"How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver."

MANOJ ABRAHAM

I have more than 30 years of techno - commercial leadership within the Coatings & Construction Chemicals Industry in India, Arabian Gulf & North Africa. I am a AMPP Certified Protective Coatings Specialist. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and believe that we are born to help others. I love to mentor, coach & develop high performing teams in a multi-cultural environment.

Top skills

Business Strategy • Sustainability

Experience

30 Years Experience

Certificate

Protective Coatings Specialist

Language

English, Tamil, Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Arabic

30+

years of deep subject matter expertise

Experience

  • Hempel A/S Regional Manager - Intumescent Coatings
    Jan 2020 - Present
  • Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group LLC Sales Manager - Leighs, Kansai (ARF) & Dulux (Consumer)
    2007 - 2013
  • S3C - Saudi Conduit Coating Company Sales & Contracts Manager
    1998 - 2007
  • Fosroc Chemicals India Limited Specification Engineer
    1995 - 1998

AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

  • 2024 – My paper on Activated Zinc technology was adjudged the best paper in the Symposium CORCON 2024 conducted by AMPP India Chapter.
  • 2019 – Recognized as a global leadership talent in Hempel. Selected and completed the Explorer training program.
  • 2018 - Rewarded with double bonus for significant efforts made during the embargo period while working in Qatar.
  • 2017 - New product champion with highest global sales for the chemical resistant tank lining launched by Hempel.
  • 2016 - Globally commended for getting the single largest order for a intumescent coating product line in the company history.
  • 2012 - Selected by the Department of Economic Development, Government of Dubai as an assessor for Dubai Quality Awards.
  • 2005 – Received the management award for securing the single largest order in the company’s 20 year history.
  • 2004 – Received the management award for achieving a break through order for High Voltage Insulator coatings and successfully executing a major project with one of the largest power utilities in the world.
  • 2000 - Received management award for successfully introducing a new service and achieving substantial profitability while executing the contract.
  • 2000 - Was adjudged best trainee in Six Sigma methodology & my project was selected as a model for other trainees.
  • 1996 - Selected as the best trainee in Repair & rehabilitation of distressed Reinforced concrete structures conducted by M/s. FOSROC Chemicals.

TECHNICAL PAPER PRESENTATIONS & LECTURES

  • Presented a Technical paper on Specifying Protective Coatings in the face of Climate Change – A Middle Eastern Perspective in October 2025, at CORCON 2025 organised by AMPP, India.
  • In November 2024, lectured on Protecting Steel Structures from Corrosion and Fire in a changing world – A Middle East Perspective, at Institute of Strcutural Engineers UK, Dubai
  • Invited to the HBRC International Conference, held in Cario, Egypt to present a paper on The Adoption of Biomimicry in Sustainable Construction – Example from the Coating Industry in December 2024
  • Presented a paper on New Generation Activated Zinc Rich Epoxy Primer as an alternative to tradional Zinc Silicates at CORCON 2024 conference hosted by AMPP, India.
  • My presentation at The Institution of Structural Engineers was featured in the May 2024 edition of Protective Coatings News as shown in the link below.
  • In association with AMPP, Egpyt Chapter, I conducted a full day workshop on Corrosion and Fire Protection to consultants, steel fabricators and PFP applicators in February 2024.
  • Presented a paper on Durablity of Inutmescent Coating at the Gulf Steel Show helds in Dubai in February 2024.
  • In April 2023, I was invited as a guest speaker at the Philippines Coal Users Gorup conference in Manila. Made a prentation on Sustainable coating solutions for Coal Plant Maintenance.
  • In September 2022, presented a paper in CORCON 2022 - NACE (AMPP) conference held in India on “Learnings from in-service failures of acrylic intumescent coatings in the Middle East”.
  • Invited as a special speaker in November 2021 by Qatar University and Texas A&M University of Qatar in the Conference on Emerging and Enbaling Materials. The presentation was titled “Lessons learnt from a majot fire accident in the Middle East – A structural steel perspective”
  • Presented technical paper in AMPP virtual conference “FireCORR 2021” on the topic of Suitability Of Acrylic Intumescent Coating In Coastal Environment From A Durability Perspective in November 2021.
  • Conducted 4 Technical presentations in 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2020 at the local NACE chapter in Doha, Qatar, on topics such as activated zinc based coatings, tank linings, Coatings Under Insulation, Fire Protection, etc.
  • My paper on Activated Zinc based coatings was selected for presentation in NACE conference at St. Ptersberg, Russia in May 2019.
  • Presented a paper on Duarbility & Corrosion Protection of Acrylic based intumenscent coating at The NACE conference held at Mumbai in September 2019.
  • Invited by Vellore Institute of Technology (Deemed University), India for a lecture on “Corrosion & Fire Protection of Steel” in December 2018.
  • Presented a paper on Sustainability – A Holistic Business Appoach at the Qatar Green Building Council in October 2017.
  • Technical presentation on “Innovative Activated Zinc Rich Coatings for Protecting Assests in Saline Environment:” in the Forum for Material Technology in Qatar held at Texas A&M University in June 2016.