History
In March 1956, Georges N. Frem, recognizing that demand for packaging materials in the Arabian Gulf was bound to exponentially increase, forged a partnership with future-minded Saudi businessman, Abdul Rahman Al-Moaibed, to create National Paper Products Company in Dammam. NPPC was the first manufacturing plant of paper bags, cement bags, tissue rolls, and plastic crates in Saudi Arabia.
Initially supplying Aramco and a small institutional market, the company quickly expanded to produce tissue consumer products, given high demographic growth and new market needs. In 1963, Napco pioneered plastic film manufacturing in the Arabian Gulf, two decades before the inauguration of the plastic resin industry by Saudi Basic Industry Corporation (SABIC).
Georges Frem at his first paper bag plant,
National Paper Products Company (NPPC), in Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Chafic & Georges Frem with Abdul Rahman Al Moaibed
at NPPC in Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Georges Frem & Abdel Aziz Al Moaibed,
partners in the manufacturing operation that will evolve into Napco
Hussein Abdel Latif, Georges Frem, Abdel Aziz Al Moaibed, Rabih Frem
Today, over 50 years after our founding, Napco companies have developed into a two billion Saudi riyal operation. Significant diversification has taken us into a wide variety of products and markets, structured along three strategic business units:
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Consumer Products Division
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Flexible Packaging Division
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Paper Containers
As a privately owned business, we are driven by entrepreneurship and a pioneering spirit. The autonomy of each affiliate - associated with the continuous build up of management capabilities – constitutes the basis for growth and specialization. In order to enhance business focus, affiliates operate independently while maintaining synergy with one another. Newly formed companies have well designed product portfolios and geographically distinct target markets.
The pride of Napco companies today is our rich client reference list – including Aramco since 1956 and SABIC since 1982, as well as top ranked multinationals based in the Middle East.
Mission
Napco's leadership position in many sectors compels us to assume certain responsibilities. Continous product imporvement - in terms of quality, consistency, and economic value to our customers - is a top priority of our companies' managers and employees.
Our challenge is not only to proactively adopt global product development innovations, as well as knowledge and technology transfer, but also to adjust our products to the specific needs of our Middle Eastern clients.
As important, Napco companies strives to supply a portfolio of customer care services, in addition to a portfolio of products. This approach constitutes the foundation for mutually strategic long-term relationships with our customers.
Principles
Napco companies benefit from a corporate culture which emphasizes transnational cooperation and complementarity. As members of a larger group, facilities in the US, Europe, Egypt, Lebanon, and GCC countries engage in technical and human resource exchange, procurement, and pooling of resources. The objective – to manufacture and deliver the highest quality products to customers at the most economical cost.
Respect for the environment, another important principle, permeates Napco’s production processes. Napco was the first in Saudi Arabia to spearhead recycling of plastics in both Dammam and Jeddah. This initial effort, praised by local authorities, has expanded to today’s large-scale collection, transportation, and recycling of plastic waste from all Napco affiliates – as well as a multitude of other industrial companies – throughout the Kingdom.
Given the nature of its manufacturing facilities, Napco reinforces commitment to safety in all areas of its operations. From initial business planning through implementation, affiliates operate according to well-developed accident prevention and reaction programs, which include regular training, drills, and monitoring.
Napco recognizes the competitive edge that professional education and training bring to its people.
