Fayssal Frem Named Regional GM for Paper & Containers Division

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INDEVCO Paper & Containers Division has appointed Fayssal Frem as Regional General Manager, effective 1 April 2007. This promotion is a recognition of Fayssal's successful performance over the past ten years at Unipak in Lebanon, Unipak Nile in Egypt, and Easternpak in Saudi Arabia.

At these corrugated manufacturing plants, he held several key positions and left behind him a legacy of effectiveness, creativity, and team building.

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Masterpak Hosts Agricultural Film Seminar

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Farmers in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley learn application techniques of the latest agricultural films.


In an effort to enhance quality of fruit and vegetables in Lebanon, Masterpak hosted a best practices seminar for over 50 farmers, cultivators and agricultural supply traders from across Lebanon’s fertile Bekaa Valley.

This timely and relevant seminar, which took place in Zahle on 20 March, focused on a topic that could improve future harvests: techniques for applying Masterpak’s agricultural films.

“We want farmers to benefit from our films in the best way and ultimately to be as competitive in the market as possible,” explains Amal Merhi, Masterpak Marketing Manager.

El Turk Agricultural Company, which coordinated the event, distributes Masterpak’s range of agricultural films in the Bekaa Valley: greenhouse covers, ground cover film, hydroponic gully film, low tunnel film, mulch film, silage film, soil disinfection film and water membrane.

Ziad El Turk, Agricultural Engineer, warmly welcomed the participants and emphasized the benefits of the seminar. Masterpak personnel then launched the seminar.

General Manager Wissam Moubarak explained the company’s role in developing and improving local agricultural production. Other trainers from Masterpak gave detailed presentations about the product range, technical specifications, uses, and quality of the films, as well as the company’s relationship with the local agricultural sector.

Masterpak Seminar Topics

“Masterpak Corporate Profile, Product Portfolio & Global Presence”
Amal Merhi, Marketing Manager

“Masterpak’s Technical Product Specifications, Uses & Quality Standards”
Râny Sfeir, Agricultural Engineer

“Masterpak’s Relationship with the Lebanese Agricultural Sector”
Fares Fares, Sales Manager

Râny Sfeir, Agricultural Engineer at Masterpak, discussed growers’ needs and advised them to use specific products, depending on crop and climate, in order to optimize their crops.

“We customize our agricultural films to satisfy your exact plantation requirements,” Sfeir explained.

The training concluded with a Q&A session, followed by a lunch at the hotel. Masterpak plans to host this seminar for farmers, cultivators, and agricultural suppliers in other regions of Lebanon throughout 2007.



L-R: Ziad El Turk, Wissam Moubarak, Amal Merhi, Râny Sfeir,
Fares Fares, Louis El Fahel


Company Background
Established in 1979 in Lebanon, Masterpak sal co-extrudes and cuts PE films and flexible packaging products for the agricultural, construction, consumer, food and beverage, and industrial sectors. Products are destined for the local market, as well as Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.

Address
Amal Merhi
Marketing Manager
Masterpak sal
Zouk Industrial Zone
Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon

Tel: +961-9-209 001 Ext. 3615
Fax: +961-9-209 002
E-mail: amal.merhi@masterpaklb.com
Web: www.masterpaklb.com



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Pierre Akl Named General Manager of Easternpak

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INDEVCO Paper & Container Division announces the promotion of Pierre Akl to General Manager of Easternpak in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, effective 1 April 2007.

Pierre joined INDEVCO Group in 1995 as Senior Accountant at Union Packaging Corporation (Unipak) in Lebanon. Thereafter, he joined Easternpak as Financial & Administrative Manager and Export Sales Manager. In 2005, he was appointed Deputy General Manager.

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Unipak Tissue Mill Exhibits at Tissue World 2007

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Buyers of eco-friendly jumbo tissue rolls can meet UTM at the industry's premier exhibition in Nice the end of March.


Unipak Tissue Mill (UTM) will exhibit at Tissue World in Nice, France from 26-29 March 2007 (Stand # 1E185). The Lebanon-based manufacturer will highlight its variety of prime partly-to-fully recycled jumbo tissue grades at the show.

