ALJ: The Arabian Wind Catcher
In the sprawling lands of Saudi Arabia, a tale of a family’s drive and purpose winds like a rivulet through the sands. It’s the story of ALJ, a company that, to the uninitiated, might seem like a fledgling enterprise but, in truth, has been harnessing the gusts of opportunity for over three-quarters of a century.
“Ride the wind,” whispers an ancient Arabic proverb. But in our times, marked by the riddles of a complex global economy, this saying isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Where do you gaze when the zephyrs start to billow? What do you harness when the gusts shift their directions? Such questions plague businesses as they maneuver through today’s uncertain terrains.
Yet, Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ), the namesake of its founder, offers answers in its journey. From its inconspicuous inception as a mere gas station, ALJ has risen, adopting winds from varying directions. 2019, for instance, saw giants like Ford and Amazon pledging their confidence in ALJ-supported Rivian. Rivian’s electric vehicles caught Amazon’s eye, with a promise of an initial purchase of a whopping 100,000. What’s fascinating? ALJ’s vision saw Rivian’s potential a good eight years prior.
Venture further into ALJ’s timeline, and you’ll unearth more. The company has left footprints in 30 countries, dabbling in sectors as diverse as energy and real estate. But the jewel in its crown? The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Supported by the Jameel family philanthropy, Community Jameel, this research lab found its place under the spotlight when its co-founders bagged the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics.
The Jameel brothers, Fady and Hassan, the third-generation guardians of ALJ, sat down in McKinsey’s London quarters, weaving tales of their family’s voyage. Their tales painted pictures of MIT labs, like J-PAL, addressing global challenges, and their collaboration with luminaries like Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo.
Hassan fondly recalled their father, an MIT alum, and their numerous associations with the university. These partnerships have seen the world’s brightest minds converge to address pressing issues, from the looming fresh-water crisis to poverty eradication.
And as the conversations ebbed and flowed, the underlying theme became clearer. ALJ wasn’t just about profits. It was about purpose. Hassan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for organizations to have a meaning that resonates with its employees. Their philanthropic arm, Community Jameel, attests to this belief, with its subunit, Bab Rizq Jameel (BRJ), aiding in creating jobs in the Middle East and North Africa.
Ultimately, the tale of ALJ is that of a Saudi company with global aspirations. A company that, despite its sprawling operations, remains rooted in its Arabian origins. ALJ’s commitment to Saudi Arabia is unwavering, with the nation acting as its cradle and springboard to the world. The story, dear reader, is of a company that does not merely ride the winds of chance but navigates them with purpose and vision.