A collaborative research project between New York University Abu Dhabi and Tharawat Family Business Forum

Case Study

Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Est.

Showroom of Nasser Bin Abullatif Alserkal Est., Jamal Abdul Nasser Square, Dubai, UAE. Undated. Source: Alserkal Family

FAMILY BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Nasser Alserkal’s family’s heritage both as merchants and as local figures who contributed to the development of the emirates was key to forging his aspirations and values as a businessman.

Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Est., founded in 1947 began as a general trading entity and has since evolved into a diverse conglomerate involved in fields such as trade healthcare, banking, art and culture, construction, travel and tourism, and real estate, among many other fields. After Nasser Alserkal’s passing in 1990, his only son Eisa bin Nasser Alserkal succeeded him. Today, the second and third generation family members jointly manage the family business. Of Eisa bin Nasser Alsekal’s seven children, his three sons and daughter are involved in the management of the family business, taking responsibility for various divisions of the widely diversified company.

Showroom of Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Est. Airport Road, Port Saeed, Dubai, UAE, 1970. Source: Alserkal Family

By the Numbers

1947

Founding Year
GCC
operations

820+

Employees

4 Gen

Family Members Involved

1917 – 1947

Founding Journey

Nasser bin Abdullatif Alserkal was born in 1917 into one of Dubai and Sharjah’s leading families. His father was a merchant who owned pearling ships, and after his father’s death, his older brother, Eisa bin Abdullatif Alserkal, became one of the primary authority figures in his life. This early exposure to business and entrepreneurial interactions helped shape Nasser’s business acumen and fighting spirit.

Eisa Alserkal’s passing in 1935 was a turning point in Nasser’s life. Coming from a family of highly accomplished individuals, he felt the need to live up to the family name by building a career of equal importance for himself. At that time, Dubai was in a state of economic crisis with the decline of the pearling industry, but Nasser was determined to look for opportunities despite the crisis.

Nasser Alserkal saw an opportunity and opened his first shop in the Date Market in Deira, where he started trading automobile spare parts from Ford. As the demand for parts was still very low, he displayed only a limited catalog, then gradually expanded into other types of products like seeds, paint, and tires. Around a decade later, in 1947 he established Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Est., and became the sole regional distributor for the Bridgestone Corporation – a leading Japanese tires manufacturer. Nasser Alserkal’s business continued to grow and he managed to expand its offering into various business lines such as vehicles and motors, home and office appliances, industrial and agricultural products and equipment, as well as electrical and hardware supplies.

Founder Nasser bin Abdullatif Alserkal, Dubai, UAE. December, 1940. Source: Alserkal family

Nasser bin Abdullatif Alserkal, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Undated. Source: Alserkal Family

1950s – 1970s

Growth and Consolidation

Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Est. flourished along with the local economy in the 1970s. Recognizing the increasing demand for generators, Nasser Alserkal proposed to Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum the foundation of an electricity company, which eventually led to Nasser Alserkal’s serving as chairman of Dubai Electricity and Water Authorities (DEWA).

Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Est. began diversifying its profile in 1975 and has since evolved into a diverse conglomerate involved in fields such as trade healthcare, banking, art and culture, construction, travel and tourism, and real estate, among many other fields.

The Business Family

Nasser Alserkal’s desire to be part of the economic growth of the Emirate of Dubai and serve his community by elevating its living standards led him to invest in local business opportunities with expansions beyond the United Arab Emirates.

Eisa bin Nasser Alserkal, the founder’s only son, assumed the leadership of the company following Nasser Alserkal’s passing. He was able to draw from his experience working alongside his father over the years. Today, the second and third generation family members jointly manage the family business.

Nasser bin Abdullatif Alserkal in his office. Dubai, UAE. November, 1973. Source: ALSERKAL FAMILY

First shop of Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Est.

First shop of Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Est. in Deira, Dubai, UAE. Undated.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan with Nasser bin Abdullatif Alserkal

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Nasser bin Abdullatif Alserkal. Undated.

Abdullatif bin Abdulrahman Alserkal

Abdullatif bin Abdulrahman Alserkal (on the left), the father of founder Nasser bin Abdullatif Alserkal. He served as the native agent for the British government between the years 1890 and 1919. Photo 1911.

Certificate of appreciation to Nasser bin Abdullatif Alserkal

Certificate of appreciation to Nasser bin Abdullatif Alserkal by the then-prime minister of Bahrain Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa for his active contributions to Bahrain Society for Charity. Nov 1989.

Nasser Abdullatif Est. Business card

Nasser Abdullatif Est. Business card. Undated.

Dubai’s first phone directory, 1960

Dubai’s first phone directory, 1960. Reproduced by Alserkal Cultural Foundation. Memorandum by Nasser bin Abdullatif Alserkal, the Originator and Promoter of the idea of Establishing Telephone Company in Dubai.

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