Latest news with #Suleman
Syyaha
07-07-2025
- Business
- Syyaha
Shadi Suleman appointed Regional Vice President and General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 7th July 2025 – Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre announces the appointment of Shadi Suleman as Regional Vice President and General Manager, effective July 2025. This new chapter marks a meaningful return to Riyadh for Suleman, where his remarkable 23 years journey with Four Seasons first began in 2002. With a distinguished career spanning Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, Suleman brings unparalleled operational expertise, deep regional knowledge, and a strong passion for exceptional service. Throughout his journey, he has played an instrumental role in shaping the guest experience at properties including Four Seasons Hotel Doha, Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus, Four Seasons Hotel Damascus and Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Tower. Under his leadership, Four Seasons Hotel Doha received major industry recognition including #1 Hotel in the Middle East and #5 in the World in the 2022 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards. The hotel earned consecutive Forbes Five-Star ratings (2024–2025), a Five-Star award for its Spa in 2025, and Michelin Guide recognition for Nobu and Curiosa by Jean Georges. In his expanded role, Suleman will be pivotal in advancing Four Seasons strategic growth across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Alongside leading Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Tower, he will maintain oversight of operations at both Four Seasons Hotels in Qatar. A graduate of Damascus University with a bachelor's degree in business administration and hospitality management, Suleman is recognized for his people-first leadership style and comprehensive understanding of the hospitality landscape in the GCC and the wider Middle East. 'What matters most to me is building genuine connections with our guests and fostering a team culture that inspires the same level of care and engagement.' Suleman said. 'It's a true privilege to return to Riyadh in this new capacity. I'm honored to lead such an iconic property and contribute to Four Seasons continued expansion in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom's hospitality landscape is evolving at an incredible pace, and I look forward to working with our outstanding teams to deliver the legendary Four Seasons experience'. Suleman added. Strategically located in the iconic Kingdom Tower, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh offers an ideal setting for today's bleisure travelers—professionals who combine business with leisure. With direct access to Kingdom Mall and proximity to Riyadh's commercial hubs, the hotel offers a perfect setting for guests to balance meetings and downtime. Under Suleman's leadership, the property will further elevate this experience with tailored services and amenities. Guests can unwind in luxurious accommodations and enjoy world-class wellness facilities, including an outdoor pool, modern gym, and tranquil spa with signature treatments. Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre also offers a dynamic culinary scene that complements its luxury accommodations and wellness experiences. Guests can enjoy refined French cuisine at Café Boulud, exquisite pastries by Pierre Hermé, and signature cocktails in the elegant Tonic Bar. Under Suleman's leadership, these venues will continue to embody the Hotel's commitment to culinary excellence, appealing to both local gourmets and international travelers.
New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Rare earth magnet users jolted into paying premium prices for ex-China supply
FOR years, Rahim Suleman had reached out repeatedly to carmakers and other potential clients to market the rare earth magnets from the plant his company was building in Estonia, one of just a handful outside dominant producer China. But after April 4, when Beijing imposed new restrictions on the super-strong magnets used in electric vehicles (EVs) and wind turbines, Suleman retired his sales pitch. He didn't need it any more. Ever since China's export controls tightened some rare earth exports to a trickle in the midst of a trade war with the United States, causing chaos in supply chains and some auto plant shutdowns, "the phone is ringing off the hook", said Suleman. Companies starting new plants in Europe, the US and Asia had previously reported difficult talks on deals that embedded the higher costs to make magnets outside China, which benefits from cheaper labour costs and economies of scale as well as government support via tax refunds. But the crisis has led many customers to soften or drop objections about paying those premiums as they scramble to hammer out deals, according to a dozen industry participants, including carmakers, magnet makers, rare earth producers, consultants and government officials interviewed by Reuters. While rare earths magnets from China are flowing again, customers remain on edge about the threat of future shortages. Suleman's company, Neo Performance Materials, launched output of permanent magnets at its Estonia plant in May. Now, he said, "everybody wants to talk about how (they can) satisfy their demand out of our facility". He said he had no worries about lining up enough customers who would pay a premium — US$10 to US$30 per kg, with EVs typically holding 2kg to 4kg of magnets per vehicle — over the price they usually pay for Chinese magnets. Output at Neo's factory in Estonia is starting small, providing samples to its first customer, which Suleman declined to identify. German auto parts supplier Schaeffler said it was a customer of the plant, but declined to comment on how much it is paying. In South Korea, customers of NovaTech, which produced magnets in China, were prepared to pay 15 to 20 per cent more for magnets made in Vietnam, said a company source, adding that there was "a growing sense of crisis among