We recently had the privilege of interviewing AMR ELZAKY, CEO of ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL CORP (AIC), a leading name specializing in industrial maintenance products. With a proven track record of success, AMR ELZAKY is fostering collaboration and cultivating meaningful relationships to bring positive change for the future.
At AIC, AMR and his team connect the world’s manufacturing leaders with the industry field, ensuring cutting-edge MRO solutions. In this interview, the CEO speaks about his passion for the MRO sector and, the triumphs of his business, and shares his insights on taking AIC to new heights.
A Passion For Industrial Optimization
We started the interview by asking, “Can you tell us about your professional journey and what led you to your current role?”
AMR Elzaky shared, “My professional journey has been driven by a singular passion: optimizing industrial operations. My business background provided a strong foundation, and early experiences in Marketing & Sales fueled my fascination with the Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) sector. Witnessing firsthand the impact of inefficient MRO practices on productivity ignited a desire to be part of the solution.
Today, at AIC, I leverage this 20-year experience to lead a dedicated team in providing our clients with industry-leading MRO solutions. But the seeds of this passion were sown much earlier.”
He added, “I have always been captivated by sales, starting from a young age. This passion prompted me to pursue a Business degree, which equipped me with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in this field. As a sales agent, I faced the challenge of balancing value proposition and relationship building.
However, I found that by truly understanding client needs and educating them on the benefits of our product, I could achieve both objectives. This early experience enhanced my selling, presentation, negotiation, and leadership skills, ultimately fueling my passion for sales and motivating me to lead a client-centric organization.”
Elevating MRO: The AIC Difference
We were curious to learn about the factors that set AMR ELZAKY’s business apart from the competition. So, we asked, “What sets your business apart from competitors in the industry?”
AMR Elzaky shared, “At AIC, we don’t just deliver MRO solutions, we elevate them. We understand that clients need more than simply products; they require trusted partners. That’s why we forge exclusive partnerships with globally renowned MRO brands like ITW ROCOL® and ZERUST®, ensuring access to cutting-edge solutions that optimize your operations. Our technical experts go beyond the product, offering tailored inventory management plans to maximize the value of our solutions.
A key differentiator for AIC is our dedication to client education. This approach ensures an understanding of solution value and informed decisions based on specific goals, fostering trust and long-term relationships, in contrast to transactional models. Moreover, we prioritize exceptional service at every touchpoint. From the initial contact to ongoing after-sales support, we strive to deliver a seamless and positive customer journey. Our personalized approach goes beyond industry standards, ensuring your unique needs are met and exceeded.”
Transforming Operations: A Client Success Story
We further asked, “What has been your business’s biggest achievement to date?
AMR Elzaky replied, “At AIC, we measure success by the success of our clients. A prime example is our work with a leading Egyptian manufacturing plant. Through a strategic partnership, we helped them achieve a remarkable 20% reduction in unplanned downtime.
This significant improvement was driven by these key elements:
- High-Performance Lubricants from ITW ROCOL: These cutting-edge lubricants minimize equipment wear and tear, extending operational life and reducing the risk of breakdowns.
- Customized Preventative Maintenance Program: Our team of experts designed a tailored preventative maintenance plan that maximized equipment uptime and minimized the need for unplanned repairs.
- Leveraging ZERUST for Extended Equipment Life: Our partnership with ZERUST provides corrosion prevention solutions, extending equipment lifespan and minimizing maintenance. With a preventative maintenance plan, clients achieve maximized uptime and reduced downtime.
This achievement exemplifies the transformative power of our solutions. By combining premium products with expert technical guidance, we empower clients to achieve significant operational efficiency gains.”
Leadership Style: A Symphony of Ideas
To gather AMR ELZAKY’s insights on being an efficient business leader, we asked, “How would you describe your leadership style?”
AMR Elzaky responded, “Imagine a team where every individual is a talented musician. Alone, each creates beautiful melodies. But together, through open communication and collaboration, they can compose a symphony – a masterpiece that transcends the sum of its parts. This is the magic of collaboration; it unlocks the collective knowledge and diverse perspectives of our team, leading to innovative solutions and groundbreaking strategies.
Each member of the AIC team thrives on diverse perspectives, and we encourage a culture that values and respects every member’s voice. This empowers individuals to unlock their potential, be innovative, and make meaningful contributions to all projects.
Moreover, encouraging open communication fosters trust, shared ownership, and accountability. It builds a culture of respect and collaboration, where successes are celebrated, and challenges are learned from collectively. This collaborative spirit ignites innovation and propels AIC to new heights, achieving what may seem impossible as individuals.”
Motivating And Developing Talent
Eager to learn how AMR ELZAKY fosters talent and creativity in his team, we asked, “What strategies do you use to motivate and develop talent in your organization?”
AMR Elzaky shared, “At AIC, we understand that our greatest asset is our talented team. That’s why we’re dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
Here’s how we empower our people to reach their full potential:
- Investing in Knowledge & Skills: Industry experts lead our comprehensive training programs to keep our team informed on MRO solutions and best practices.
- Fostering a Learning Mindset: We promote industry engagement for continuous learning and a growth mindset within the team.
- Recognition & Appreciation: Our ‘Employee of the Quarter’ program recognizes exceptional performance and motivates the team. We also provide career advancement opportunities to dedicated individuals within AIC.
By investing in our people’s growth, we create a win-win situation. Our employees gain valuable knowledge and skills, leading to increased job satisfaction and career advancement. This, in turn, translates into a more skilled, motivated, and innovative workforce that drives
AIC’s success.”
