A collaborative research project between New York University Abu Dhabi and Tharawat Family Business Forum

Spotlight

Gandour

Information last updated on 21 February 2023

Snapshot

Founding

Family Name:

Gandour

Founder’s Name:

Mohamed Gandour[2]

Earliest Documented Business Name:

Gandour Chocolate and Biscuits [1]

Founding Year:

1857[3]

Founding Location:

Beirut, Lebanon[4]

Today

Current Operating Status:

Operating

Family Business Name:

Gandour

Headquarters Location:

Lebanon and Saudi Arabia

Key Industries:

Food processing

Number of Employees:

Unclear

FOUNDING STORY

The Gandour story dates back to 1857, when Mohamed Gandour set up a sweets store in the city of Beirut. The store initially specialized in sweet lokum, hard candies, and marzipan products,[5] which were handmade on site.[6] The store was located in souk Abou el-Nasr,[7] in the area that later became Beirut’s city center.[8] The novelty of the products offered by Mohamed’s shop led to its local success, and he was able to gradually diversify its inventory.[9]

 

In 1912, demand exceeded the store’s capacity, so Mohamed went on to establish a factory, which was recognized as one of the most advanced food manufacturing facilities in Lebanon at the time.[10] Throughout the 1920s, Mohamed steadily expanded his business lines beyond confectionery to encompass other foodstuff categories such as flour and pasta, along with items that gave his shop its new name: Gandour Chocolate and Biscuits.[11]

GROWTH PHASE

In the 1930s, the founder’s brother Rafic Gandour Sr. joined the business and introduced wafer products, which became a core product line for the business for decades to come.[12] In 1935, the family business established a new factory in Lebanon to meeting the surging demand for their products.[13]

 

The 1940s was a key decade in the history of Gandour’s operations. As its products became increasingly recognized both locally and abroad, the business updated its branding and logo.[14] In 1945, it expanded its production capacity with a new manufacturing unit.[15]

 

In the early 1950s, the brothers’ fascination with modern technology inspired them to pursue advances in chocolate production machinery that made them a national leader in the chocolate industry.[16] In 1956, the business embarked on its first geographical expansion beyond Lebanon;[17] its entry into the Saudi Arabian market would prove to be a strategic success. Following the discovery of oil in the country almost two decades prior, the country was on the threshold of an era of economic prosperity, and Gandour managed to situate themselves as pioneers in the emerging Saudi market. Beginning in 1958, Rafic Gandour introduced a series of products that would become iconic: Gandour Gum, Tarboosh, Unica, and Lucky 555.[18]

 

In 1960, Gandour launched a new business line that would go on to bring major returns: cooking oils.[19] In 1970 Gandour built yet another manufacturing facility in Beirut — the Choueifat plant,[20] their biggest to date, provided employment for 1,000 people.[21]

 

Following the onset of civil war in Lebanon, Gandour’s business managed to survive for over a decade despite the enormous challenges.[22] [23] When, in the early 1980s, Gandour’s factory in Beirut was almost destroyed, family began to consider relocating.[24] [25] By 1985, Ali Gandour had joined the family business, with a vision of internationalizing it. The company established two factories in Saudi Arabia, in 1986 and 1989.[26] By the late 1980s, the Gandour business had adopted Saudi Arabia as a second home, moving their headquarters and main production plants there and tapping into a larger market with more purchasing power than Lebanon’s.[27]

 

Revamping its portfolio of offerings to cater to the new market, in 1989, Gandour introduced Yamama cakes, Kunuz candies, and a range of chocolates such as Tofiluk and Safari. These moves met with great success, facilitating further geographical expansion in the following decade.[28]

 

In the 1990s, the Gandours broke into multiple Asian markets — a strategy based on collaborations with hundreds of Asian consultants who helped them refine their offerings to satisfy the distinct preferences of their new markets.[29] They succeeded in gaining footholds for their products first in Malaysia in 1995,[30] followed by China,[31] the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Cambodia.[32]

 

In 1997, the family refocused on upscaling their operations in Lebanon and modernized their central factory.[33] Five years later, they expanded into Egypt, where they built a main office.[34] In 2010, they strengthened their presence in East Asia with the establishment of a factory in India.[35]

