From day one, I was motivated by UAE
Moussa Taha, the founder of Abu Dhabi Electrical Air conditioning Refrigeration Establishment (Adearest), says setting up businesses here is more systematic now compared to the business environment 35-40 years back
Ifirst came to the UAE in July in 1962 from Beirut, at the age of 29, and married with two young children. When we landed in Sharjah. I started with a salary of Dh8,000, which was considered very high at that time. Coming from Beirut that has a Mediterranean climate, the moment I landed in the UAE I took a step back into the plane out of shock of the hot air and humidity that welcomed me. The people, as they are today, are one of the friendliest and most hospitable. Additionally, from day one, the UAE has been very business-oriented, which served as motivation for me to want to succeed among them.
Having worked with the Spinney’s Group for the first seven years of my residency here, I opened Abu Dhabi-based Abu Dhabi Electrical Air conditioning Refrigeration Establishment (Adearest) in 1969. I wanted to provide the best life I
The best advice I received was from my father to persevere in life and never give up. To always stand on your feet even when you fall down, stand up again and give it another go.” Moussa Taha, founder, Adearest
could for my family to give them the best education possible.
The UAE has always been known to be a business hub. We had to get a licence, which took about 2-3 days. There were very little formalities as there was only one emirate so things were a lot simpler. The main challenge was sustaining businesses because resources were scarce, and it was a challenge to maintain the business, whether manpower or materials. Now, with the ever-growing expansion of the UAE, things are more systematic, which is great, but takes a bit more time.
The business environment 3540 years back reflected with fewer restrictions. Now it is much more competitive and challenging, with more risks involved, as more criteria need to be met.
As we specialise in air conditioning, this is where we noticed a significant evolution through technology. For example, in the 1970’s the cold storage room doors were partly made with wood. On top of the wood, we would put insulated galvanised sheets to make the temperature between minus 20 and minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Now, our warehouse in EIP (Emirates Industrial Panel Factory) creates the panel directly from scratch without using wood, saving us both time and money and allowing us to achieve results more efficiently.
Today, Adearest continue to expand within the Middle East North Africa region, with a holding group, TIG (Taha Investment Group), that was created in 2006 that serves as the umbrella of all companies. Just recently we’ve completed the Coldstore Facilities for Onboard Food, for Emirates airlines.
The company has completed refrigeration projects in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and countries as far as Afghanistan and Djibouti. Working with internationally renowned partners from the refrigeration industry as well as other heat transfer equipment manufacturers, Adearest offers turnkey quality work within budget and to programme. Adearest maintains offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah with various workshops all around the UAE.
When I’m not at work, I spend my time gardening and on the family farm raising chickens. I mostly enjoy spending time with my 17 grandchildren, youngest being 3 months old!
The best advice I received was from my father to persevere in life and never give up. To always stand on your feet even when you fall down, stand up again and give it another go.
I strongly feel that family is what’s most important and always comes first. Coming from a family of nine siblings, we’ve always been close-knit. Now, my kids and their families live by the same notion of keeping family close to the heart. Not only do we all live next door to each other in Sharjah, but I believe the new Taha generation has a WhatsApp group of 29 people!
I enjoy Nizar Qabbani; his poetry was and always remains inspiring. In fact, my eldest son is named after him!