customers". The company, which sells China-made magnets used in Samsung's phones and tablets, is investing at least 10 billion won in a plant in Vietnam launching early next year to make magnets using locally processed rare earths from a partner, said the person and another company official. Britain's Less Common Metals (LCM), one of the few firms outside China involved in a key step of rare earths processing — making rare earth metals and alloys — says it is battling to cope with new enquiries. "Now, post-April 4, it's like someone stuck a cattle prod into the whole industry," said Grant Smith, its chairman. He said LCM had held discussions with numerous companies that used magnets as they sought alternative supply sources, though he declined to name them. Despite the new willingness to pay a premium, it would take many years or even decades to build up production outside of China, which accounted for 90 per cent of global permanent magnet supply, said industry participants. And the question of how much more should be paid for rare earths and magnets outside of China is a tricky one. Too high a premium for mined rare earths could see consumers cutting down their use, while premiums that are too low would not be enough to allow construction of ex-China projects, say analysts and consultants. Carmakers are willing to pay more to guarantee ex-China supplies, but they are also in the midst of an EV price war that has left them with thin margins. One executive at a rare earths company said the firm had held discussions with carmakers that were prepared to pay US$80 per kg for neodymium-praseodymium oxide, a rare earth needed for magnets used in motors and generators — a figure Reuters has not independently verified. That is already a significant — near 30 per cent — premium over the Chinese price of US$62 based on data from price reporting agency Fastmarkets.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Rare earth magnet users jolted into paying premium prices for ex-China supply
For years, Rahim Suleman had reached out repeatedly to automakers and other potential clients to market the rare earth magnets from the plant his company was building in Estonia, one of just a handful outside dominant producer China . But after April 4, when Beijing imposed new restrictions on the super-strong magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines, Suleman retired his sales pitch. He didn't need it any more. Ever since China's export controls tightened some rare earth exports to a trickle in the midst of a trade war with the U.S., causing chaos in supply chains and some auto plant shutdowns, "the phone is ringing off the hook", said Suleman. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 'Ich hätte nie gedacht, wie viel da rauskommt' – Der Ohrenreiniger ist zurück! Apotheke Regional Undo Companies starting new plants in Europe, the U.S. and Asia had previously reported difficult talks on deals that embedded the higher costs to make magnets outside China, which benefits from cheaper labour costs and economies of scale as well as government support via tax refunds. But the crisis has led many customers to soften or drop objections about paying those premiums as they scramble to hammer out deals, according to a dozen industry participants including automakers, magnet makers, rare earth producers, consultants and government officials interviewed by Reuters. Live Events While rare earths magnets from China are beginning to flow again, customers remain on edge about the threat of future shortages. Suleman's company, Neo Performance Materials , launched output of permanent magnets at its Estonia plant in May. Now, he said, "everybody wants to talk about how (they can) satisfy their demand out of our facility". He said he has no worries about lining up enough customers who will pay a premium - $10 to $30 per kg, with EVs typically holding 2-4 kg of magnets per vehicle - over the price they usually pay for Chinese magnets. Output at Neo's factory in Estonia is starting small, providing samples to its first customer, which Suleman declined to identify. German auto parts supplier Schaeffler told Reuters it is a customer of the plant, but declined to comment on how much it is paying. In Korea, customers of NovaTech , which produces magnets in China, are prepared to pay 15% to 20% more for magnets made in Vietnam, a company source told Reuters, adding there was "a growing sense of crisis among customers". The company, which sells China-made magnets used in Samsung 's phones and tablets, is investing at least 10 billion won ($7.39 million) in a plant in Vietnam launching early next year to make magnets using locally processed rare earths from a partner, the person and another company official told Reuters. Britain's Less Common Metals, one of the few firms outside China involved in a key step of rare earths processing - making rare earth metals and alloys - says it is battling to cope with new enquiries. "Now, post-April 4, it's like someone stuck a cattle prod into the whole industry," said Grant Smith, its majority owner and chairman. He said LCM has held discussions with numerous companies that use magnets as they seek alternative supply sources, though he declined to name them. The firm now has plans to expand into France and other countries. A FINE BALANCE Despite the new willingness to pay a premium, it will take many years or even decades to build up production outside of China, which accounts for 90% of global permanent magnet supply, industry participants said. And the question of how much more should be paid for rare earths and magnets outside of China is a tricky one. Too high a premium for mined rare earths could see consumers cutting down their use, while premiums that are too low would not be enough to allow for construction of ex-China projects, analysts and consultants say. Automakers are willing to pay more to guarantee ex-China supplies, but they are also in the midst of an EV price war that has left them with razor-thin margins, and will still be queasy at what they