Our story

Haron had identified an opportunity to export fabrics from Italy’s design and fashion capital to territories overseas, and in 1921 he founded the United Textile Export Corporation (Utec).

Initially, Haron exported textiles to his younger brother in Iraq who distributed them to buyers in the Middle East. As time progressed Haron and Utec became recognised for knowing where to find quality Italian textiles at the best prices for clients in a wide range of overseas territories.

In the mid-1950s, Haron was introduced to the sole furniture importer in the country of Kuwait and started to source and export large volumes of Italian furniture to Kuwait. Tapping into his already extensive existing network of design contacts established through Utec’s textile export business, Haron grew his knowledge of the furniture market and within a few years Utec was exporting to other furniture importers and private clients worldwide.

Haron was certainly not the first Italian to take advantage of the Silk Road, nonetheless his entrepreneurial spirit, personal approach and extensive knowledge of the Italian textile and furniture market quickly established a reputation for Utec as a trusted sourcing advisor for the best of Italian design.

Haron’s hands-on management style and entrepreneurial approach still runs strongly through Utec today and the expertise gathered over many decades by the Shamash family has enabled Utec 1921 to offer a unique service to those looking for the best of Italian design and quality at competitive prices.