Dr Thomas Alexander
Founder and Chief Executive Director
AL ADRAK TRADING & CONTRACTING CO LLC
More than half a century ago, when His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the harbinger of the Modern Era in the Sultanate, ascended the throne, he famously said, “Yesterday, it was complete darkness and with the help of God, tomorrow will be a new dawn on Muscat, Oman and its people.” Heeding the clarion call of this visionary ruler to build a new country many expatriates, especially those from the Indian subcontinent, came to its shores and toiled hard to usher in the new dawn foreseen by this peerless ruler. Among them were several luminaries who became the major cogs and wheels in the Sultanate’s march to progress in diverse segments. One of the most distinguished names of this elite group is Dr Thomas Alexander K, the Founder Chairman of the Adrak Group of Companies, who struck gold in all his ventures and used his resources diligently in nation-building and uplifting society. Such were his valuable contributions that His Majesty conferred upon him Omani citizenship in 2015, much coveted rare recognition.
Like King Midas of Greek legends, Dr Thomas is blessed with the golden touch and his flagship firm, Adrak Group of Companies, and other establishments are edifying testaments to how unwavering determination can convert them into billion-dollar enterprises with footprints across Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE and India. His march to success began on a humble note three decades ago when he arrived on the shores of this great nation as a fresh engineering graduate in 1986. As a greenhorn, opportunities were hard to find and the economy was not promising as it is today. Dr Thomas diligently figured out that the construction industry was a goldmine waiting to be explored. It also offered him a chance to forge lasting professional ties that would later hold him in good stead.
With just 32 rials, he began his entrepreneurial voyage in uncharted waters with only faith in the Almighty and oodles of self-confidence to bank on. He started by launching M/S Al Jazir Establishment which functioned from the living room of his humble residence. The following year, Al Adrak was established. Like any organisation, the firm, which became a Limited Liability Company in 1994, had its teething troubles. But Dr Thomas’ perseverance and hard work paid off when he landed a major project of the Ministry of Commerce building. This contract went a long way in strengthening the finances of the establishment. Then, projects of the British Embassy and the Central Laboratory came knocking on their doors. From 1995, Al Adrak Trading and Contracting Co LLC embarked on a growth curve with a steady trajectory and there has been no looking back.
A Force to Reckon With
Over the decades, under the able stewardship of Dr Thomas, Al Adrak, with its ISO 9001 and ISO14001 certification, has earned an enviable position as one of the top construction firms in the Sultanate. With close to 8,000 employees, the firm banks on top-notch Engineering Procurement and Construction, industrial experience and competencies to emerge as a formidable presence across the nation fetching several awards and global recognitions. With its expertise and vast manpower, which mostly comprises expatriates, Dr Thomas’ flagship company’s order book has exceeded the turnover of 1 billion USD, lending wings to the developmental dreams of the Sultanate. Its footprints are visible across civil, electrical and mechanical engineering segments and focuses on timely project delivery.
By incorporating the latest technologies and delivering each project on time, Dr Thomas keeps alive his passion to excel just like how it was when he graduated in BTech Civil Engineering from MS Ramaiah College in Bengaluru in 1978. With an illustrious track record of more than three decades, Al Adrak’s stamp of excellence can be seen on its portfolio of 400 projects successfully completed so far and they include IT parks, Commercial buildings, government institutions, Educational establishments, Defense and Police facilities, Sports and Residential complexes, Tourism and Hospitality related amenities, Hospitals, and Industrial units across the Sultanate. Al Adrak also possesses the rare ability to integrate project planning, design, procurement and execution with 100% in-house facilities. Dr Thomas takes pride in the fact that Al Adrak is a homegrown Omani company and strives to achieve his dream of widening the horizon of his enterprise. The seasoned entrepreneur believes that success lies in adapting global excellence to local needs while maintaining unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability.
His enterprise has expanded to Saudi Arabia and it has fully embraced the ambitious Vision 2030. It has undertaken major property developments that align with national transformation. The infrastructure projects support economic diversification. In the UAE, Dr Thomas is eyeing strategic expansion through the Al Adrak Trading and Contracting CO. LLC. Here, one can see advanced technology being integrated in construction.
Widening the Horizon
A man with razor-sharp business acumen, Dr Thomas is also the founder and promoter of Zenletics Cybersecurity Solutions. Operating under the brand of Adcy.io, it delivers cutting-edge cyber security services to clients in India and around the world. It has its own product division and IT security consulting department that provides top-quality service in association with Edtech behemoths like Upgrad.
