Chamber vice-president expands business premises
Midland businessman Nasir Awan was yesterday celebrating his 64th birthday in style - with the official opening of a £500,000 investment in the family wholesale firm.
The vice-president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) marked his birthday by launching a new extension at Awan Marketing, now operating from a 65,000 sq ft distribution centre in Hockley, at an official ceremony attended by dozens of suppliers, customers and friends.
The official opening marked the conclusion of four months of work providing an extra 20,000 sq ft capacity, adding up to 10,000 more products for the Hockley complex.
Nasir said: “I didn 't realize that it was my birthday until after we had set the date. When you get to my age, you tend to forget these things. My two sons Adam and Salman decided on the date, they now run 80 per cent of the operational side of the business.
“We have done smaller extensions before, but this is the biggest investment for some time. It has taken four months and been quite a challenge but fortunately we were able to carry on trading.
“We have added another 8,000 to 10,000 more products, including party and gift products, personal care, toiletries, stationery and houseware. We have also expanded into home textiles - towels, bedding, duvets and pillowcases. ”
Spurred on by his father Bashir - who emigrated to Birmingham from Pakistan in 1961 to build a better life for his family of six children - Nasir 's business career began in his late teens, helping his father run a small shop in Small Heath, selling radios, cassettes and other electronic goods.
Awan Marketing was first established in 1976 by Bashir and grew into one of the largest importers, exporters, distributors and wholesalers in the UK while becoming a key distributor for the likes of Hitachi, Sharp, JVC, LG, Daewoo, BT, Kenwood and many others.
Away from the business, Nasir has been involved with a string of charitable and voluntary organisations, including the Inspire Education Academy at Yew Tree School, Aston, the Euro Charity Trust, Birmingham Ethnic Education Services and Sutton Coldfield Muslim Association.
He was awarded an MBE for services to business and international trade in 2016, was made Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands in 2017 and is a former President of the Institute of Asian Businesses, later renamed the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce.
Now Nasir is looking forward to taking the reins as President of the GBCC when current incumbent Deb Leary steps down next year.