regard as excessive premiums, according to industry participants. One executive at a rare earths company said their firm has held discussions with automakers that are prepared to pay $80 per kg for neodymium-praseodymium oxide (NdPr), a rare earth needed for magnets used in motors and generators - a figure Reuters has not independently verified. That is already a significant - near 30% - premium over the Chinese price of $62 based on data from price reporting agency Fastmarkets. "The purchasing departments have it in their DNA to save each cent or fraction of a cent, but things are changing," said the executive, who declined to be identified because he is not authorised to speak to the media. "They're realising they're losing more by having to close a plant for a month than paying a premium to guarantee supplies." Critical minerals consultancy Project Blue says that for NdPr, a price of $75 to $105 per kg is needed to support enough production to meet demand. Australia's Barrenjoey goes further, saying NdPr prices need to be $120 to $180 per kg to fund a substantial wave of production that would encompass around 20 global mining projects. One executive at a European automaker said his industry could not afford to pay excessive premiums. His company has agreed deals for other critical minerals at a 5% to 10% premium, based on certification they are produced sustainably, he said. His company sold cars globally, he said, and could not make a profit if it had to pay a high premium for all the raw materials produced outside of China. Some automakers, such as BMW , have developed EVs that do not use rare earths, while others have reduced the amount of rare earths in their vehicles. However, getting rid of rare earths is not feasible in the medium term, analysts say. Neo's Suleman said everyone in the industry had to work together to create a supply of rare earths outside China. "I don't think that we're looking at this and saying the floodgates are open, let's just charge whatever we want, we need to be responsible," he said. "Customers understand there is a premium that is required, but if that premium gets too big, we're looking at demand destruction."
Reuters
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
Insight: Rare earth magnet users jolted into paying premium prices for ex-China supply
LONDON/SEOUL, July 1 (Reuters) - For years, Rahim Suleman had reached out repeatedly to automakers and other potential clients to market the rare earth magnets from the plant his company was building in Estonia, one of just a handful outside dominant producer China. But after April 4, when Beijing imposed new restrictions on the super-strong magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines, Suleman retired his sales pitch. He didn't need it any more. Ever since China's export controls tightened some rare earth exports to a trickle in the midst of a trade war with the U.S., causing chaos in supply chains and some auto plant shutdowns, "the phone is ringing off the hook", said Suleman. Companies starting new plants in Europe, the U.S. and Asia had previously reported difficult talks on deals that embedded the higher costs to make magnets outside China, which benefits from cheaper labour costs and economies of scale as well as government support via tax refunds. But the crisis has led many customers to soften or drop objections about paying those premiums as they scramble to hammer out deals, according to a dozen industry participants including automakers, magnet makers, rare earth producers, consultants and government officials interviewed by Reuters. While rare earths magnets from China are beginning to flow again, customers remain on edge about the threat of future shortages. Suleman's company, Neo Performance Materials ( opens new tab, launched output of permanent magnets at its Estonia plant in May. Now, he said, "everybody wants to talk about how (they can) satisfy their demand out of our facility". He said he has no worries about lining up enough customers who will pay a premium - $10 to $30 per kg, with EVs typically holding 2-4 kg of magnets per vehicle - over the price they usually pay for Chinese magnets. Output at Neo's factory in Estonia is starting small, providing samples to its first customer, which Suleman declined to identify. German auto parts supplier Schaeffler ( opens new tab told Reuters it is a customer of the plant, but declined to comment on how much it is paying. In Korea, customers of NovaTech ( opens new tab, which produces magnets in China, are prepared to pay 15% to 20% more for magnets made in Vietnam, a company source told Reuters, adding there was "a growing sense of crisis among customers". The company, which sells China-made magnets used in Samsung's phones and tablets, is investing at least 10 billion won ($7.39 million) in a plant in Vietnam launching early next year to make magnets using locally processed rare earths from a partner, the person and another company official told Reuters. Britain's Less Common Metals, one of the few firms outside China involved in a key step of rare earths processing - making rare earth metals and alloys - says it is battling to cope with new enquiries. "Now, post-April 4, it's like someone stuck a cattle prod into the whole industry," said Grant Smith, its majority owner and chairman. He said LCM has held discussions with numerous companies that use magnets as they seek alternative supply sources, though he declined to name them. The firm now has plans to expand into France and other countries. Despite the new willingness to pay a premium, it will take many years or even decades to build up production outside of China, which accounts for 90% of global permanent magnet supply, industry participants said. And the question of how much more should be paid for rare earths and magnets outside of China is a tricky one. Too high a premium for mined rare earths could see consumers cutting down their use, while premiums that are too low would not be enough to allow for construction of ex-China projects, analysts and