Written by: Farah Hassan
Date: 2024-03-05
An in-depth interview with Vice President Ahmed Soliman on their 35-year evolution
Since its inception as a manufacturer of electrical panels in Egypt nearly 34 years ago, Teba United has emerged as a trailblazer in the energy industry. With a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence, the company has successfully transitioned into an integrated energy solutions provider. Today, Teba United operates across three key business sectors: Teba United integrated industries, energy products and solutions, and engineering & contracting services. Collaborating with us for this article and delving into the journey of Teba United the company’s Vice President, Ahmed Soliman, highlighting their evolution, contributions made to the country, their transformative impact on the industry, economic growth and more.
The Evolution of Teba United
From its humble beginnings as a manufacturer of electrical panels, Teba United has undergone a remarkable evolution. Recognizing the changing needs and demands of the energy industry, the company strategically expanded its operations and diversified its offerings. “Teba, initially established in 1988, primarily focused on electrical appliances, systems, and electromechanical works. Over time, our small factory expanded into a hub of multiple smaller factories, producing a wide range of services related to electrical equipment.” During the company’s early years, they formed a partnership with Schneider, a renowned company in the electrical services industry. This collaboration allowed them to obtain the esteemed panel builder certification and subsequently become the official partner of Schneider. As a result, all our works bear the Schneider name. “Building upon this success, we further diversified our offerings. We ventured into the production and assembly of generators, collaborating with prominent manufacturers as well as expanding into lighting solutions, encompassing road lighting, decorative lighting items, and general lighting.” “Recognizing the need to broaden our organization's scope, we decided to explore the field of earthing systems. Initially, we engaged in commercial ventures related to earthing systems. However, as our operations grew, we increased our workforce by hiring more engineers and chemists. This expansion allowed us to establish our own laboratories and manufacture earthing systems in-house.” As Soliman puts it, through the company’s pursuit of excellence, Teba United gradually transformed into an integrated energy solutions provider, offering a comprehensive range of products and services to meet the evolving demands of its clients.
Teba United and its Industries
One of Teba United's key business sectors is Teba United integrated industries. This division is focused on delivering cutting-edge solutions for various industries. From electrical panels to control systems, Teba United's integrated industries division ensures reliable and efficient operations for its clients. When it comes to energy products and solution, the company plays a crucial role in addressing Egypt's growing energy needs. Leveraging its expertise and technological advancements, Teba United offers a wide range of sustainable energy solutions and in doing so it also contributes to Egypt's transition towards a greener and more sustainable future. In addition to its manufacturing and energy solutions divisions, Teba United has also proven its worth in providing comprehensive engineering and contracting services. With a team of highly skilled professionals, the company undertakes large scaled projects with high-profile clients. Some of the many works Teba United has worked on were the New Capital’s Iconic Tower, Rixus, Jaz and Hilton Hotels as well as Badr and El Menia Hospital. When asked what the keys qualities to a successful sustainable company in such a rigorous and demanding industry Soliman disclosed, “in order for a construction company to achieve success, it is crucial to adhere to the original design, undergo thorough revisions, and strictly comply with the Egyptian Code of Law. This ensures consistency with the established standards and regulations governing the construction industry. This also demonstrates the importance of maintaining high quality standards and work ethic, which leads to client satisfaction and potential future collaborations.” “Egypt's Ministry of Interior serves as a prime example of our long-standing partnership, dating back to 1996. This enduring relationship exemplifies the significance of establishing client trust by adhering to contractual obligations, meeting specified timelines, and delivering projects of the utmost quality. These factors serve as the fundamental elements for the success of any construction company.” Soliman believes there is still yet to be done for the country, and that there will always be room for engineering companies in the industry, “considering Egypt's population of over 120 million and the ongoing projects being undertaken in our country, we are witnessing the construction of new infrastructure projects that are essentially shaping an entire nation. These endeavors involve building from the ground up, and they highlight the significant opportunities and growth potential in our industry.”
The Value of Employees: A company’s building blocks
The Vice President fully recognizes that in order for a company to thrive and endure, it heavily relies on the assets within its organization. He explains that each and every employee holds immense value, serving as the driving force behind a company's ongoing success. According to him, the amalgamation of these employees’ collective expertise creates a reservoir of knowledge within the company, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and growth.Culminating in the formation of a highly skilled workforce that plays a pivotal role in achieving the company's goals. Their significance cannot be overstated, as without them, the success of a company would be unattainable. “This is a message I consistently convey to my staff, emphasizing their indispensable role in Teba's reputation and the trust placed in our organization. They are the key to our company's triumph, as without their dedication and contributions, Teba would not exist as a trusted entity for people to rely on and collaborate with.”
Teba United's dedication to Egypt’s fruition Teba United's contributions extend far beyond its business operations. The company has played a pivotal role in boosting and supporting Egypt's economic growth. As part of Teba United’s strategic business approach, they took the initiative of exploring opportunities in exporting to various Middle Eastern countries. However, Soliman details that their primary focus lies in the vast African continents as a whole, they have already worked with countries like Tanzania, Liberia and Nigeria. “This deliberate focus on Africa not only contributes to the economic growth and development of the countries we engage with but also serves as a proactive measure to address the ongoing dollar crisis our own country is currently experiencing. By expanding our operations into African markets, we aim to foster mutually beneficial partnerships that enhance economic ties between nations. Our collaborations with African countries have not only provided us with new avenues for business growth but have also allowed us to contribute to the development of local economies.” Through these ventures, the company strives to create job opportunities, transfer knowledge and technology, and support infrastructural advancements. Given the challenging economic conditions Egypt faces, it is crucial to explore alternative avenues to mitigate the impact of the current dollar crisis. Soliman confesses that at times due to economic hardships it had sometimes affected the workflow in terms of material availability, “this problem if I am honest comes and goes, it is only natural for any company to go through troubling times or bumps along the way. For that reason, we try to manufacture as much as we can here in Egypt in order to become as self-sufficient as possible and not be so reliable on goods or materials from outside of the country.”
35 Years of Success
Throughout our journey of growth and diversification, Teba has consistently strived to meet the evolving needs of their clients. From our humble beginnings focused on electrical services, they have expanded into various sectors, forging partnerships, and developing expertise in areas such as generators, lighting, and earthing systems. These endeavors have enabled them, as Soliman puts it, to offer comprehensive and innovative solutions, solidifying our position as a leader in the industry. The vice president concludes, “my one piece of advice in such a tough business would be that everything succeeds by word of mouth, which is why demonstrating your attention, commitment, and keeping to time frames with uncompromising quality is critical.”