Mohamed Farid Khamis
"From our beginnings as a single loom, Oriental Weavers has grown to become the global trendsetter for innovative rug and carpet design and the world's largest carpets and related raw materials producer. We have always invested heavily in product development and innovation, believing firmly, and rightly, as our consistent performance shows, that innovation is imperative to maintaining and expanding worldwide market leadership.
Oriental Weaver's global team is hand-picked to provide us with the top international and local talent. Our team is comprised of top talent both locally and worldwide, ensuring we stay plugged in on-the-ground while remaining pioneers internationally. The foundation of our storied past, and the guarantor of our future, lies in Oriental Weaver's emphasis on motivation, teamwork and integrity in the workplace.
As we continue to navigate a changing world, our human capital, in which we have invested so deeply, will remain our most valued asset. It is through our valued employees that we will move ahead providing trendsetting and industry-leading products and services to our clients and customers across the globe."
Biography
Mohamed Farid Khamis was born on April 14, 1940, in Sharkia, Egypt. He had a strong belief in the potential of Egypt and its people, focusing not only on business success but also on community development and social responsibility.
He started his career in Kuwait in 1967, working as an accountant for a local carpet and flooring distributor. Over time, he expanded the company's customer base and formed partnerships with major manufacturers worldwide, becoming the largest importer of European and American flooring into the Middle East.
In 1978, he relocated to Egypt and founded Oriental Weavers, which quickly became the largest producer of machine-woven and tufted carpets globally. The company and its subsidiaries currently employ over 22,000 people across Egypt, Europe, and the USA.
Beyond Oriental Weavers, he founded several other companies, including MAC Carpet, the Egyptian Fiber Company (EFCO), Oriental Weavers USA, Oriental Weavers China, the Egyptian Petrochemical Company, Oriental Petrochemical Company, and Oriental Urban Developments. He also held influential positions including Chairman of the Egyptian Investors Federation, Chairman of the Egyptian Committee for the International Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Egyptian Industries Union.
He established Al Shorouk Academy for Higher Learning in 1995, accommodating over 12,000 students, and in 2005 founded The British University in Egypt (BUE) in partnership with the British Council and Loughborough University, offering degrees to more than 11,000 students annually. He also founded the M.F. Khamis Foundation and the Khamis Foundation for Community Development, which have funded hospitals, medical equipment, school renovations, tuition grants, orphanage sponsorships, and restoration of houses of worship.
The Man Who Wove the Future
In the 1980s, Roni Couri, CEO of Couristan, crossed paths with Mr. Farid, the visionary founder of Oriental Weavers. This tribute from his friends and admirers shares insight into the carpet and rug industry, and how his belief in people shaped an industry that embraced computerized design and integrated loom technology decades ahead of its time.