bahrainthismonth.com | AUGUST 2025 INDIA IN BAHRAIN 57 Bahrain’s Future Engineering Bahrain’s industrial sector has been shaped by leaders who combine technical expertise with strategic vision. Abdul Nafey Arshad Syed, Managing Director of INSEAL Insulation and Engineering Co. WLL, has built his career on this powerful balance. “I have always been passionate about engineering because it offers endless opportunities for innovation and problemsolving,” says Mr. Syed. He began his career with IBP Engineering Division before moving into sales at Steelage Industries Limited, where he learned how to blend technical knowledge with business insight. To strengthen his leadership skills, he completed a Management Education Programme at IIM Ahmedabad, which helped him bridge the gap between engineering and strategic thinking. Mr. Syed then spent 26 years at ITW Signode, a US Fortune 200 Multinational, where he held several leadership roles, including overseeing the Middle East and Africa business and establishing a regional office in Bahrain. “In 2017, together with my Indian and American partners, I cofounded INSEAL WLL. Bahrain’s strategic location, business-friendly environment and welcoming people made it the perfect choice,” he says. “As a Bahraini friend once told me: ‘People who come to Bahrain and drink Adhari water, never leave.’ That sentiment resonates deeply with me.” INSEAL has since become a trusted provider of complete industrial solutions. “We deliver innovations that enhance productivity, cost efficiency, supply chain optimisation, warehousing and sustainability across multiple sectors such as metals, oil and gas, FMCG and construction,” explains Mr. Syed. The company counts ALBA, GARMCO, SULB, BAPCO and Bahrain Pack among its key partners. One of its proudest achievements has been supporting ALBA, and I am grateful for the opportunity given and support of their proactive management team to be a part of their Industry 4.0 Initiatives. This includes areas such as end-of-line packaging and laser marking in primary smelting. Our solutions have helped ALBA improve efficiency, traceability and their sustainability objectives,” he says. Looking ahead, INSEAL is guided by both short-term and five-year long-term plans. “We focus on timely execution, customer satisfaction and year-on-year sales growth,” says Mr. Syed. “Our five-year roadmap includes expanding and leveraging our existing presence in the FMCG sector, with an Indian blue chip in areas of laminates, flexibles and disposables. “We are also collaborating with leading Indian companies in promoting sustainable and eco-friendly solutions in areas of corrosion protection and using recycled plastic for preforms for the growing beverage segment, plus laser marking in FMCG as a key sustainable initiative. Another avenue of growth planned is local manufacturing for a key consumable for packaging in the metal segment. Bahrain’s location and its role as a gateway for global exports make it the ideal hub for these plans.” Mr. Syed believes that people are at the heart of every successful business. “At INSEAL, our stakeholders, whether customers, principals, employees or service providers, are central to everything we do. The guiding principle is simple: have faith in people,” he says. “When you start with trust, collaboration and innovation follow naturally.” For young Indian entrepreneurs and engineers, his advice is clear. “The Middle East and the GCC continue to offer enormous opportunity. Bahrain offers exposure to world-class manufacturing, quality control, IT integration and industrial engineering practices, providing invaluable opportunities to learn and grow. I encourage aspiring professionals to leverage these advantages and immerse themselves fully in the regional ecosystem. As Steve Jobs once said: ‘Stay hungry and stay foolish.’ “On a lighter note, having travelled to airports worldwide, I can confidently say Bahrain has one of the fastest immigration and baggage systems. You can be home within 30 minutes of landing. It is an experience you will not forget!”
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