Dr. Harish Tahiliani : Future-Proofing A Legacy Of Quality & Trust
Dr. Harish Tahiliani
Managing Director
In 1994, his father, Kumarlal Tahiliani, summoned him to the UAE, pulling him out of his education and placing the family’s legacy, Arab India Spices (Established in 1986), firmly in his hands. What began for him as a modest responsibility in a small plant in Sharjah soon became a lifelong mission.
Over the next few years, Harish turned Arab India Spices, which had its humble origin in Gujarat as a mere trading house, into the world’s second largest pulse processing companies with vision, determination, and perseverance. A remarkable feat that took him to the list of Top Indian Business Leaders of the Forbes Middle East.
The history of Arab India Spices is as much about the aroma and flavors of pulses and the spices that characterize the cuisine of the Middle East as it is about perseverance and vision. Banking heavily on Harish's vision, Arab India Spices today has a 352,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art plant in Ajman with 17 production lines and processes more than 18,200 MT every month.
It has become a brand name associated with reliability, quality, and innovation. At the helm, Harish continues to fuse tradition and modernity, future-proofing his family's legacy and balancing business excellence and philanthropy. We are delighted to engage in an exclusive conversation with Dr. Harish, who walks us through his journey, leadership approach, and more.
What memorable milestones in your journey bring you the most pride and satisfaction as a leader?
Several milestones stand out in my journey. Moving from Sharjah to a tenfold larger facility in Ajman proved pivotal when India banned pulse exports, allowing us to supply lentils globally. I also took pride in being the first to import raw materials in bulk vessels from Canada.
More recently, inaugurating the silos in March 2020, just before the COVID-19 lockdown, enabled us to maintain supply during a critical period, reinforcing the importance of foresight and strategic planning.
What key quality control measures have you implemented to build a strong customer base?
Over the years, we have sourced the best machinery globally, from the UK, Germany, and Turkey, to ensure optimal performance and product quality. Our quality control involves both in-factory inspections and my personal oversight, with multiple daily checks before packing. Each product is subject to rigorous inspection in order to guarantee the best standards and steady customer satisfaction.
You are also known for your philanthropic contributions and CSR initiatives. Could you tell us about them?
We actively support several charitable initiatives, both locally and inter nationally. In the UAE, we assist organizations like Noor Foundation and SNF that provide education to differently-abled children. We also contribute food supplies during natural calamities and support foundations such as international charity org. (earlier known as Human Appeal). In India, we regularly assist ashrams, old-age homes, and cow shelters, ensuring consistent support for those in need.
What key leadership principles have guided your success in the market?
I strongly believe in maintaining the highest standards of quality, consistently exceeding expectations. I stay closely connected with my team and ensure every customer concern, no matter how small, is addressed promptly and prevented from recurring. I
More recently, inaugurating the silos in March 2020, just before the COVID-19 lockdown, enabled us to maintain supply during a critical period, reinforcing the importance of foresight and strategic planning.
Being consistent and becoming the hardest working employee in your own company
What key quality control measures have you implemented to build a strong customer base?
Over the years, we have sourced the best machinery globally, from the UK, Germany, and Turkey, to ensure optimal performance and product quality. Our quality control involves both in-factory inspections and my personal oversight, with multiple daily checks before packing. Each product is subject to rigorous inspection in order to guarantee the best standards and steady customer satisfaction.
You are also known for your philanthropic contributions and CSR initiatives. Could you tell us about them?
We actively support several charitable initiatives, both locally and inter nationally. In the UAE, we assist organizations like Noor Foundation and SNF that provide education to differently-abled children. We also contribute food supplies during natural calamities and support foundations such as international charity org. (earlier known as Human Appeal). In India, we regularly assist ashrams, old-age homes, and cow shelters, ensuring consistent support for those in need.
What key leadership principles have guided your success in the market?
I strongly believe in maintaining the highest standards of quality, consistently exceeding expectations. I stay closely connected with my team and ensure every customer concern, no matter how small, is addressed promptly and prevented from recurring. I
personally oversee delivery, quality, and customer service, making the process robust and ensuring the smooth sailing of our clients.
What is the next chapter you look forward to in your professional journey?
Moving forward, our goal is to become a one-stop FMCG solution for all our clients by continuously expanding our product portfolio. We are entering new markets and currently have a consumer packaged brand, RK, with over 300 SKUs. In addition, we are packaging for numerous European clients and, following recent tariffs, we are receiving increased inquiries from the US, engaging with potential buyers with promising prospects.
What key advice would you offer to aspiring industry leaders?
For budding entrepreneurs, I would advise being consistent and becoming the hardest-working employee in your own company. Focus on delivering quality, prioritize customer satisfaction, and let service excellence guide your business. When your customers are truly satisfied, success naturally follows.
Dr. Harish Tahiliani, Managing Director, Arab India Spices
Harish is a visionary leader who transformed his father’s modest trading house into world’s second largest pulse processing companies. With over 30 years of relentless dedication, he has combined tradition and innovation to build Arab India Spices into a brand of trust and quality.
•Hobbies: Yoga, watching movies or web series
•Favorite Travel Destination: Paris and Bangkok
•Favorite Cuisine: Thai
Awards and Recognition:
•Award for Most Exports from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce
•Honored by various local Chambers of Commerce in the UAE
•Recognized by the Salt and Pepper
Awards
•Top Indian Business Leaders in the Arab World awarded by Forbes Magazine Middle East in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018
What is the next chapter you look forward to in your professional journey?
Moving forward, our goal is to become a one-stop FMCG solution for all our clients by continuously expanding our product portfolio. We are entering new markets and currently have a consumer packaged brand, RK, with over 300 SKUs. In addition, we are packaging for numerous European clients and, following recent tariffs, we are receiving increased inquiries from the US, engaging with potential buyers with promising prospects.
What key advice would you offer to aspiring industry leaders?
For budding entrepreneurs, I would advise being consistent and becoming the hardest-working employee in your own company. Focus on delivering quality, prioritize customer satisfaction, and let service excellence guide your business. When your customers are truly satisfied, success naturally follows.
Dr. Harish Tahiliani, Managing Director, Arab India Spices
Harish is a visionary leader who transformed his father’s modest trading house into world’s second largest pulse processing companies. With over 30 years of relentless dedication, he has combined tradition and innovation to build Arab India Spices into a brand of trust and quality.
•Hobbies: Yoga, watching movies or web series
•Favorite Travel Destination: Paris and Bangkok
•Favorite Cuisine: Thai
Awards and Recognition:
•Award for Most Exports from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce
•Honored by various local Chambers of Commerce in the UAE
•Recognized by the Salt and Pepper
Awards
•Top Indian Business Leaders in the Arab World awarded by Forbes Magazine Middle East in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018