Matrah Cold Stores LLC (MCS)is the Sultanate’s leading grocery wholesale distributor of Foodstuff and Tobacco products representing BAT, Colgate, Reckitt Benckiser, Kellogg’s, California Garden, Masafi, AATCO, Nawras and many others. In 2002, BAT consolidated its entire portfolio with MCS. In October 2004 Kellogg's transferred its business to MCS and from January 2005, Reckitt Benckiser consolidated their portfolio with MCS. The Masafi business was acquired in March 2005 coinciding with the launch of the Nawras business in Oman. In late 2006 MCS expanded its activities creating an Industrial Division for the provision of Shell Lubricants to small industrial customers and will in 2007 launch its Toys & Gifts Division bringing amongst other things a range of exciting activities to the beaches of Muscat.

MCS was established as a partnership between W J Towell and Spinneys in November 1967 and commenced activities in 1969. Spinneys had been operating since 1962 in Oman providing catering services for the oil companies. In 1992, Spinneys was acquired by Inchcape and then in 1999 W J Towell purchased Inchcape’s shares in MCS resulting in the Company being wholly owned by W J Towell & Co LLC.

MCS is a 51% partner in a Joint Venture with Nestlé – Nestlé Oman Trading Co LLC (NOT) -which commenced operations from January 2003.

The company also manages 30 Oman Oil Quick Shops in Oman which will increase to 35 IN 2008. In July 2003, MCS formed a Joint Venture with the Al Seer Group establishing Al Fair LLC and transferred nine Al Fair supermarkets into the new Company. In March 2005 MCS sold its shares in Al Fair LLC to the Al Seer Group.

The Company has outsourced its Logistics management to Agility with effect from May 2007. Through their extensive network of temperature controlled warehousing and fleet management, MCS products are distributed from depots in the Capital, Salalah, Sohar, Nizwa, Muladha and AL Kamel serving over 2,500 outlets nationwide. In November 2003, our Tobacco Division acquired ISO 9001:2000 and has equipped all salesmen with Hand Held Terminals. In December 2006,Reckitt Benckiser Division has secured ISO 9001:2000 accreditation.

The Company benefits from the service of over 400 employees including 200 Omani nationals. The company is proud of its success and promotes its 5 key Values to all employees – Service, Teamwork, Innovation, Respect, and Speed. The Company encourages every employee to “Make A Difference”. All Divisions are P/L responsible and operate rigorously to KPI's parameters that are regularly assessed.

The Company was a finalist in the Oman Awards for Excellence for 2002, 2004 and 2006 and was declared winner of the prestigious Flame of Excellence for 2005. In 2001 and 2002, MCS was selected as the fourth best company to work for in Oman. The General Manager was identified as the Best General Manager in Oman in February 2002 by a leading business publication

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