Gulf Craft, the globally renowned yacht and boat manufacturer headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, has been honoured in the Manufacturing Category at the Emirates Labour Market Award 2025. The award, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, is organised annually by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). This year’s ceremony took place on 13 November in Abu Dhabi and celebrated organisations demonstrating excellence in elevating the UAE’s labour market practices.
This distinction represents the first time Gulf Craft has received recognition at this national-level award, which evaluates organisations across the Emirates on their employment standards, workforce wellbeing and innovative practices. Selected from nearly 1,800 companies across the UAE, the award marks a significant moment in the company’s four-decade journey of manufacturing excellence and investment in human capital development.
The Emirates Labour Market Award recognises organisations that excel in areas such as employment and empowerment, workplace environment and staff wellbeing, as well as innovation and readiness for the future. Gulf Craft has consistently performed strongly against these criteria, which include workforce planning, Emiratisation initiatives, skills development and training, diversity and inclusion, occupational safety and the adoption of new technologies to boost competitiveness.
Yousuf Alshaali, Office Manager of the Chairman, accepted the award on behalf of Gulf Craft at the Abu Dhabi ceremony, stating: “This recognition reflects the environment we create for our employees. We strive to be an employer of choice, and it is the dedication of our management board that ensures a supportive, positive, and forward-looking workplace for everyone at Gulf Craft, across corporate teams and on the factory floor. The award underscores our ongoing commitment to our workforce’s wellbeing, empowerment, cultural diversity and professional growth, which remain at the heart of our success.”
The company’s longstanding philosophy is deeply rooted in the vision of its Chairman, Mohammed Hussein Alshaali, who continually reminds the team: “Take care of your people, and your people will take care of you.”
As an Emirati-founded company, Gulf Craft’s recognition in the Manufacturing Category reflects core national values of craftsmanship, innovation and genuine care for its people. The award reinforces the company’s commitment to providing a safe, inclusive and forward-thinking workplace that fosters both individual development and organisational progress. It also mirrors the UAE’s wider vision of cultivating a world-class employment environment where talent, opportunity and knowledge work together to advance the nation’s future.