He Grew Up as a Shepherd in the Desert — Then Built a Global Company

Mohed Altrad grew up in the Syrian desert in a Bedouin family with very little money. He was orphaned at a young age, and even getting an education was a struggle.

As a child, he was initially denied the opportunity to attend school. But Altrad wanted to learn, so he began teaching himself to read and eventually found his way into a classroom.

Decades later, he would become the founder of an international business employing more than 64,000 people across 51 countries.

His First Challenge Was Getting an Education

Altrad’s early childhood was spent in conditions far removed from the opportunities he would eventually find in Europe. His family lived a nomadic life, and formal education wasn’t readily available to him.

He was determined to change that. After teaching himself basic reading skills, he managed to enter school and continued his education in Raqqa, Syria.

He proved to be an excellent student. At just 17, he earned his baccalaureate, an academic qualification that opened the door to further study.

His performance helped him secure a scholarship to France, where he studied mathematics, physics and computer science. He eventually earned a doctorate in computer science.

The move meant adapting to an unfamiliar country, language and culture. But it also gave him opportunities that would have been almost impossible to imagine during his childhood.

From Student to Engineer

After completing his education, Altrad began working in technology and engineering. He joined Alcatel and later worked for Thomson, gaining experience with major French industrial companies.

He also spent several years working for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. By then, he had built a successful professional career.

He had advanced technical qualifications, international experience and the kind of employment opportunities that could have provided financial security for the rest of his working life. But Altrad wanted to start a business of his own.

After returning to France, he and a partner established a computer company. The venture was eventually sold to Matra, giving him the money to pursue another opportunity.

What he bought next had almost nothing to do with computers.

He Bought a Small Scaffolding Company

In 1985, Altrad purchased Mefran, a small manufacturer of scaffolding equipment in the Hérault region of southern France. It was an unusual move for someone trained in computer science. Mefran made equipment used by construction workers, a very different business from the technology companies where he’d spent much of his career.

Altrad believed the company had room to grow. He began improving its operations and looking for opportunities to expand beyond its existing customers.

Rather than relying on a single factory, he gradually purchased other businesses that could add products, expertise and new markets. The company expanded through France and into other European countries.

Each acquisition gave it access to more customers and new areas of industrial work. Over time, the small scaffolding manufacturer became the foundation of Altrad Group.

The Business Expanded Around the World

In 2006, Altrad made a major move into industrial services by acquiring Balliauw. The purchase helped the company expand beyond manufacturing equipment into work supporting large industrial facilities.

More acquisitions followed. Between 2015 and 2017, Altrad purchased Hertel, Prezioso Linjebygg and Cape plc, three substantial industrial-services businesses.

According to the company, those deals helped more than triple its size in less than two years. Altrad continued expanding into new countries and industries.

In 2021 alone, the group acquired 11 companies representing approximately €1.7 billion in additional revenue. By fiscal 2025, the figures were enormous.

Altrad Group reported annual revenue of €5.942 billion, with 64,498 employees working across 51 countries. Industrial services accounted for more than 85 percent of its revenue.

The company had operations throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Pacific. What began with a small manufacturer in southern France had become an international supplier of industrial services and equipment.

A Global Award and a Life Beyond Business

In 2015, Altrad received the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year award, becoming the first French winner of the international competition. The recognition came thirty years after he’d purchased Mefran. His company had grown through acquisitions, expansion and the development of new industrial services.

Altrad also pursued interests outside the business world. He wrote novels and essays, became president of Montpellier’s rugby club and spoke publicly about education, identity and overcoming exclusion.

Despite the company’s growth, he remained closely involved in its leadership. A February 2026 report from S&P said Altrad controlled 96.95 percent of the group’s voting rights through holding companies.

More than forty years after buying that small scaffolding manufacturer, he was still chairman of the business he’d built.

And the company carrying his name was operating in 51 countries.