Rania Gohar: GOHAR has been delivering quality for 40 years… and our real story begins inside the factory

In a market where economic and consumer trends shift quickly, some local brands remain strong, proving the power of Egyptian industry and its ability to compete. One of these brands is GOHAR, which has spent four decades growing from a small family workshop into a trusted household name across Egypt.
In this special interview with Al-Motawwer, Rania Gohar — CEO of GOHAR Industrial & trading Company — shares the secrets behind the company’s success, its development journey, the challenges turned into opportunities, and the vision guiding GOHAR into the future.

How did the story of GOHAR begin 40 years ago?
Our story started in 1986 with my father, the late Egyptian industrial pioneer Mohamed Gohar. He believed deeply that Egyptian-made products could compete globally if they had real quality and a clear vision. It began with a small shop in Abdeen, in the heart of Cairo, selling homeware and antiques. But his ambition was much bigger than retail. His vision was simple but bold: to build a 100% Egyptian industrial company producing home products that match international quality — making “Made in Egypt” a label people trust. With hard work and persistence, that small shop grew into a full factory in 10th of Ramadan City. Over time, production lines expanded and our products spread across Egypt.
Despite attempts to imitate us, GOHAR maintained its place because of its strong identity and consistent quality. And today, after 40 years, we still hold the same message:
“A story of every home.”

What core values have stayed with you since the beginning?
From day one, my father built the company on two non-negotiable values: quality and trust.
These weren’t slogans — they were everyday practices. We never compromise on quality, because customers associate the name GOHAR with durability and reliability.
The second value is credibility — with partners and customers alike. Our relationship with the market is long-term, and we’re proud that many of our current customers are the second and third generation of families who trusted GOHAR from the beginning.

How have your production lines evolved over the years?
The difference between where we started and where we are today is like moving from a small handcraft workshop to a smart modern factory.
In the 80s, production was mainly manual, which gave us great precision early on. As demand grew, we introduced locally made machines, and later advanced imported technologies.
Today, GOHAR uses highly accurate automated production lines and strict quality-control systems at every stage. And the evolution wasn’t only technical — it was mental. We shifted from thinking like a small factory to thinking like a leading industrial company.

How did you remain stable during economic crises?
Over the past 40 years, we faced many challenges — rising raw material prices, currency fluctuations, and market slowdowns.
We stayed stable through proactive planning. During currency crises, we secured enough raw materials to keep production and prices stable. During COVID-19, we operated with strict safety measures and supported our workers emotionally and financially.
We adapted gradually without cutting quality or reducing staff. We continued investing in production development and raw material diversification. This approach — backed by a strong internal culture — helped GOHAR come out of crises even stronger.

How did GOHAR maintain its market position despite competition?
In a crowded market, we chose a clear strategy: stand out, don’t imitate.
We know our customers and what they value. We don’t produce cheap items that need constant replacement. We create long-lasting, practical products that offer real value.
We focus on simple, functional designs with continuous updates. And we built a strong distribution network that ensures GOHAR products are available in major stores across the country.

What role do your retail partners play?
Our retail partners are true partners in success. Through collaboration with major chains and hypermarkets, we reached wider customer segments.

The partnership goes beyond product placement — it includes joint marketing plans and dedicated display spaces. We consider our retail partners an extension of our own team.
Do Egyptians trust local products more today?
Absolutely. There has been a major shift.
Today’s Egyptian consumer is more aware and more willing to trust local products when they offer real quality. In the past, many assumed imported products were always better. That has changed — and GOHAR helped change that mindset.
Customers choose GOHAR because they know the products last and prices are fair.

How do you keep up with changing tastes and needs?
We have a specialized team that studies the market regularly — analyzing consumer behavior, gathering feedback, and monitoring global design trends.
We continuously update product shapes, colors, and sizes to match lifestyle changes in Egyptian homes. We also design for all segments — young couples, large families, and everyone in between.
We want every Egyptian home to find something from GOHAR that fits their needs.

What role does technology play in strengthening GOHAR’s position?
Technology is a key pillar of our growth strategy.
We use advanced machinery and automated lines that follow global quality standards. This helps improve efficiency, reduce waste, and speed up production.
We combine human expertise with smart technology to deliver practical solutions that meet modern consumer needs. Our infrastructure is constantly upgraded to ensure sustainability, competitiveness, and readiness for future expansion.

Where does sustainability fit in GOHAR’s strategy?
Sustainability is now essential — it’s part of our manufacturing and management philosophy.
Success isn’t measured only by production volume, but also by how responsibly we operate. We’ve taken real steps: reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, using safe and recyclable materials, and developing more eco-friendly lines.
For us, sustainability is an investment in the future — our company’s future, our country’s resources, and our customers’ trust.

How important is innovation to GOHAR’s product development?
Innovation is the driving force behind any industry that wants to grow.
Every new GOHAR product must add real value. We develop lighter and stronger materials, modern designs, and practical solutions that fit today’s lifestyle.
Our design team follows global trends and adapts them for Egyptian homes. The goal isn’t just to produce a product — but to create a comfortable and practical user experience.

Are there plans to expand outside Egypt?
Absolutely. We see the Egyptian market as the beginning, not the end.
We’ve already studied several Arab and African markets to understand their needs and habits. Our expansion strategy focuses on gradual growth in countries with strong ties to Egypt — with a focus on quality, after-sales service, and strong distribution.
We aim to make GOHAR a recognized Egyptian brand across the region.

How do you support young people entering the industry?
We believe the future of industry begins with youth. For years, we’ve opened our factory doors to young people to gain real hands-on experience.
We don’t just look for workers — we look for minds, ideas, and creativity. Many of our current leaders started with us as young trainees.
We offer full training programs that develop technical skills and industrial thinking. We also provide job opportunities for youth starting at age 18. And we prioritize training and empowering women — because people, regardless of gender, are the true drivers of progress.

How is GOHAR preparing for the future of digital transformation and AI?
We know the next decade will look completely different. It’s no longer just about modern machines — it’s about a full smart ecosystem.
We’re building a digital database to analyze consumer behavior, improve production, and manage inventory intelligently. Our goal is to transform from a traditional factory into a digital industrial company that can compete across the region.

After 40 years of success… what’s next for GOHAR?
Our dream has never been limited to local success.
We want GOHAR to become a well-known regional brand in the Arab world and Africa — a model for any Egyptian company that starts small and rises through hard work and consistency.
We want consumers across the region to find GOHAR products on their favorite store shelves and instantly recognize them as Egyptian — with global quality. And we’re expanding into new production lines that match modern lifestyles and evolving needs.