Global investors to convene for Future Hospitality Summit

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is set to localize tinplate and tin-free steel production through a partnership with China, establishing the region’s first facility of its kind with an annual capacity of 400,000 tonnes. 

Al-Watania for Industries and China’s Donghexin Group, or DHX Group, have signed an agreement to build the plant in Ras Al-Khair Industrial City on the Kingdom’s eastern seaboard. The plant is scheduled to start commercial operations by mid-2027.
 
The initiative represents an achievement in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to localize the supply chain for the packaging industry. It aims to satisfy growing domestic demand for tinplate and tin-free steel — critical materials that underpin a wide range of sectors, including food and beverage, paints, oils, and chemicals. 

A memorandum of understanding to establish the facility was first signed on Jan. 15 during the fourth edition of the Future Minerals Forum, according to a statement from WFI issued that day, but now a full partnership has been agreed.

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef witnessed the signing ceremony, which was also attended by Vice Minister for Mining Affairs Khalid Al-Mudaifer, DHX Group Chairman Li Dong, and Al-Watania for Industries Chairman Mosaed Al-Ohali. 

In a press statement, Al-Ohali said: “This partnership marks a strategic step toward achieving one of our key expansion goals — vertical integration across the value chain of the metal packaging sector.” 

He added: “Establishing a technologically advanced tinplate manufacturing plant is a long-term investment in Saudi Arabia’s industrial security and reflects our deep commitment to localizing industrial knowledge, meeting domestic demand, and enhancing our export capabilities.” 

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the project is expected to generate over 500 direct jobs and will employ environmentally friendly technologies. Half of its output will be designated for domestic consumption, while the remaining will be exported.

The facility is also seen as a key enabler for Saudi Arabia to position itself as a manufacturing hub and reduce dependency on imported raw materials. 

DHX Group’s Dong said the venture is a model for global collaboration. “We are confident that our extensive experience of over two decades in this field will contribute to building a world-class metal manufacturing ecosystem that begins in the Kingdom and expands into regional markets,” he said. 

“The plant is designed with sustainability in mind and is fully prepared for a future shift to low-emission green electricity, reinforcing our shared commitment to the environment,” Dong added. 

Abdulrahman Al-Juaid, CEO of WFI, said the project represents a major step toward increasing local content and positioning Saudi Arabia as an exporter of critical tinplate.

“The partnership with Donghexin Group will contribute to the transfer of advanced manufacturing technologies and the training of national talent, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s readiness to become a leading regional industrial hub,” he added. 

RIYADH: Eyewear giant MAGRABi Retail Group has signed a deal to acquire Kuwait’s optical chain, Kefan Optics, as part of its strategy to expand its footprint in the Gulf market.

Known for its professional eye care services, technical expertise, and loyal customer base, Kefan Optics provides MAGRABi a strategic entry point in Kuwait’s competitive optical retail sector.

The acquisition is projected to increase MAGRABi’s top-line sales by 5 percent and boost its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization by more than 10 percent within the first year following integration.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News, MAGRABi CEO Yasser Taher said the deal would elevate the company’s market share in Kuwait from 5 percent to an estimated 30 percent, positioning the company as a market leader in the country’s optical retail sector.

“Kefan is a highly trusted optician in Kuwait,” said Taher, adding: “They are highly recognized as a very professional optician, they provide high-quality technical service, and the brand is associated with professional optometry ... so they come across as a great fit in terms of clientele.”

Instead of phasing out the Kefan brand, MAGRABi plans to preserve its legacy while enhancing its operations. Planned changes include a refreshed logo, redesigned stores, and a revamped customer experience, all supported by advanced omnichannel capabilities tailored to younger demographics, particularly Gen Z.

Amin Magrabi, chair of MAGRABi Retail Group, called the deal a milestone in the company’s regional expansion. “This acquisition marks another defining moment in our transformation journey. We are proud to strengthen our presence in Kuwait and reinforce our leadership in a region poised for consolidation,” he said in a press statement.

“Our goal remains clear: to lead the evolution of eye care in the Middle East,” Magrabi added.

Kefan Optics Chairman Wael Al-Subaih noted the brand’s long-standing history and welcomed the transition.

“For 47 years, Kefan Optics — a proud, family-owned business — has been at the forefront of the optics and lenses industry in Kuwait, serving its valued clients through 37 branches across the country,” he said in a press statement. 

