How did ICON journey begin?
Today, you are one of the most prominent MEP contracting tycoons in Egypt. How did your journey begin? In 2012, we started as ES (Engineering Solutions), which specialised in design only. We managed retailing and commercial projects in Egypt and other countries such as Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. Later, we began our path in contracting. We were encouraged to implement the work not only to seek quality as consultants, but also to complete it as executors. How did you succeed in creating the entity you dreamed of? Building a successful entity is not an easy matter. It requires filtering candidates to make sure that the employees will continue what I-CON had begun. Everyone, from executives to engineers and laborers, is a co-founder. The other factor that helped us succeed was how the quality of the service we deliver to our clients had made them trust us. What was your most challenging project? All projects for I-CON are considered challenging, from the least demanding to the most. Co-ordinating between each segment is a challenge. However, most challenging of all were Cap Floor during corona, and White Villa, which were planned to fit in a timeframe of 68 days with all items imported. What is the scale of your investments? And how far are you looking forward to expand? We have no limit or ceiling for ambition. It’s important to be well calculated. What was the turning point of your career? When I took a decision of switching from being an employee to opening my own business during the time of the January, 2011, revolution. What are the lessons learned from your career path? All the knowledge in the world comes from lessons learned and actions taken, specially the difficult ones. The main lessons were that quality matters, and that focusing is success. In addition, if you don’t invest in new technology, you will be left behind. What do you consider to be your main engine? The work team is the main supporter of all the expansions that have been made. Credits of all achievements go to them. How do you see the future of the contracting field in Egypt? The contracting field is very promising, but we need well-considered economic support from the government that takes into account the state of the internal and global markets as well. What is an advice you’d give to yourself as a young engineer? Keep working hard, and always keep searching for the best. Focus on your targets. Great achievements take time. Nothing will come easy in your career.