CEO Insights Magazine

Renewable energy sources such as solar thermal and wind systems generate zero carbon emissions, safeguarding the atmosphere and mitigating the impact of global warming. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, which are major contributors to climate change and environmental pollution, sustainable energy plays a vital role in protecting our planet. Ecoval Trading, Dubai founded in 2002, swiftly became a major player in providing sustainable solutions by providing turnkey solutions with solar thermal plants, hot water heat pumps, pool heat pumps and condensing boilers. With diverse projects completed in commercial, residential and institutional domains, Ecoval gained a strong presence in the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabian marketplace. Expanding operations across the Gulf region, they now have key projects in Bahrain and Qatar as well. Ecoval is renowned for its top-quality sustainable energy solutions with some of the world’s leading brands. Jim Sebastian, the Managing Director, has been the guiding force, persistently striving for growth, to make a mark for itself and for a sustainable future for our children. During a personal interview, Jim Sebastian provided us with a detailed understanding of the inner workings of the organization and the effectiveness of his contributions.

Can you provide a concise summary of your professional history and achievements? What drives your daily routines and keeps you motivated?

I've always had a deep-rooted passion for math and science and India is a country where one has to really excel in these subjects to get into even a regional engineering college. My journey began with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1991 from a prestigious college in south India, Govt Engineering College, Trichur which has been instrumental in shaping Ecoval's trajectory. I initiated my career in New Delhi, working on power station projects with esteemed engineering corporations. With exposure to such vast corporate landscapes, I transitioned to Dubai, inspired to pioneer my enterprise. In 2002, that vision materialized as I established Ecoval. Leveraging insights from my master's in International Management from a leading business school, IMI New Delhi, I sought not only to match but exceed industry benchmarks in both value and client satisfaction. Now, 21 years later, we stand tall, boasting unparalleled product quality, esteemed brands, and accolades from consultants. Our recent foray into Saudi Arabia came on the heels of our success in the UAE and Oman, cementing our reputation with landmark undertakings such as the world's largest waterpark with a heating capacity of 35,000 kW with Voltas.

In your perspective, how do you characterize Ecoval Trading as a company and where does it stand in the current market?

Ecoval, is a fusion of 'ecology' and 'value'—a testa­ment to our commitment to environmental and soci­etal sustainability. We embarked on this journey with 'Solahart' solar water heaters from Australia, who were a well-known brand in 90 countries and repre­sented quality. We swiftly established our foothold, subsequently broadening our repertoire to include diverse sustainable solutions and we pride ourselves on being a holistic solu­tion provider, adept at catering to multifaceted project demands. Unlike sprawling MNCs, our ap­proach is personalized; we offer consultants a singular touchpoint, en­suring bespoke solutions tailored to each venture. The endorsements we've received for our brands and the quality of our solutions underscore our leadership position in the industry.

Please share insights into your leadership style, as well as the principles and approaches you employ to guide and manage your team effectively.

Perfectionism and hands on is my ethos. I ardently believe that every endeavor warrants a 100 percent commitment; anything less can inadvertently affect the outcome. A cherished dialogue I had with a former CEO illuminated my conviction: quality is rooted in one’s mindset. To illustrate, if one were to ask ten individuals to sketch a straight line, only the individual who painstakingly ensures precision, truly comprehends quality. Presently, a challenge lies in instilling this ethos in the newer generation. Many show hesitancy towards deep technical learning, essential for emerging as industry leaders. Our work, characterized by stringent deadlines and precision, is unforgiving of errors. A singular oversight could be detrimental, both reputationally and financially. My 32-year experience underscores the gravity of unwavering attention and avoiding the pitfalls of complacency.

What is your channels to market?

We spend 75 percent our time in providing design assistance to the world’s leading consultants such as WSP, Aecom, Atkins, Ramboll, Meinhardt, WME, Barr & Wray and many others. A hot water system is among the top 3 engineering challenges in a hotel or building with the user needing it at the right pressure, flow, temperature and in 10s time. Most hotels around the world are not able to achieve this mainly due to commercial compromises made by the client and many due to simply a poor design. We have managed to create a trust factor over the last few decades with the consultants who see us as ‘go to hot water specialist integrator’ and today we feel very proud with this recognition.

Where do you envision your future journey leading you?

Our engineering feats in the UAE are commendable, with prestigious projects such as the Royal Atlantis, Zabeel 1 twin tower, Zayed Nat. Museum and collaborations with renowned names like Hilton, Marriott, Anantara, Starwoods, Accor, the list goes on. Our recent venture into Saudi Arabia has already borne fruit with significant hotel projects in the Red Sea.. Our reputation is burgeoning, evidenced by our affiliations with esteemed developers like Emaar and Nakheel. Saudi Arabia's dynamic economic landscape beckons as the next frontier, and we're poised to contribute meaningfully to its ascension.

Jim Sebastian, Managing Director, Ecoval Trading

Jim has been the dedicated and accomplished leader, leading the company with passion and vision. With his astute leadership, expertise and relentless pursuit of excellence, he has played a pivotal role in steering the organization towards sustainable growth, prominence and success in the market.