TODAY

Today, Gandour has grown into an iconic regional producer of over 500 confectionery and food products.[36] The company has offices strategically located in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and India, and its products are sold in markets that stretch across the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia.[37] In addition, Gandour family members have established successful spin-off companies such as Abdulkader Oman Gandour and Sons in Beirut,[38] [39] Samir Gandour and Sons in Syria,[40] and Nouvelle Parfumerie Gandour in Senegal and the Ivory Coast.[41] [42]

Notes

Photo Credit: Company vans with Gandour logo in Beirut, Lebanon in 1967. Image credit: Gandour. Source: Gandour Lebanon Facebook

[1] “Filet de bœuf à l’ail et au romarin, sauce au cassis et chocolat noir.” L’Orient-Le Jour, 30 December 2022, https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1323066/filet-de-boeuf-a-lail-et-au-romarin-sauce-au-cassis-et-chocolat-noir.html. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[2] “History.” Gandour, https://www.gandour.com/history. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[3]“History.” Gandour, https://www.gandour.com/history. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[4] “History.” Gandour, https://www.gandour.com/history. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[5] “Gandour.” Instagram, 10 August 2022, https://www.instagram.com/p/CAMyFClDBQ2/?hl=en. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[6] “History.” Gandour, https://www.gandour.com/history. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[7] Sibylle, RIZK. “EXPORTATIONS – L’entreprise familiale dessert 55 marchés, dont la Chine Gandour : un groupe qui fait tomber les clichés sur l’industrie libanaise.” L’Orient-Le Jour, 13 June 2003, https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/447516/EXPORTATIONS_-_L%2527entreprise_familiale_dessert_55_marches%252C_dont_la_Chine_Gandour_%253A_un_groupe_qui_fait_tomber_les_cliches_sur_l%2527industrie_libana.html. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[8] “Gandour : le goût de l’enfance.” Commerce du levant, 4 October 2019, https://www.lecommercedulevant.com/article/29360-gandour-le-gout-de-lenfance. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[9] “History.” Gandour, https://www.gandour.com/history. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[10] “History.” Gandour, https://www.gandour.com/history. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[11] “Filet de bœuf à l’ail et au romarin, sauce au cassis et chocolat noir.” L’Orient-Le Jour, 30 December 2022, https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1323066/filet-de-boeuf-a-lail-et-au-romarin-sauce-au-cassis-et-chocolat-noir.html. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[12] “History.” Gandour, https://www.gandour.com/history. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[13] “History.” Gandour, https://www.gandour.com/history. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[14] “History.” Gandour, https://www.gandour.com/history. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[15] “Filet de bœuf à l’ail et au romarin, sauce au cassis et chocolat noir.” L’Orient-Le Jour, 30 December 2022, https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1323066/filet-de-boeuf-a-lail-et-au-romarin-sauce-au-cassis-et-chocolat-noir.html. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[16] “History.” Gandour, https://www.gandour.com/history. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[17] “About: Gandour.” DBpedia, https://dbpedia.org/page/Gandour. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[18] “History.” Gandour, https://www.gandour.com/history. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[19] Jerejian, Lisa. “From Dabke to Tarboosh: How Gandour Won Our Hearts.” Lebanon Traveler, 10 May 2021, https://www.lebanontraveler.com/en/magazine/gandour/. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[20] Jerejian, Lisa. “From Dabke to Tarboosh: How Gandour Won Our Hearts.” Lebanon Traveler, 10 May 2021, https://www.lebanontraveler.com/en/magazine/gandour/. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[21] “History.” Gandour, https://www.gandour.com/history. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[22] “The Switzerland of the Middle East – The Lebanese Chocolate Industry.” Chocolate Class, 4 May 2019, https://chocolateclass.wordpress.com/2019/05/04/the-switzerland-of-the-middle-east-the-lebanese-chocolate-industry/. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[23] “شريط أكبر من الشاشة: عن «شعور أكبر من الحب» لـماري جرمانوس سابا.” Jadaliyya, 12 April 2018, https://www.jadaliyya.com/Details/36445. