www.bahrainthismonth.com USA in Bahrain Ahmed Yateem, the Managing Director of Yateem Airconditioning is one of the emerging brood of prominent young family business owners reflecting with pride upon his family’s business and personal relationships with the United States. “A legacy that started a century ago by his late grandfather Mr. Hussein Yateem continues to develop in the 21st century” says Mr. Yateem highlighting the A.M. Yateem Brothers- an epitome of Arabian Trade Philosophy & culture which follows the motto of “Simplicity and honesty in Business”. As we sat down over coffee in the Yateem Airconditioning office in Manama along with their COO, Mr. Mazin Zaidan, Mr. Yateem had prepared evidence in the form of newspaper cuttings and old advertisements documenting his grandfather and great-grandfather’s strident efforts to bring the best from America to serve Bahrain’s communities. As a young 28-year-old ambitious businessman, Mr. Hussein Yateem always had an eye for the best quality and highest form of customer service. According to one article in the New York Times, on 4th August 1939, Mr. Hussein Yateem, Mr. Ahmed’s late grandfather visited the United States for the first time in 1939 accompanying Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa al Khalifa to attend the World Fair. A visit that opened up a sea of opportunities. It was during this visit that he met another fellow businessman turned friend, the founder of Carrier, Dr. Willis Carrier. A friendship that blossomed into a strong relationship between Bahrain and the United States, most importantly favouring the future of business developments in Bahrain. In an era where air conditioning was relatively new, at the fair Mr. Hussein was mesmerised by a large revolving globe showing visitors how air conditioning was used all over the world- from the Arctic circle to the equator. Inside the Carrier Corporation pavilion, which was shaped like a giant igloo with “snow” encrusted walls and the “Northern Lights” glowing from its ceiling they explained the system that had the power to change climates. As a quick observer Mr. Hussein immediately spotted the potential for the Middle East region. By 1985, Mr. Hussain Yateem was one of the few people who had known and interacted with Dr. Willis the founder of Carrier. Hence, the then Carrier president, Mr. Geraud Darnis, in 2010 flew all the way on his private jet to Bahrain specifically to meet him. With the long history of trading with the USA, the A.M. Yateem Brothers contributed in developing the island’s business structure in numerous fields. In 1923, Mr. Ahmed’s late great grandfather Mr. Ali Ahmed Yateem was the importer of General Motor vehicles and later Mr. Hussein Yateem imported Studebaker vehicles in the 1940’s. In an article in the South bend Tribune, Mr. Hussain, a man with a quick wit, joked that Studebaker vehicles don’t wear out, only to ensure that the vehicles were so reliable and long-lasting, that there was never any need to replace them. In the same article, Mr. Hussein, master of diplomacy, was also quoted saying that, “President Roosevelt is the most charming man I have ever met.” Adding to his established business of a movie theatre, concession for L&M tobacco, operation of distilled water, ice plants, gasoline and kerosene, Yateem became the official distributor for Carrier in 1946. This was followed by another major landmark in 1981 with the opening of the Yateem Center, which was the very first airconditioned shopping centre in the region; using Carrier technology, located next to Bab Al Bahrain. The first ice plant was introduced into Bahrain using Carrier Brunswick technology and was importing US manufactured appliances including refrigerators in the 1950s. These developments became popular with the island residents. A large population purchased air conditioners for their homes to “beat the heat” while weekends were spent visiting the Yateem center with family and friends – the results of a visionary Bahraini businessman with unmatched foresight. A Centuryof Trade 12 July 2021 Willis Carrier Carrier President, Mr. Geraud Darnis, meeting Mr. Hussain Yateem in Bahrain in 2010. Mr. Ahmed Yateem
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