consultants say. Automakers are willing to pay more to guarantee ex-China supplies, but they are also in the midst of an EV price war that has left them with razor-thin margins, and will still be queasy at what they regard as excessive premiums, according to industry participants. One executive at a rare earths company said their firm has held discussions with automakers that are prepared to pay $80 per kg for neodymium-praseodymium oxide (NdPr), a rare earth needed for magnets used in motors and generators - a figure Reuters has not independently verified. That is already a significant - near 30% - premium over the Chinese price of $62 based on data from price reporting agency Fastmarkets. "The purchasing departments have it in their DNA to save each cent or fraction of a cent, but things are changing," said the executive, who declined to be identified because he is not authorised to speak to the media. "They're realising they're losing more by having to close a plant for a month than paying a premium to guarantee supplies.' Critical minerals consultancy Project Blue says that for NdPr, a price of $75 to $105 per kg is needed to support enough production to meet demand. Australia's Barrenjoey goes further, saying NdPr prices need to be $120 to $180 per kg to fund a substantial wave of production that would encompass around 20 global mining projects. One executive at a European automaker said his industry could not afford to pay excessive premiums. His company has agreed deals for other critical minerals at a 5% to 10% premium, based on certification they are produced sustainably, he said. His company sold cars globally, he said, and could not make a profit if it had to pay a high premium for all the raw materials produced outside of China. Some automakers, such as BMW ( opens new tab, have developed EVs that do not use rare earths, while others have reduced the amount of rare earths in their vehicles. However, getting rid of rare earths is not feasible in the medium term, analysts say. Neo's Suleman said everyone in the industry had to work together to create a supply of rare earths outside China. "I don't think that we're looking at this and saying the floodgates are open, let's just charge whatever we want, we need to be responsible," he said. "Customers understand there is a premium that is required, but if that premium gets too big, we're looking at demand destruction." ($1 = 1,353.6800 won)
News18
24-06-2025
- News18
From Abbottabad Via Muzaffarabad: What Route Did Pahalgam Terrorists Take To Reach Attack Site?
The NIA investigation has confirmed that the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam massacre were of Pakistani origin. Central agencies are now working to determine the probable route these terrorists took before reaching the attack site. According to sources, terrorists were highly trained and may have been involved in multiple attacks, including the Spiner attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. Their training reportedly included advanced combat skills, concealment techniques, and survival tactics. A source said there is credible information suggesting a specific route starting from Abbottabad, a city known for hosting multiple academies of the Pakistani armed forces. From there, they are believed to have moved to Muzaffarabad before infiltrating India, possibly via the Poonch-Rajouri route. Various intelligence agencies have reported this route. The sources said these terrorists might have been in the region for an extended period and could have been involved in other attacks alongside different terror groups. The NIA is now examining their potential links to previous incidents, including those that occurred last year. However, the exact timeline of their entry into Indian territory has not yet been established. Agencies are analysing digital footprints to track the terrorists' movements, an approach that has yielded critical leads in the past. Investigators believe the group stayed at multiple locations across Jammu. 'Suleman, a Pakistani national, was involved in the attack. Central agencies have traced a group's movement through digital footprints in the past, and they are using a specialised communications system that is difficult to intercept," a senior official involved in the investigation told News18 on the condition of anonymity. The official said while road routes are longer, the distance can be reduced by 60 to 70 per cent through hilly terrain. The NIA is also investigating the role of local collaborators, who may have assisted the terrorists during their journey by providing logistical support, helping them flee, or aiding in the concealment of weapons. The agency has gathered substantial evidence regarding the identities of the terrorists. This includes eyewitness accounts from victims, video footage, technical evidence, and sketches released by the Jammu and Kashmir police. All this evidence is being carefully analysed, and the NIA has not yet reached any conclusions. On Sunday (June 22), the NIA arrested two local men who allegedly helped the terrorists. 'In a major breakthrough in the Pahalgam terror attack case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two men for harbouring the terrorists who carried out the horrendous attack that killed 26 innocent tourists and grievously injured 16 others," the NIA said. The two men, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote, Pahalgam, and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, Pahalgam, disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack and confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated with the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). 'Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three-armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack," the NIA said. 'The two men provided food, shelter, and logistical support to the terrorists, who, on the fateful afternoon, selectively killed the tourists based on their religious identity, making it one of the most gruesome terrorist attacks ever."