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[24] Sibylle, RIZK. “EXPORTATIONS – L’entreprise familiale dessert 55 marchés, dont la Chine Gandour : un groupe qui fait tomber les clichés sur l’industrie libanaise.” L’Orient-Le Jour, 13 June 2003, https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/447516/EXPORTATIONS_-_L%2527entreprise_familiale_dessert_55_marches%252C_dont_la_Chine_Gandour_%253A_un_groupe_qui_fait_tomber_les_cliches_sur_l%2527industrie_libana.html. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[25] Hossary, Mohamad. “Globalization at Ghandour (Lebanon).” Business case study published in Economics for Business, 2016, https://www.academia.edu/28425263/Globalization_at_Ghandour_Lebanon_. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[26] “History.” Gandour, https://www.gandour.com/history. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[27] “The Switzerland of the Middle East – The Lebanese Chocolate Industry.” Chocolate Class, 4 May 2019, https://chocolateclass.wordpress.com/2019/05/04/the-switzerland-of-the-middle-east-the-lebanese-chocolate-industry/. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[28] “History.” Gandour, https://www.gandour.com/history. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[29] “The Switzerland of the Middle East – The Lebanese Chocolate Industry.” Chocolate Class, 4 May 2019, https://chocolateclass.wordpress.com/2019/05/04/the-switzerland-of-the-middle-east-the-lebanese-chocolate-industry/. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[30] “Gandour Malaysia Sdn Bhd – Company Profile and News.” Bloomberg.com, https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/6067390Z:MK. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[31] Sibylle, RIZK. “EXPORTATIONS – L’entreprise familiale dessert 55 marchés, dont la Chine Gandour : un groupe qui fait tomber les clichés sur l’industrie libanaise.” L’Orient-Le Jour, 13 June 2003, https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/447516/EXPORTATIONS_-_L%2527entreprise_familiale_dessert_55_marches%252C_dont_la_Chine_Gandour_%253A_un_groupe_qui_fait_tomber_les_cliches_sur_l%2527industrie_libana.html. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[32] “Gandour : le goût de l’enfance.” Commerce du levant, 4 October 2019, https://www.lecommercedulevant.com/article/29360-gandour-le-gout-de-lenfance. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[33] Sibylle, RIZK. “EXPORTATIONS – L’entreprise familiale dessert 55 marchés, dont la Chine Gandour : un groupe qui fait tomber les clichés sur l’industrie libanaise.” L’Orient-Le Jour, 13 June 2003, https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/447516/EXPORTATIONS_-_L%2527entreprise_familiale_dessert_55_marches%252C_dont_la_Chine_Gandour_%253A_un_groupe_qui_fait_tomber_les_cliches_sur_l%2527industrie_libana.html. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[34]Jerejian, Lisa. “From Dabke to Tarboosh: How Gandour Won Our Hearts.” Lebanon Traveler, 10 May 2021, https://www.lebanontraveler.com/en/magazine/gandour/. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[35] Jerejian, Lisa. “From Dabke to Tarboosh: How Gandour Won Our Hearts.” Lebanon Traveler, 10 May 2021, https://www.lebanontraveler.com/en/magazine/gandour/. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[36]“Products.” Gandour, https://www.gandour.com/products. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[37] “About: Gandour.” DBpedia, https://dbpedia.org/page/Gandour. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[38] Lebanon-industry: List of Lebanon Industries, list of insurance and bank companies in Lebanon, made in lebanon, harmonized code commodity lebanon, دليل الصادرات والمؤسسات الصناعية اللبنانية, https://www.lebanon-industry.com/industrial-details/5393. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[39]“شركة عبدالقادر عمر غندور واولاده ش.م.ل.” Manufacturing Network, https://sena3a.com/ar/13067. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[40] “شركة سمير غندور وأولاده – سوريا،حماة شارع 8 آذار حماة،, Hama, SY.” Zaubee, https://zaubee.com/biz/%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%BA%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%A3%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87-yku4btof. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[41] “NOUVELLE PARFUMERIE GANDOUR.” NOUVELLE PARFUMERIE GANDOUR, https://npgsenegal.com/a-propos. Accessed 21 February 2023.

[42] Masseguin, Léa, and Olivier Marbot. “Lebanese in Africa: A look at 30 family dynasties.” The Africa Report.com, 4 December 2020, https://www.theafricareport.com/53337/lebanese-in-africa-a-look-at-30-family-dynasties/. Accessed 21 February 2023.

To cite this article please use:

“Gandour” Family Business Histories Research Project, New York University Abu Dhabi and Tharawat Family Business Forum, 20 Mar. 2023, familybusinesshistories.org/spotlights/gandour