatives the company is doing in light of the spread of coronavirus?
Indeed, Al Masaood has shown its commitment over time towards humanitarian and social aid, as this has always been at the core values of our founders. The management and leadership, as well as the various teams, have been working together to honor this commitment.
In line with our Corporate Social Responsibility, and in these times of uncertainty and fear around the world, we continue to stay on the front lines to support people in need. We are in a country known around the world for its humanitarian activities and efforts, helping and empowering people everywhere in the face of challenge. UAE is the equivalent of brotherhood, humanity and giving.
The Group has created a special team to work 24/7 and provide the necessary support, including maintenance and tyre change services for government rescue and emergency teams’ vehicles.
In support to the ‘Thank You Heroes’ campaign, TBA provided free services to medical staff who have been working tirelessly and risking their lives to fight COVID-19, and protect the health and safety of citizens and residents alike in the country. Moreover, Revolution Accessories, the official distributor of Ducati motorcycles in the UAE, has provided free basic maintenance services to all owners of its motorcycles who are working in the first line of defense and the medical sector.
I can only say that during these unprecedented circumstances, I urge all members of the society and our partners to join hands so together we can overcome this global pandemic, and to contribute effectively to everything that is good for the country and the nation.