The Future of MRO: Embracing AI at AIC
Technological advancements, particularly AI are reshaping industries. To learn more about this aspect from AMR ELZAKY, we asked, “What role do you see artificial intelligence or technology playing in this industry?”
AMR Elzaky shared, “The MRO industry is on the cusp of a technological revolution, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerging as a game-changer. At AIC, we recognize the immense potential of AI, particularly in the realm of predictive maintenance.
AI-powered predictive maintenance has the potential to prevent breakdowns and maximize uptime. We are actively investigating how to integrate this technology into our solutions, staying informed about advancements, and evaluating its benefits for our clients.
Furthermore, we are constantly refining our data collection and analysis processes, laying the groundwork for the seamless integration of AI into our service offerings in the future. By embracing AI and other emerging technologies, we aim to empower our clients to operate at peak efficiency, achieve cost savings, and gain a competitive edge. The future of MRO is bright, and at AIC, we’re ready to be at the forefront of this exciting evolution.”
Building a Sustainable Future
To understand AMR ELZAKY’s perspective on the future of his industry, we asked, “How do you envision the future of your industry?”
AMR Elzaky replied, “The future of the MRO industry is not just about efficiency; it’s about sustainability. Companies are increasingly prioritizing environmentally friendly practices, and MRO plays a crucial role in achieving this goal.
At AIC, we understand this shift and are committed to providing solutions that support sustainable operations:
- Championing Green Products: Our portfolio focuses on eco-friendly MRO products, including longer-lasting lubricants and non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning solutions.
- Optimizing Resource Utilization: We prioritize maintenance to extend equipment lifespan and reduce waste.
- Data-Driven Insights for Informed Decisions: Data analysis identifies MRO improvement areas, enabling informed decisions for sustainability.
- Beyond Efficiency, Embracing Responsibility: We prioritize MRO excellence by offering sustainable products, promoting preventative maintenance, and empowering clients to operate sustainably.
- Focus on Environmental Responsibility: We are adding sustainability as a core value of AIC and the future of MRO.
- Specific Examples: We provide concrete examples of how AIC’s product portfolio and services address sustainability trends.
- Connects Sustainability with Business Success: Highlights the link between sustainable MRO practices and a competitive edge.”
Navigating Uncertainty: A Challenge Overcome at AIC
Challenges are a part of every business. So, we asked, “What have been some of the most significant hurdles you’ve encountered in your business, and how did you address them?”
AMR Elzaky replied, “Like many businesses during the global pandemic, AIC faced significant supply chain disruptions. These disruptions threatened our ability to deliver the critical MRO solutions our clients rely on for their operations. Instead of waiting passively, we at AIC adopted a proactive approach.
We capitalized on our strong partnerships to find alternate MRO sources, reducing disruptions for clients. Open communication and transparency-built trust, enabling collaborative problem-solving.”
“Through this proactive approach, we were able to successfully navigate the supply chain disruptions. Our clients continued to receive the MRO products they needed, experiencing minimal to no downtime in their operations. This experience solidified the importance of strong partnerships, agile communication, and a commitment to client success.
Additionally, we’re well-versed in navigating the unique challenges faced by Egyptian companies. This experience has further strengthened our ability to adapt and find creative solutions in the face of adversity.” AMR added.
The Client Compass: Guiding AIC’s Success
To learn more about the worth-sharing business advice that AMR ELZAKY follows in his professional journey, we asked, “What is an excellent piece of business advice you have ever received?”
AMR Elzaky responded, “The single most impactful piece of advice I’ve received is this: ‘Focus on the needs of your clients, and everything else will follow.’ This philosophy serves as a compass, guiding every decision we make at AIC.
Here’s why this principle is so important:
- Client-Centric Leadership: This approach guides our decisions to benefit clients, ensuring alignment with their needs and operational goals.
- Building Trust & Long-Term Partnerships: We prioritize client success, building trust, and long-term partnerships by being a valuable partner, not just a distributor.
- Empowering Our Team: This client focus empowers our team. They understand that their work directly impacts the success of our clients, fostering a sense of purpose and dedication.
- Beyond Transactions, Building Relationships: Focusing on client needs goes beyond simply closing deals. We strive to understand their unique challenges and objectives, partnering with them to find customized solutions.
This commitment to client success is the cornerstone of everything we do at AIC, and it’s the driving force behind our continued growth and success.”
Charting the Course: Balancing Innovation & Stability at AIC
Lastly, to gather insights on how AMR ELZAKY ensures to maintain a balance between visions and operational requirements, we asked, “How do you balance investing in up-to-date ideas with ensuring ongoing operations remain successful?”
AMR Elzaky shared, “At AIC, we believe true success lies in navigating the dynamic waters between ongoing operational excellence and continuous innovation. Both are critical for long-term growth and staying ahead of the curve in the MRO industry.
We prioritize reliable and efficient operations as a foundation for innovation. By optimizing our core processes, we create a stable platform for exploring new ideas and technology.”
“Additionally, we allocate resources to innovation, enabling us to dedicate time, budget, and personnel to developing groundbreaking solutions. Our culture of open communication and collaboration allows ongoing operations to inform innovation while seamlessly integrating new ideas.
Moreover, data analytics is crucial in our decision-making process, evaluating current operations and identifying areas for improvement. This data also guides our investments in new technologies, aligning with client needs and industry trends. Balancing innovation and stability is an ongoing journey, and by prioritizing both, we ensure AIC remains a leader in the industry, delivering value to clients.” AMR concluded.
FOLLOW AMR Elzaky on LinkedIn.
Find AIC on LinkedIn and visit their website www.atlanticglobe.com
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