Desert Group was formed in 1988 and had humble origins around gardening. That’s where it all began. However, with changing times the group has now repositioned itself as a lifestyle company. Each project done by them has been unique over the years. Given that the brand is known as one of the most reliable companies that get the job done, most of the difficult projects have been awarded to them. Some of the recent projects include the iconic Etihad Museum, the Dubai Hills Golf Course, The Bluewaters project off the coast etc. Their promise is that “we will provide simple solutions to complex issues and thus have our customers come back to us time and again. We live up to that promise“.
Desert Group has a strong presence in all the Emirates within the UAE. Besides that, they have now expanded to other GCC Countries that include Oman, Qatar and Bahrain. The company’s mission is to play a dominant role in the region and beyond and take their solutions global.
Mr. Michael Mascarenhas the CEO of Desert Group says “In my opinion it’s the ability to foray into the unknown, that has helped forge its path into a formidable force in the region“.
He joined the group in late 2012 and admits that it has been an exciting 4 years since. Over these years he has seen the Group evolve into one of the most innovative groups around water and living green. A true lifestyle organization centered around nature and sustainability. He mentions there is always a continuing challenge to find the right people in this specific industry. Yet given the exciting environment that exists they feel that, commitment and passion comes naturally to all their team members. The team is driven and would like to make a difference, daily!
Desert Group vision is to enhance people’s lives with their business centered, round living green and water, moving towards biophilia. They work with a dynamic and vibrant business value system that includes Employee Engagement, Profitability, Innovation and Customer Focus. The company’s role at the leadership level is to create the environment to help talent and capability thrive. They tend to remain grounded and make known at all times that every member is equal.
The brands lifestyle solutions cut across many customer segments– the Commercial and retail, the designers and consultants, the individual and the family – they have a range of products, services and solutions which are unique and un-comparable. The Groups services has grown from landscaping to horticulture and to a lifestyle company – almost amoeba like, they evolve and grow! Besides the Dubai Garden Center, they sell a pesticide free lettuce grown hydroponically under the brand name Kothra. The company has the largest plant nurseries in the region that includes aquatic plants to ornamentals. Projects undertaken include building infinity pools and animal pools as well. Other ventures that the company undertakes are maintenance of residential and commercial properties, manufacture soil specific fertilizers, pesticides and soil formulations, as well as building and maintenance of golf courses and they do much more. The company & brand is one of the largest concentrically diversified conglomerates around living green and water.
Mr. Michael Mascarenhas says “The team! We have a highly innovative and committed workforce that believes in the company and themselves. All of us want to make a difference. We also have a great entrepreneurial spirit in the company and that brings excitement and innovation“.
Desert Group has re positioned itself to enhancing the lives of people and thus its solutions are focused on impacting people and their lifestyles in a more meaningful way. Their present and future products and services include initiatives on soil contamination and toxicity, water conservation through design of water wise, Reduction of water use in landscapes through new technologies, Bio-filtering of wastes, Creating and enhancing ecosystems that encourage wildlife habitats, use of recycled products, soil management techniques, composting etc. These new ways will have a positive impact on our lifestyle.
Desert Group is now at the forefront of innovation and has the capability to capture the future into what is today’s business model. He says we do not worry about the competition not out of disrespect but out of respect to our own expectations. The brands mission is to enhance the lives of people and they promise to deliver solutions to customers that are trend setting, unique and at the same time with a social conscience. The groups big technology development is to bring to the customer the plants of the region, some of which include species – the names of which are still not known. He concludes saying this volume of knowledge will transform people’s views of Native Plants and how they could meet the goals around sustainability
