B.P. NASSAR

Managing Director – Frontline Logistics Group

The ‘unlimited’ art of running logistics business.

At times uncertainty leads you to new unlimited possibilities. Way back in 2009, when five young bloods, B.P Nassar, his wife Febina Nassar, family members Afsal Ali, Anwar Ali and Mustafa Kari, sat on the floor of their tiny apartment in Kuwait and brainstormed over the possibilities of a business venture, they got the ball rolling from that uncertainty. Those days, Nassar was working, but all others were novices, and their only asset was the will power to face the challenges. Still there was an air of gloom while the discussion was on in that winter morning, as the three jobless youngsters felt they would not get a proper job.

While the discussion was on, Nassar came up with the idea that logistics offered great possibilities. Since he had corporate experience in that field, others also agreed. That was the beginning of a logistic company in Kuwait, which would soon spread wings to other parts of the world. It was not a cakewalk for them, and even their family members were apprehensive. But the young entrepreneurs with a dream to share decided to move ahead. Thus was born Frontline Logistics, with the tagline ‘Services Unlimited’.

Now looking back, we can see that entrepreneurship was there in the blood of Nassar. Born at Eramangalam, in Malappuram district of Kerala on December 25, 1974, as the son of Ummumadathil Ummer and Kadeeja Kutty, he learned the art and science of entrepreneurship following the steps of his father, beginning from his hometown. After completing his MBA, he assisted his family, especially in the hotel industry. Later, he joined a construction company that had the subcontract for the runway extension work of Kozhikode airport among other major projects. After gaining solid experience, he relocated to Kuwait, and started his career as a sales executive. He soon climbed the ladders of corporate success and worked with Mubarad Transportation, a leading transportation and logistics company, for four years, and specialized in land transportation.

It was around this time that Nassar and his close relatives set up Frontlines. Within one year, the Kuwait startup proved to be a roaring success and it expanded operations to Iraq, which further strengthened the market of Frontline Logistics. The tagline for the Iraq logistics was ‘Your Gateway to Iraq’. Next destination was Dubai, where they opened a liaison office in 2012. This office was supposed to be a support office for Frontline Logistics’ Kuwait and Iraq operations. However, a sharp entrepreneur, Nassar felt that Dubai has much more to offer. So he invited Vivian Castelino, a logistic veteran in the region, to join them as group regional manager. That was a major move, which had far-reaching impact in the success story of Frontline Logistics, and they created magic. In 2014, they opened another office in Jebel Ali Free Zone.

With the small facility in Dubai developing into a full-fledged multi-task office within a span of three years, they planned strategic expansion. Since Iraq was the main market for Frontline Logistics Services, more staffers were appointed in that country, where they had already set up offices in Umm Qasr, Basra, Baghdad and Erbil. Next was Saudi Arabia, and Frontline crossed another frontier in 2015, with the offices in Jeddah and Dammam. Then they set up the office in Doha, Qatar, in 2016. Spread over the GCC and elsewhere, Frontline Logistics is present in ten countries including Kuwait, UAE, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Iraq, Oman and India and having a network all around the world, with over 600 employees. Now they are planning to enter other markets as well.

Once the business thrived, Nassar and team felt the need of a backend office to support all their establishments. That was how an office was set up at Kunnamkulam, in Kerala, in January 2016, and all support activities were transferred from all offices of Frontline Logistics to this ultra-modern backend office that functions round the clock. This created an efficient control system for the company. Then the young team decided there must be management representatives in each country and thus the team, Nassar, Mustafa, Afsal, Rabeeh and Febina, were positioned as directors in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi and India respectively. Currently Nassar is the Manager for Land Transportation in Frontline Logistics.
Shipment deliveries to Iraq from all over the world, through air, sea and overland is the specialty of the company. Though Frontline Logistics is active in relocation (only in Kuwait), Free Zone activities, customs clearance, GCC trucking, inter-state trucking, warehousing, consolidation cargo (LCL), freight forwarding and handling project, cargo remains the main focus of the Group. This way, the customer list, specifically in the MNC sector, grew bigger. In 2013, they got the ISO certification. Network association with WCA, IAM, C5C and CGLI gave the group tremendous advantage in dealing with worldwide logistics requirements.

However, the success makes him simpler and he says, “It’s our constant endeavor to extend the unlimited services to our clients, with an aim to provide best logistics services.”

As a business conglomerate, Frontline is also a world-class service provider for aviation, fully functional in the regions of the Middle East, South Asia and Iraq. No doubt, today they have positioned themselves as a major player in the global logistics market, and the group is fast diversifying to other areas as well.
The major business divisions of the Frontline Group are: Frontline Logistics Co WLL, Frontline Relocations, Frontline International General Trading, Frontline Express, Frontline Aviation, Coolline Radiators & Auto Spare Parts, Frontline Hospitality & Property Management, Frontline Academy of Logistics, Frontline Projects & Property Management, FLG Changaramkulam Convention Center, and Sathmya Ayurveda Hospital and Wellness Resort.

This alchemy of successful diversification is simple, says Nassar. Leading from the front, senior management is working hand in hand with the employees to ensure services offered are efficient. Everyone is a family member here, and they celebrate every festive occasion, be it Onam lunch, Iftar party, Christmas party or annual family get-togethers and various games activities.
Despite being a busy entrepreneur, Nassar is personally involved in many philanthropic activities in the Middle East and in India, and the company is also very serious about Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. Nassar took the initiative of building houses for the flood affected mass of Kerala and he always makes sure he is there for the support of the needy.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of World of Logistics Nassar was awarded with “Star of Asia” trophy earlier this year.
Nassar and Febina are blessed with three daughters, Nowrin Khadija, Fiza Fathima and Nafrin Amina.

Permanent address
Frontline Logistics Group
P.O. Box: 314, Farwaniya 81014
Kuwait
Phone (965) 24712298
Fax: (965) 2471 2886
Mobile (965) 9721 6069
Email •
Website: www.fllogistics.com