“Today marks a significant milestone as Kefan Optics continues its journey of excellence under the Magrabi Retail Group. We celebrate this new chapter with great optimism and extend our best wishes to all involved,” Al-Subaih added.

Deal timeline and financing

Although the acquisition agreement has been signed, the deal remains subject to regulatory approvals from Kuwait’s Competition Authority and Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Competition. Taher anticipates a formal closing by late August or early September 2025.

“There are a lot of approvals that we should be able to get,” he said. “There are also other stakeholders, including shopping malls and so on. So it’s the usual closing process of any transaction. Yet, the deal is done, and we have already assigned a signed agreement that we are presenting accordingly to authority approvals.”

Regarding the financing structure, Taher said the company follows a hybrid model.

“We would usually try to fund 70 percent from banks and 30 percent from our own equity,” he added.

IPO on the horizon

Looking ahead, MAGRABi is exploring the possibility of going public, though no formal steps have been taken yet.

“There is a strong intention to become a publicly listed company. No official approvals have been obtained from the board or the shareholders yet, we’re still working toward the plan and to be ready. The timelines are not in the immediate future,” Taher said.

Interestingly, as part of the Kefan Optics transaction, existing shareholders will have the opportunity to participate in MAGRABi’s future IPO, aligning both companies’ long-term interests.

M&A vs. organic growth

MAGRABi has been expanding through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions, including its purchase of Rivoli Vision in 2024. Still, Taher emphasized that mergers and acquisitions only make sense when there are strong operational synergies.

“To have a successful M&A strategy, you must have very strong synergies to deploy; otherwise, you’re paying a very high premium for an acquisition, and you will not be able to improve results,” he said. “If that’s the case, then for sure, organic would be a better option, because M&A definitely comes at a premium.”

In Kefan Optics’ case, the synergies are clear. MAGRABi gains a well-established brand with loyal customers, while Kefan benefits from enhanced operational support.

“We chose that option because it makes financial sense for us, but strategically, we would like to be as well recognized as a local player in every market. So, if our brand is not necessarily highly recognized in this market. We would prefer to operate with a highly recognized and trusted brand in this market, which is the case in Kuwait,” Taher explained.

Sustained financial growth

Taher highlighted MAGRABi’s consistent financial performance, with the company targeting a 15-20 percent compound annual growth rate — and achieving it. In 2024, organic growth reached 14-15 percent compared to 2023.

When including the impact of the Rivoli Vision acquisition, net sales and EBITDA each rose by 43 percent year over year.

The company’s mainstream brand, Doctor M, also saw a 70 percent increase in sales, while online sales grew 25 percent during the same period.

“The big growth drivers remain our M&A,” Taher noted. “The introduction of Rivoli Vision as part of the MAGRABi Retail Group, also our mainstream banner, Doctor M, is a very big contributor. We’ve also been able to grow our online business by 25 percent year over year.”

Elevating the brand

MAGRABi intends to apply its retail expertise and backend capabilities — such as procurement, supply chain logistics, lens manufacturing, and retail analytics — to optimize Kefan Optics’ performance.

“We can definitely modernize the brand,” Taher explained. “Our intention is to keep the brand but evolve it into a premium and more appealing modern brand. We will refresh the brand, create a more appealing positioning, push the brand a bit more into the premium segment, and rebrand the logo and stores.”

He also pointed to the benefits of incorporating MAGRABi’s central glazing lab and digital retail tools to improve operational efficiency and enhance customer service.

Omnichannel strategy and future plans

As part of its growth strategy, MAGRABi aims to become a leading omnichannel retailer in the Middle East, investing in technology, customer experience, and product innovation.

“The objective is to really become one of the best omnichannel retailers in the Middle East, across all categories,” Taher said. “We’re investing a lot on tech and new customer experience, new services, and new product ranges. It’s a fully empowered proposition.”

The company is also actively pursuing further acquisitions across the region.

“M&A is a key pillar of our growth. We are active, and we have a pipeline that we’re working on, and we’re extremely excited about being able to deploy our capabilities across more and more banners, in different markets,” Taher confirmed.

With the Kefan Optics acquisition and IPO plans in motion, MAGRABi is positioning itself as the dominant force in the region’s optical retail sector.

Taher concluded: “It will be a very proud moment for us to take a brand that is highly trusted, like this in Kuwait, highly recognized in Kuwait, and evolve it to the next level and modernize it.”