Arman Muslim Foods Industrial Group of Xinjiang
¡ËXinjiang Arman Halal Food Industry Group Co., Ltd.¡Ë
Arman Muslim Foods Industrial Group of Xinjiang, Ltd. is a famous ethnic minority company in Xinjiang. Arman is also the leading company in Chinas agriculture industry for the development and production of nutritious Muslim food products. Arman has four China Green Food certified production bases that supply their Muslim food wholesale and retail markets. These bases use environmentally friendly farming and production methods to produce over 200 kinds of products under the Arman brand name.
Using a unique marketing concept known in Chinese as the 10,000 Villages & 1,000 Towns Project, Arman is seeking to make their slogan healthy food, healthy life a reality for everyone from the smallest village to the biggest city. To do this they are pursuing the goal to make the Arman brand name the leading Muslim food brand name in China. In Xinjiang, Arman has established 10 logistics distribution centers to supply more than 2,600 supermarkets and chain stores as well as over 80 sales representatives. Arman brand name products are being sold throughout Xinjiang as well as in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Small quantities are also being exported to the Middle East, Central Asia and other countries within the Muslim consumer market.
Due to its consistent production of high quality products, Arman was listed among the leading agricultural private enterprises of China in 2003. In the same year, Arman received without difficulty the International Quality Management System ISO 9001-2000 certification; and in 2006 the Arman line of food products received the certification of both the HACCP [Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points] International Food Safety System and that of the GMP [Good Manufacturing Practice] Quality Health Food Production Regulations.
In the area of product development, Arman takes advantage of the local natural resources of Xinjiang. The chickpea, or garbanzo bean, has been widely used for more than 2,500 years in Uyghur Traditional Medicine and food.
Other locally grown foods are rich in many types of nutrients needed by the human body, and thus serve as the foundation for product. These include natural walnuts, almonds, apricot seeds, pumpkin seeds, chicory, and the Chinese wolfberry.
Using these natural ingredients, Arman has developed more than thirty kinds of nutritious drink powders. These nutritious drink powders strengthen the body and the mind by supplying additional nutrients and fortifying the immune system. 20 kinds of nutritious drink powders are China Green Food certified.
Arman has also invested a lot of capital in the research and development of more than 200 specialty foods. These include Arman Nutritious Drink Powders, Arman Chocolates, Arman Candies, Arman Nut Bars, Arman pure bottled water, Arman Tea Drinks and Arman Baked Goods.
Radil Abla,Uygur Young Entrepreneur, has studied hard in order to provide better leadership for Arman. His degrees include: Master of Economics & Management from Xinjiang University, an MBA from the Antai College of Economics & Management at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and a Doctor of International Nutrition form the International Open Medical University of the United Nations.
He has also been recognized as One of the Outstanding Builders in the Socialism Cause with Chinese Characteristics in the National Second Session, One of the Ten Prominent Young People in Xinjiang winning the Innovative Science and Technology Award, One of the First China MBA/EMBA Top Ten Famous Figures in 2006 and One of the Fifth Session Xinjiang Top Ten Outstanding Young People.
Uygur entrepreneur hopes to emulate Walmart, Unilever
URUMQI - Big names like Walmart, Nestle, and Unilever fall easily and often from Uygur entrepreneur Radil Abla's tongue.
"We have set them as our examples in developing business," said Abla, general manager of Xinjiang Arman Industrial Co.
Abla's aim is to build Arman into the world's top halal food brand. Today the company has already become the most famous halal food manufacturer in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, with over 200 kinds of products ranging from nutritional powder to milk and cakes.
Apart from food manufacturing, Arman has also expanded its portfolio into the retail and logistics industries. It now operates 2,275 chain stores in Xinjiang, and is building 10 distribution centers in the region.
Abla established Arman together with his brother 15 years ago after quitting the civil service. The two started their business with initial capital of just 3,000 yuan, renting an 8 sq m room in Urumqi selling home appliances.
Abla, with a degree in biology, soon turned his attention to Xinjiang's rich agricultural resources.
"They are another gold mine for people to explore, but few have paid attention to them," he said.
Today, Arman is also using some locally grown nuts to make different kinds of products, such as badam (almonds) and chickpeas, all of which have achieved success on the market.
Arman now owns four farms in Xinjiang, which provide materials including walnuts, chickpeas, milk and badam. The company has very strict standards to ensure the quality of its products, said Abla.
"Good quality contributes a lot to the success of our food products."
Besides striving for high quality, Abla has also used different methods to promote his company's products. When he decided to make TV commercials for his products, he first chose a local TV channel broadcasting in the Uygur language.
"Choosing that channel we can target Uygur people more," he said.
Now Arman advertisements can now also be seen on Chinese-language TV channels. Its products are available in big supermarkets in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, and are also exported to many other countries.
Having achieved big success in the food industry, Abla has ambitious plans for the company's two other businesses. The company plans to have 5,000 chain stores in five years, and increase its distribution centers in the region to 15.
The company is learning from many international giants to develop its business, said Abla. For its retail business, it is looking at the business models of companies like Walmart.
As for the food sector, the company is looking at companies like Nestle and McDonalds, said Abla.
Abla believes his company will benefit a lot from the central government's moves to boost Xinjiang's economy. "I am confident about the future."
He added that the company is also starting work on a possible listing within the next five years.