CEO Insights Magazine

In the world of business, the journey from employee to entrepreneur is not just a career shift; it's a mindset transformation. Entrepreneurs become great because of their unique blend of vision, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to turning challenges into opportunities. Their journeys often involve a combination of innate passion, strategic risk-taking, and a relentless pursuit of innovation, shaping them into transformative leaders who leave an indelible mark on the business landscape. Dr. Khaled Alkwayleet, CEO of Pure Beverages Industry Company (PBIC), a seasoned leader with more than two decades of experience in the food and beverage industry, has played a significant role in shaping this dynamic sector.

Dr. Khaled has a successful track record in the food and beverage industry, specializing in the fast-moving consumer goods, food and beverage, and drinking water industries. His expertise rests in leadership management, strategic visionary and change management, leading organizational transformation, strong business and financial skills, business development, and a systematized approach to automate, and enhance business processes.

Dr. Khaled holds the belief that the world will benefit collectively when organizations effectively and efficiently fulfill the needs of their constituents. As a result, the ultimate goal is to lead, inspire, and achieve the company's short- and long-term objectives through collaboration, thereby creating an exciting and rewarding opportunity. In this interview with CEO Insights ASIA, Khaled shares his professional background, experiences, and the motivation behind his career journey.

you please give a brief overview of your professional background?

My academic qualification is a Doctoral Business Administration degree from Lincoln University College, Malaysia and my research is published in International Journal of Research and Studies Publishing and another will be published in many journals in Arabic and English languages under the title 'The impact of management leadership on organizational culture: A field study on industrial organizations in Riyadh city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia'. My academic journey includes earning a Master of Business Administration from the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Systems from the Arab Open University in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, I hold a Diploma in Sales Management from the Saudi Arabian Institute of Public Administration.

In my professional background, I served as the CEO of Abna'a Al Arabiya Water Bottling Company, overseeing the establishment of the company and brand, fostering strategic partnerships, and leading all business functions. My executive roles span various positions, including Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Global Beverage Company (Berain, Fayha & Ojen Water), Director of Sales at Health Water Bottling Company (Nova Water, Power Horse Energy Drink, and Holsten non-alcoholic beer), and Area Sales Manager at Almarai Company, National Agriculture Development Company NADEC, and Aljomaih Beverages Company.

Can you please talk about Pure Beverages Industry Company?

Pure Beverages Industry Company is established and supported by Ajlan & Bros Group, a leading company since 1979, with the aim of revolutionizing drinking bottled water sector in Saudi Arabia and beyond. The company is dedicated to offering a diverse range of drinking water bottles that cater to the preferences of a broad spectrum of consumers in a vibrant society. We operate over 15 distribution centers within the kingdom, ensuring our presence extends throughout the region.

The company is committed to overcome all market challenges and to improve the quality of life in the Kingdom by providing a variety of bottled drinking water brands that cater to the aspirations of a wide range of consumers in a dynamic society. Pure Beverages Industry Company stands as the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of its brands in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Pure Beverages Industry Company leverages the latest and most innovative technologies to operate its state-of-the-art factories with British, French, German, Italian, Luxembourgish, and Swedish equipment and machinery. It also aims to reach the highest international industrial standards in quality, safety, and sustainability.

The company has launched its bottled drinking water products with the most significant direct distribution force in the category to reach the highest rate of product availability to cover all regions, cities, and villages of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The company aims to engage with consumers and the community using intelligent strategies and unconventional approaches to drive authentic and meaningful everyday experiences and to build an emotional link with the consumers beyond just the basic need for water.

What has been your motivation and success mantra?

Achieving success is a powerful motivator. When it comes to connecting with and supporting individuals and organizations in reaching their goals, the key lies in how effectively and efficiently organizations cater to the needs of their stakeholders. The better they do this, the brighter the future for all of us. This philosophy significantly influences my outlook, instilling in me the belief that each day presents a fresh opportunity for acquiring knowledge and translating it into practical applications. It's an ongoing journey, a perpetual process of converting insights into tangible actions that contribute to personal and collective advancement. The foundation of the Pure Beverages’ vision lies in customizing brand experiences that recognize bottled water consumption as a fundamental aspect of consumers' lifestyles. We have two brand categories Ival and Oska water.

The foundation of Ival and Oska was established on meticulously chosen land, overcoming various challenges to pioneer the construction of groundbreaking factories in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Leveraging state-of-the-art technology, Ival ensures that consumers experience the highest quality standards in the production of bottled water.

With the latest technologies, we operate with innovative factories in Riyadh and Jeddah with a huge production capacity. The large distribution force will result in the highest rate of product availability in KSA. Our values are nurtured from the firm belief in precluding what does not work & adopting sustainable best practices.

Please tell us about your leadership approach.

We are consistently striving for improvement, embracing the principles of continuous improvement and total quality management. We continually review our methodologies and approaches, seeking to enhance processes and explore new business methods. This applies across various domains, be it manufacturing, technology, road to process optimization, or automation. We are committed to incorporating the latest methodologies, being proactive in staying ahead, and gaining a competitive advantage not only in our products but across all facets of our operations. Our focus on evolution and efficiency drives us to remain at the forefront of industry standards and advancements.

What’s your future aspiration for PBIC?

My future aspiration for PBIC is to continue to thrive and innovate in the bottled drinking water sector. I envision the company expanding its market presence not only within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but also on a global scale. We aim to maintain our commitment to quality and sustainability, further solidifying our position as a leader in the industry. The company also seeks continuous excellence by taking care of all the aspects that serve our country, community, customers, and consumers alike.

I see PBIC adopting even more advanced technologies and cutting-edge solutions to enhance manufacturing processes, ensuring that we meet and exceed the highest global standards in safety, quality, and environmental practices. Additionally, I aspire for PBIC to diversify its product offerings and explore new avenues for growth, be it through new product lines or strategic partnerships. Ultimately, my goal is for PBIC to be recognized not just for its high-quality bottled drinking water but also for its unwavering commitment to excellence, sustainability, and making a meaningful impact on people's lives.

Dr. Khaled Alkwayleet, CEO, Pure Beverages Industry Company (PBIC)

Prior to PBIC, Khaled was the CEO of Abna'a Al Arabiya Water Bottling Company. He has held a variety of other executive positions, including Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Global Beverage Company (Berain, Fayha & Ojen Water) and Director of Sales at Health Water Bottling Company, where he oversaw multiple brands, including Nova Water, Power Horse Energy Drink, and Holsten non-alcoholic beer.