He also established Beyondteq Venture Capital in Oman to seek and lend a helping hand to tech startups so that they rapidly scale and create a global impact. It is also his intention to provide assistance to the next generation of entrepreneurs banking on his rich experience and knowledge.
Fully Committed to the Sultanate
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Dr Thomas’ firm played a key role in building the nation and still continues to do so. It had the privilege of executing the ambitious PPP model affordable housing scheme for more than 1,000 Omani nationals. As part of its expansion spree, Al Adrak also undertook a mammoth project to accommodate 20,000 workers at Khazaen City. A business magnate with a humane touch, Dr Thomas and his firm were at the vanguard of the rescue and relief work during the Gonu hurricane and tropical cyclone Shaheen that wreaked havoc. When the pandemic struck, the firm contributed its mite by setting up screening facilities in airports and seaports.
Earlier this year, Adrak Developers signed an agreement with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning for developing Neighbourhood 12 D comprising 300 high-end residential units on 56,166 sq km in the ambitious Sultan Haitham City project. This crucial deal involves an investment to the tune of 38.7 million Rials, which will be a landmark within Sultan Haitham City.
Tying up with the ministry for this ambitious project reveals Dr Thomas’ commitment to the nation, which has been bountiful in his fruitful career.
Dedicated to Family, Caring for Society
With his roots in the south Indian state of Kerala, Dr Thomas enjoys the unflinching support of his family comprising his better half, Beena Kurian Mammen, son Aadil Thomas Alexander, daughter Annie Thomas Alexander, daughter-in-law Varsha Sarah Roy and son-in-law Aiyappan Das.
Being a naturalised Omani citizen, Dr Thomas has taken it upon himself to reach out to local communities and empower them in more ways than one. His company undertakes special efforts to recruit Omani nationals and provide them with the necessary training to be a part of the workforce.
Being an engineer himself, Dr Thomas is committed to creating the next generation of quality engineers in his home state. This led him to establish the Trinity College of Engineering in Thiruvananthapuram, which provides quality education to hundreds of students. The institution bears the stamp of excellence and it has earned a coveted spot among the first 13 Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) research and education centres.
Eco Crusader and Good Samaritan
The personality of Dr Thomas will not be complete without mentioning his care and concern for the cause of the environment and philanthropic endeavours. He is passionate about preserving the environment and endorsing sustainable development that reduces carbon footprints. Dr Thomas was instrumental in planting 1.2 million mangrove saplings on a private island in Kerala. It is part of the project to promote mangrove planting for carbon sequestration. Touted to be the largest in India, this mangrove forest was able to prevent sand mining from the lake and erosion so much that it has become a benchmark of eco-conservation. He has also initiated organic, eco-friendly farming of cereals, and vegetables in Kerala and the Sultanate. The promotion of moringa cultivation in Oman is another initiative worth mentioning.
Dr Thomas is also equally concerned about uplifting the underprivileged. He magnanimously donates for endeavours such as the mass marriages of young women from economically weaker sections of society. He also loosens his purse strings for the cause of Ashraya Charitable Society, which provides succour to more than 800 people and lends a helping hand to support the education of scores of students. What’s more his entire workforce in the Sultanate is always at the forefront of rescue and rebuilding operations when there is a natural disaster. Dr Thomas believes that success is measured not just in projects completed or profits earned, but in lives improved and communities strengthened.
Dr Thomas continues to push the boundaries of innovation while maintaining deep commitment to social responsibility. The Group’s future focus includes: expanding the healthcare networks, giving a fillip to property development, boosting environmental initiatives, promoting technological integration and nurturing startup ecosystems.
Contact Information
OMAN
Al Adrak Trading & Contracting Co LLC
PB 1840, PC 130, Azaiba, Sultanate of OmanPhone +968 2200 1300/1316,
Fax +968 22001301www.aladrak.com
SAUDI ARABIA
Al Adrak Contracting Co LLC
Building No 2171 | Postal Code 14231 | Khurais Branch Street | West Naseem Dist. | Riyadh | Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Phone No: +966 507605346
UAE
Al Adrak Trading & Contracting LLCOffice No.05, Schon Business Park,DIP-1, Dubai,UAE
INDIA
Al Adrak Trading & Contracting LLC404, 4th Floor, Avior Nirmal Galaxy,LBS Marg, Mulund (W), Mumbai,Maharashtra, India – 400080
Al Adrak Trading & Contracting LLCT.C 1/1894, 1st Floor, Hotel Adrak Kumarapuram,
Medical College P.O, Thiruvananthapuram,Kerala, India – 695011
