Ducab Group, one of the UAE’s largest manufacturing businesses, has announced Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al Mutawa’s appointment to Group CEO, effective January 1, 2021. Al Mutawa has been with Ducab since 2015 and most recently served as CEO of Ducab Cable Business. He succeeds Andrew Shaw as Group CEO, who has led Ducab Group for the past 13 years and will now take up the role of Board Advisor for the company.
Ducab’s first Emirati Group CEO appointment is the result of a carefully planned succession strategy in line with Ducab’s UAE National development programme. Currently, UAE nationals hold approximately two-thirds of the senior management positions within Ducab Group.
Dr Ahmad Bin Hassan Al Shaikh, Chairman of Ducab Group, said: “Since Mohammed joined Ducab, he has demonstrated great leadership qualities and a passion for developing the company as a world-class UAE manufacturing enterprise. This transition is evidence of Ducab’s commitment to the sustainable growth of the business and the UAE economy, paving the way towards a bright future upon the strong foundation of successes established under Andrew’s leadership. On behalf of the company, I would like to thank Andrew for his years of dedication to Ducab and congratulate Mohammed on his new role.”
Engineer Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice-Chairman of Ducab Group, said: “Over the past four decades, Ducab has been a shining example of a successful partnership between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and a champion of UAE industry. During this period, Ducab has raised the bar globally for quality products manufactured in the UAE. As the new Group CEO, I look forward to Mohammed A. Al Mutawa continuing to work with all our stakeholders to grow Ducab, taking more ‘Made in UAE’ products to the world, and developing local talent within the sector.”
Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al Mutawa most recently served as CEO of Ducab Cable Business. During his tenure, he has focused on strengthening Ducab’s market leadership in the UAE whilst aggressively growing the wire and cables export business that now generates about 25% of revenues and sells to over 20 countries. As a key member of the Group’s executive management team and a talented leader with a strong understanding of Ducab’s business as a manufacturer of cable and metal products, he has been a key driver in developing its five-year strategic plan. He previously served as Chief Commercial Officer at Ducab Group and had joined Ducab from EGA after becoming qualified as an industrial engineer in the USA.
In recent years, Ducab Group has both diversified and expanded its geographical footprint. Export markets have grown from just under 15 countries to over 30 countries in the last decade alone, with ventures such as Ducab Aluminium Company (DAC) and Ducab Metals Business (DMB) both contributing to growth.
During the last year, particularly, the company’s factories remained fully operational with health and safety protocols put in place, and office employees adopted a work-from-home approach. The company cited resilience and business continuity as being cornerstones of Ducab’s strategy, supported by strong supply chain partners and prudent financial management.