Mohsin Hani Al-Bahrani: Building upon MHD Group’s five decades legacy

A family business’s rich legacy is more than just the value of its portfolio; various elements of its legacy contribute to the business’s performance and its ability to maintain an entrepreneurial spirit across generations.

“Inspired by my late grandfather, Mohsin Haider Darwish, I have dedicated my career to upholding his vision for Mohsin Haider Darwish (MHD). My lifelong passion for automobiles has been the driving force behind this journey,” says Mohsin Hani Al-Bahrani, CEO of MHD’s Automotive, Construction Equipment, and Renewable Energy (ACERE) cluster.

“My grandfather founded MHD in 1974, laying the groundwork for our family business. Since then, the company has experienced exponential growth, solidifying its position as one of the most successful privately owned conglomerates in Oman,” Al-Bahrani shares in honour of his grandfather’s entrepreneurial legacy.

Since its establishment as a corporate entity in 1987, MHD has been a significant contributor to Oman’s economy. The company has consistently demonstrated impressive growth and diversification, reflecting a commitment to progress and development.

“My grandfather was a visionary entrepreneur who understood that business success should be aligned with societal progress,” Al-Bahrani says. “Even when he founded MHD over fifty years ago, he envisioned the company’s growth as intertwined with Oman’s development.

Family businesses are a vital part of GCC economies. As the majority of family-owned businesses are evolving into multinational conglomerates with diverse portfolios, these enterprising families are the engines of economic growth and a driving force behind National Visions such as Oman Vision 2040.

Al-Bahrani’s growth strategy for MHD ACERE is centred on diversification and expansion. He has successfully launched new business ventures such as MHD Leasing, which serves Oman’s tourism sector, and HospiCare, a healthcare division that supports the nation’s health and wellbeing.

Driven by a desire to carry on his grandfather’s legacy and live up to his vision for the family business, Al-Bahrani has attracted world-class automotive brands such as Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) to Oman while expanding the company’s sales network throughout the sultanate.

A visionary leader

Al-Bahrani has led MHD ACERE for the past four years. He joined the group as the director of the automotive division before he was promoted to CEO in 2020 to lead the conglomerate’s automotive, construction equipment, and renewable energy departments.

“After completing my Master’s degree in the UK, I joined MHD and immediately immersed myself in the automotive industry. My previous summer internships with prestigious brands like Jaguar and Land Rover provided me with valuable hands-on experience,” Al-Bahrani recalls.

With a commitment to delivering superior products and services, MHD ACERE was created by merging MHD’s automotive, construction equipment, and renewable energy departments under one umbrella, positioning us for continued growth and success.

Over the years, MHD ACERE has grown to become a leading automotive dealer in Oman. It represents more than ten brands and offers comprehensive pre- and after-sales services, marketing support, and a wide-ranging showroom network.

Al-Bahrani has been instrumental in diversifying and expanding MHD, bringing new brands to Oman, including Stellantis’ Jeep, Dodge, RAM, and Alfa Romeo, as well as Jetour, Hongqi, Ineos Automotive, Varta batteries, XCMG, and Weir Trio.

“My goal was to transform MHD into a leading automotive dealer not only in Oman but the entire GCC region. We expanded our offerings beyond luxury vehicles to include more affordable options, recognising the significant growth potential in this segment,” says a proud Al-Bahrani.

The expansion of MHD’s offering has proven to be a winning strategy. MG Motors in Oman is a testament to this, having experienced a meteoric rise from the 15th to the third position in local sales volume behind Toyota and Nissan, according to the Middle East Automotive Council (MEAC) report. This growth was underpinned by a remarkable 520 per cent increase in sales in 2019.

MHD’s exceptional performance in sales, after-sales services, marketing, and network development for MG Motors earned the company the prestigious Grand Prix 5 Star Distributor Award at the Virtual Dealer Awards hosted by SAIC Motor and MG Middle East.

Similarly, the creation of the ACERE vertical allowed Al-Bahrani to lay the foundation for the future of the family-owned business. “We have launched a renewable energy division, introducing the ABB brand of chargers for electric cars, solar panels, construction equipment, and different sustainable solutions that are aligned with the goals of the Oman Vision 2040,” he adds.

Al-Bahrani has been implementing strategies to ensure resilience in the face of economic challenges, including those brought on by the Covid-19 crisis. “The pandemic had a profound impact on global health and economies, including Oman. As a result, MHD’s growth was temporarily affected, mirroring the challenges faced by other automotive businesses,” he adds.

However, an enterprising Al-Bahrani stresses that the group maintained a positive outlook and sought to identify new opportunities amidst adversity, hence the integration of various MHD verticals to streamline operations under ACERE.

He explains that the lessons learned from challenging economic times have proven essential for the company’s future progress.

Quizzed about core values and principles that have driven the success of MHD, Al-Bahrani says, “Our company is dedicated to contributing to our nation’s progress by identifying and pursuing new business opportunities inspired by the innovative thinking of the next generation.”

