Mohammad Abdullatif Ismail, a detail-oriented General Manager with a proven history of workforce optimization through morale-boosting and process automation. He is passionate and results-oriented carrying more than 18 years of experience boosting the performance of sales, supply chain, procurement and manufacturing operations. Furthermore, he is strategic and innovative with an eagerness for driving flexible packing products development, realization and commercialization with an emphasis on aluminium, paper and plastic-based products.

AlCircle: How the fluctuation in European aluminium price has impacted your import cost of aluminium foil from the region?

Md Abdullatif Ismail: Basically, the fluctuation in European aluminium prices resulted in a spike of 40% in our import cost. Consequently, we had to try sourcing from different regions like Asia.

AlCircle: As a supplier of aluminium end-use products to Europe, have you faced any challenges in export demand due to the ongoing volatile market in the region?

Md Abdullatif Ismail: Actually, we had a surge in demand for export markets, especially in the aluminium and paper-based products like the packaging for ice cream, butter and bouillon. The major challenge we faced was the skyrocketing ocean freight rates to Europe.

AlCircle: What suggestion would you like to give to European aluminium plants regarding the increased production cost for higher energy prices?

Md Abdullatif Ismail: Curtailing production can be a scenario to follow to limit the losses due to the rising energy cost while seeking government support through subsidies to stay in business and preserve their domestic and foreign market shares.  

AlCircle: How the downfall in European aluminium production has affected your foil import?

Md Abdullatif Ismail: We had to adopt a geographically diversified sourcing strategy with an emphasis on streamlined suppliers’ onboarding to counteract the downfall of aluminium production from Europe. In addition, we sharpened our manufacturing and supply chain capabilities by embracing new tactics that included standardization of portfolios, and proliferation in the level of aluminium safety stocks coverage to cater to our clients’ growing demand. 

AlCircle: Have you faced any challenges in your end-use production due to the supply scarcity of aluminium foil from Europe?

Md Abdullatif Ismail: Technically speaking, we do have an effective procurement strategy in place that could help us weather the storms even in the most difficult conditions.

AlCircle: How do you foresee the overall growth of the aluminium value chain in 2022?

Md Abdullatif Ismail: Despite all the disruptions and instabilities across most of the countries where the segment of the aluminium value chain is located, I believe 2022 would witness an overall growth especially if the demand for aluminium-based products from the major sectors remains consistent.