Arafa Holding
History
Arafa's business dates back to 1907 when Abdel Ma’ssoud Arafa established himself as a fabric retailer in the Nile Delta region. After many years in the Delta area, the Arafa family moved its fabric retailing business to Cairo to increase visibility and to capitalize on the growing urban market. In 1956, the State nationalized the family business.
In 1974, Mr. Ahmed Arafa restarted the family business as a fabric retailer and expanded its operations to add garment production to the retail business. In 1977, he opened the first retail shop selling fabric and garments in Port Said. At this time, all of the garments sold in the retail shop were finished products imported primarily from Europe. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Arafa expanded the business again by taking control of the manufacturing process for the garments to be sold in the Port Said retail shop, which included designing garments in France, buying fabric from England and manufacturing garments in Turkey and Hong Kong. In 1984, Mr. Arafa expanded the business again by founding Goldentex Wool Company, which engaged in the production of textiles from raw material to finished product.
Mr. Arafa’s two sons, Eng. Ashraf Arafa and Dr. Alaa Arafa, continued to further develop and expand the family business as garment manufacturers and retailers as follows:
- In 1989, Swiss Garments Company, a manufacturer of casual and formal wear, was founded;
- In 1994, a majority stake in Port Said Garments Company was acquired;
- In 1997, Concrete, a retailer of smart, casual menswear was acquired;
- In 2000, Egypt Tailoring Company, a manufacturer of high-end formal wear was founded;
- In 2000, Middle East Tailoring Company, a manufacturer of formal wear, was established through a joint venture between Port Said Garments Company and Bagir;
- In 2002, Brands for Less Company, a retailer of men’s and women’s finished garments was founded;
- In 2004, a 31.6% stake in BMB Group Limited, a menswear company located in the United Kingdom, was acquired;
- In 2005 and 2006, a 42.6% stake in Goldentex Company was acquired;
- In 2006, a joint venture with the Forall Group was established, to manufacture and retail garments under the new Querini brand name, which is targeted at the Italian retail market; and Apparel International Company was also established, which is a wholesale company that sells finished garments to retailers in the United Kingdom, increasing the Holding stake in BMB and Goldentex.
- In 2007, Arafa Holding acquire Swedish brand Melka from its owner M/T Owner in April.
- In 2008, Arafa Holding signed an agreement to acquire the wholesale business of John Langford that owns the brands of Piscador, Pierre Sanganand Haynes & Bonner. Additionally, the Company will acquire thePierre Cardin licenses for men’s formal shirts.
- In 2008 Arafa Holding signed an agreement to acquire a 35% stake in Forall Confezioni S.p.A.