A.K. Al-Muhaidib & Sons group of companies began its life in the food products industry in 1959, marketing and distributing rice. Although this sector has remained the fastest-growing within the group, allowing the company to expand its portfolio to include other grains and eventually leading to the establishment of a retail outlet chain, Giant Stores (Now merged with Panda). The group’s other main interest, building materials, has thrived along with Saudi Arabia’s economic and industrial development.