ELIE SALAME AND HIS JOURNEY
Dr. Elie Salame is a seasoned business leader with over four decades of experience spanning corporate leadership, academia, and consultancy within the building materials and coatings industry. His professional journey reflects a rare blend of academic rigor and practical execution, positioning him as a bridge between theory and real-world business leadership. Alongside delivering university lectures and management training programs, he has held senior executive roles across the GCC and wider MENA region, managing complex markets and multicultural teams with strategic clarity
His career took on an international dimension in the early 1990s when he assumed the role of Sales and Marketing Director at Hempel Paints, overseeing operations across Kuwait, Qatar, and the Levant countries. He subsequently moved to another multinational organization, where he served as Regional Manager from 2000 to 2010, managing key markets including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen, Sudan, and the wider Levant region. He later concluded his corporate journey in senior export management roles across the Middle East and Africa until 2018.
In 2019, driven by entrepreneurial vision and decades of regional expertise, Dr. Salame founded ELDECO BM, a Lebanese company specializing in waterproofing solutions and façade coatings, marking a strategic transition from corporate leadership to business ownership.
WHAT INSPIRED HIM TO PURSUE A CAREER IN THE PAINTS AND COATINGS INDUSTRY
Dr. Salame’s motivation has consistently been rooted in achievement, innovation, and the ability to translate business ideas into measurable outcomes. The paints and coatings industry offered him a dynamic platform where technical understanding, strategic planning, and market adaptability were equally critical. Over the years, he successfully exceeded targets in highly competitive and diverse markets, reinforcing his belief in disciplined execution supported by long-term vision.
The industry also allowed him to engage deeply with stakeholders across the value chain, from consultants and contractors to applicators and end-users. This interaction shaped his understanding of how products influence not only infrastructure and aesthetics but also health, safety, and environmental responsibility. These insights ultimately inspired him to establish ELDECO BM, where he could apply his experience to develop solutions that combine performance, sustainability, and ethical responsibility.
STRATEGIC MARKET EXPANSION AND GLOBAL BRAND LEADERSHIP
Among Dr. Salame’s most notable achievements is his role in introducing, expanding, and strengthening several international paint brands across markets such as Kuwait, Bahrain, Sudan, Yemen, Iraq, and the Levant countries. Through strategic planning and consistent execution, he helped build robust distribution networks, expand market reach, and significantly enhance brand visibility across regions with diverse regulatory, cultural, and economic landscapes.
One of his standout accomplishments involved restructuring traditional distribution models to improve market penetration. By shifting from limited dealership models to broader retail distribution, he was able to increase points of sale and achieve substantial market share growth. These strategic decisions demonstrated his ability to challenge conventional thinking while delivering tangible results.
In recognition of his leadership, Dr. Salame was honoured as one of the Top 10 Corporate Leaders in Asia 2024. This accolade stands as a testament not only to his personal journey but also to the collective efforts of the teams, colleagues, and partners who have worked alongside him over the years. He views this recognition as validation of purpose-driven leadership rather than individual success.
TURNING MARKET CHALLENGES INTO LEADERSHIP LESSONS
One of the most formative challenges in Dr. Salame’s career arose during his first international assignment in Kuwait. The market dynamics differed significantly from those he had previously encountered in Lebanon. Contractors, painters, and end-users displayed distinct buying behaviors, while consultants played a far more influential role in product selection and specification. Traditional sales-driven approaches proved insufficient in such an environment.
Recognizing this early, Dr. Salame adopted an education-centric strategy. He introduced structured training programs for painters, organized workshops for contractors, and conducted technical seminars for consultants. This approach helped bridge knowledge gaps, build trust, and foster long-term relationships across stakeholder groups. What initially appeared to be a challenging transition ultimately became a defining learning experience that shaped his leadership philosophy. It reinforced his belief that sustainable success lies in engagement, credibility, and shared value creation.
A VISION ROOTED IN SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
Dr. Salame firmly believes that true innovation extends beyond developing better products; it lies in creating responsible and lasting impact. This philosophy has shaped his vision for ELDECO BM, with a strong emphasis on eco-friendly solutions such as low-VOC and water-based coatings that prioritize health, safety, and environmental sustainability without compromising performance.
He views sustainability not as a market trend but as an ethical responsibility. According to him, paints influence living environments in profound ways, affecting both human well-being and ecological balance. His long-term vision involves driving innovation that delivers durability and quality while remaining mindful of environmental impact. He also anticipates greater integration of advanced technologies in product development, allowing the industry to adapt intelligently to evolving environmental and market demands.
LOOKING FORWARD TO ACCOMPLISHING IN 2026
At this stage of his journey, Dr. Salame’s focus has expanded beyond professional growth to meaningful contribution. He is currently working on completing his fourth book on finance for non-financial managers, building on his earlier publications on project planning and management control. These works reflect his commitment to simplifying complex business concepts for broader understanding.
In addition, he aims to establish a local library where university students can access educational resources free of cost. This initiative reflects his belief that knowledge should be shared and accessible, particularly to young professionals preparing to enter the business world. For Dr. Salame, success is incomplete unless it contributes to the growth and empowerment of others.
SALAME MESSAGE TO READERS
Dr. Salame emphasizes leadership rooted in delegation, empowerment, and collaboration. He strongly advocates cultivating an owner’s mentality within teams, encouraging accountability, trust, and shared responsibility. His journey illustrates that sustainable success is rarely achieved alone; it is the outcome of collective effort guided by vision, integrity, and purpose. He hopes his experiences inspire emerging leaders to lead with responsibility, adaptability, and a long-term perspective.