Al-Bahrani’s leadership has propelled MHD to a leading position in the automotive, ancillary, and construction equipment industries. The conglomerate remains committed to sustainable growth and diversification.

Stepping up the gears

Al-Bahrani’s leadership has been instrumental in MHD’s diversification and expansion – a strategic vision that is positioning the group for sustainable growth. MHD ACERE continues to evolve and innovate, capitalising on the company’s automotive experience and pursuing new ventures.

The growth mindset stems from Al-Bahrani’s strategy for leading the conglomerate, which rests upon the belief that the role of a CEO goes beyond administrating a company’s overall operations. He explains that establishing ventures such as MHD Leasing and MHD ACERE’s HospiCare has enhanced his strategic planning abilities.

“Venturing into car rental and leasing and healthcare verticals was a strategic move for us. We leveraged our existing relationships to diversify our healthcare business. This included partnering with top global brands in the medical sector,” says Al-Bahrani.

“MHD Leasing was established to capitalise on the growing rental and leasing market in Oman. By focusing on the tourism sector, a key component of Vision 2040, we aim to support the country’s economic development.”

The group’s new HospiCare division will offer a comprehensive range of medical equipment to top healthcare organisations in Oman. This includes surgical equipment from Spark Meditech, emergency devices from Comen, communication systems from Schrack Seconet, ultrasound devices from FUJIFILM Sonosite, and specialised products such as IAB catheters, hernia repair meshes and double pump RF from Insightra Medical.

Together with the car rental and healthcare divisions, Al-Bahrani also spearheaded the launch of MHD’s renewable energy division. The division offers sustainable solutions, including ABB brand electric car chargers, solar panels, and construction equipment, aligning with the goals of Oman’s Vision 2040.

“MHD’s foray into renewable energy and electric vehicles was a groundbreaking move for both the company and Oman. Partnering with ABB, a leading technology company, to supply high-power electric vehicle chargers was crucial for raising awareness about e-mobility in the sultanate,” says Al-Bahrani.

He is also actively working to establish MHD as a leader in sustainable and green solutions in Oman as e-mobility continues to grow worldwide.

Al-Bahrani emphasises that each role he has held in the past has added depth to his perspective, from guiding middle management teams to orchestrating revenue expansion through diversification of product lines. He believes that strong leadership and a strategic vision are fundamental to driving success in the automotive industry.

“To foster employee motivation and development, we’ve strengthened our internal recognition programs and implemented leadership development initiatives designed to enhance managerial skills and support team performance,” says Al-Bahrani.

Al-Bahrani’s leadership, grounded in the MHD’s legacy and core values of transparency and teamwork, has been pivotal in driving the group to its current industry stature. “At MHD ACERE, every employee is a valuable asset of our company and an integral part of the company’s ideation and decision-making process,” he says.

Fuelling vision

A scion of one of the GCC region’s biggest family-owned businesses, Al-Bahrani is driving MHD’s diversification into new sectors such as car leasing and renewable energy. The strategy aligns well with Oman’s goal of a sustainable, multifaceted economy driven by the private sector.

Family businesses are making significant strides in supporting Oman’s economic diversification, which will contribute to achieving the objectives of Vision 2040.

“Oman’s promising business environment, characterised by its robust infrastructure and abundant opportunities, can be further enhanced by empowering and supporting the private sector. Government incentives and regulations are essential for fostering a more competitive and efficient private sector, which can drive socio-economic development,” Al-Bahrani says while noting that the sultanate’s political stability and strong safety record make it a highly attractive business hub.

“Family businesses must adapt to changing circumstances and be open to new ideas to thrive in today’s business landscape. Maintaining authenticity and exploring unconventional approaches can give family businesses a competitive edge over those constrained by rigid plans.”

Al-Bahrani is confident that MHD ACERE will play a pivotal role in achieving Vision 2040 and driving a sustainable and diversified economy led by the private sector. “At MHD ACERE, we are committed to supporting Oman’s economic reform agenda, which seeks to diversify the economy beyond oil. The automotive sector is a key part of this strategy, with increased investments in infrastructure and industry to drive growth.”

Over the years, Oman has been actively promoting Omanisation, a longstanding policy aimed at creating jobs for Omani citizens and diversifying the economy beyond oil.

“Omanisation has been a priority for me since taking over at MHD ACERE. I have focused on implementing measures to increase the number of Omani employees within our group,” Al-Bahrani.

“Between 2019 and 2021, we successfully increased the Omanisation ratio within our cluster from 32 per cent to 65 per cent. This achievement is especially significant given the challenges posed by the pandemic, which adversely affected the job market.”

Since Al-Bahrani took the helm, MHD ACERE has broken new ground in the business world. The company has made a significant impact on Oman’s economy, with notable achievements in transportation, communication, infrastructure, and healthcare.

Going forward, Al-Bahrani envisions MHD as a leading force in the automotive industry, known for its commitment to excellence, sustainability and customer satisfaction. He intends to further diversify the group’s offerings by adding more world-class automotive brands to its portfolio.

Read: Faces to watch: Mohsin Hani Al-Bahrani of the Mohsin Haider Darwish Group