Engineer Mohammed Almady
When you decide to see beyond what others see and create something that surpasses the possible, you are leading real change. And that is exactly what Engineer Mohammed bin Hamad Almady did.
How did he transform SABIC from a local company into a global giant in petrochemicals? Here’s the story with Lamia Almadhi and munerh alwhaibi
Here is a leader with an ambitious vision. He traveled abroad to learn and returned with great passion to lead SABIC. As one of the company’s own, he witnessed its birth and climbed the ranks until he became General Manager of Projects. He demonstrated his practical expertise and leadership skills, which qualified him for his position as Vice Chairman and CEO.
Who is Mohammed Almady? He is a chemical engineer who earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1973. He then completed his master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Wyoming in 1976, building a strong scientific foundation that later enabled him to lead massive projects.
The initial spark and beginnings of SABIC.
In the 1970s, Saudi Arabia was preparing for a new phase while associated gas from oil production was being wasted without utilization. Amid this scene, Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi’s vision emerged—he recognized the potential of this resource, leading to the creation of SABIC, a national company that laid the foundation for an industry that transformed resources into real economic value.
When Engineer Mohammed Almady took the helm of SABIC in 1998, it was not yet at the top of the global industries. But with a bold vision, he expanded its reach into Europe, Asia, and America. He was not merely seeking profits—he built a sustainable entity that left a lasting impact on both the national and global economy, propelling SABIC among the giants of the industry.
Under Almady’s leadership and with government support, SABIC’s global ranking jumped from 25th place in 1998 to 4th in 2015. Its assets quadrupled to $87.5 billion, and its production capacity grew to over 65 million tons annually. Net profit surged to $5 billion, and the number of employees doubled, all driven by his strategic leadership.
Almady’s journey with SABIC… is today’s achievement.
Seventeen years of inspiring leadership, during which Mohammed Almady led SABIC through transformational changes towards new horizons. It wasn’t just a span of years—it was a journey filled with wise decisions that turned challenges into opportunities, elevating SABIC to a global status future generations take pride in.
In addition to serving as Vice Chairman and former CEO of SABIC, Mohammed Almady held several other positions, including:
Global Expansion:
Under his leadership, SABIC made strategic leaps toward globalization, including its $11.6 billion acquisition of GE Plastics in 2007, strengthening its presence in the U.S. market. He also contributed to strategic partnerships, such as collaborations with Mosaic and Ma’aden to establish the world’s largest phosphate production complex.
SABIC believes that innovation is the key to growth. That’s why it established global research centers, including its Houston Technical Center in 1997, to support the development of advanced materials and sustainability. It also operates research centers in Saudi Arabia, Europe, China, and India, ensuring its leadership and continuous delivery of innovative solutions to global markets.
Leadership that inspires, achievements worth telling.
When passion meets leadership, great accomplishments happen!
From leading SABIC to global recognition, Mohammed Almady received well-deserved international accolades in honor of his contributions. Here are some of his most notable awards:
Almady steps down from SABIC… and embarks on a new leadership journey!
After nearly 17 years as Vice Chairman and CEO of SABIC, Almady announced his resignation in 2015.
However, his journey did not end there—His Royal Highness issued a decree appointing him as Chairman of the Military Industries, allowing him to continue playing a vital role in advancing the industrial sector and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s strategic industries.
From SABIC to the military industries, Engineer Mohammed Almady’s leadership journey was never an end in itself—it was a means to build a stronger future.
As he once said: “Leadership is not a position; it is a responsibility we pass on to future generations.”
His legacy endures, and his journey continues to inspire!
Refrences:
1.SABIC. (1997–2015). Annual reports. Retrieved from https://www.sabic.com/ar/reports
2.SABIC MEA. (2025, February 8). [Tweet]. X. Retrieved from https://x.com/sabic_mea/status/1834548121264607340
3.أرقام. (2025). تفاصيل حول شركة سابك. Retrieved from https://betapp.argaamcharts.com/ar/article/articledetail/id/369061
4.SABIC. (2025). SABIC announces appointing an acting CEO. Retrieved from https://www.sabic.com/ar/news/4193-sabic-announces-appointing-an-acting-ceo
5.Wikipedia. (2025). Mohamed Al-Mady. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Al-Mady
6.أراجيك. (2025). السيرة الذاتية لمحمد الماضي. Retrieved from https://www.arageek.com/bio/mohammed-al-madi
7.Al-jazirah.com