"Recycling paper is no longer a choice; it's a necessity," exclaims George Mourad, General Manager. "When customers consume recycled tissue, we make a noticeable contribution to the environment, where every gesture to safeguard helps."

Since 2000, the ISO-9001 certified tissue mill has invested in product development, what Mourad calls "a cornerstone of our success", to pass on tangible benefits to its customers and end users.

Benefits of Recycled Tissue

UTM sources fiber from recovered office or copy paper, as well as printer trimmings. Optimizing this valuable raw material creates demand for paper sent to recycling, reduces landfills and ultimately decreases costs of recycling.

UTM sources recycled paper at lower prices than its virgin equivalent. For the Away-From-Home (AFH) market, in particular, converters using UTM jumbo rolls then pass on cost savings to the end customer.

Recycled Jumbo Tissue Rolls

UTM will highlight recycled jumbo rolls during Tissue World 2007. Recycled rolls are converted into such institutional and household products as hand towels, kitchen towels, toilet tissue, facial tissue, and table napkins. Jumbo tissue roll widths range from 19 to 2640 mm, and roll outer diameter from 700 to 1500 mm.

Expansion to Egypt in 2008

UTM will also announce the launch of a sister tissue mill, Interstate Paper Industries SAE, in Sadat City, Egypt. The new tissue mill is expected to begin production in mid-2008 with an annual capacity of 50,000 MT/year.

Unipak Tissue Mill is ISO-9001 certified by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Ltd.

Company Background
Unipak Tissue Mill, a manufacturer and exporter of high-quality jumbo tissue rolls, was established in Halat, Lebanon in April 1995. The plant supplies small and medium-sized tissue converters in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

UTM's approach to the environment is directly related to the philosophy of mother company, INDEVCO Group. The mill emphasizes harmony among industry, community and environment. It has put systems into place - from effluent treatment and water management to energy management and recycling - in order to minimize the adverse impact of manufacturing on its surroundings.

Address
Unipak Tissue Mill (Division of Unipak sal)
Old Seaside Road
Halat, Lebanon
P.O. Box 22
Jounieh, Lebanon

Tel: +961-9-478 911
Fax: +961-9-478 909
E-mail: exportsales@unipak-tissue-mill.com
Web: www.unipak-tissue-mill.com

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Easternpak Approved As Packaging Supplier to Yum!

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Easternpak can now supply boxes and other packaging to the world’s top fast food chains.


Easternpak, Saudi Arabian-based corrugated manufacturer, has been formally approved as a supplier to Yum! Restaurants International, as of 1 February 2007.

Yum! is the world leader in system restaurants with over 34,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries and territories. Pizza Hut, KFC, Taco Bell, and Long John Silver’s are well-known global brands.

Easternpak completed Yum!’s STAR Packaging Supplier Facility Audit in December 2006. The audit, specified according to Yum! guidelines, evaluates food safety management system criteria:

• Pest control


• Sanitation
  
• Operations & facility
  
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)


• Product protection


• Product recovery & security

Upon approval, Easternpak is eligible to supply corrugated and fast food packaging to Yum! restaurants in the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan.

Easternpak’s ISO 9001:2000 quality management system is accredited by CERT/TUV in Germany. The plant attained HACCP certification in 2006 and expects to receive Good Manufacturing Practices certification in the near future with the follow-up audit to be conducted by BVQI for the Fédération Européenne des Fabricants de Carton Ondulé (FEFCO).

Note: Restaurant logos are the property of Yum! Brands Inc.

Company Background

Established in 1994, Easternpak Ltd. is an ISO 9001:2000-certified manufacturer of recyclable corrugated packaging solutions and the only HACCP-certified corrugated manufacturer in the GCC and Middle East North Africa (MENA) regions. Mother company, INDEVCO Group, is the sole licensee in the Middle East of OTOR packaging systems. Easternpak offers a range of corrugated box and POP display shapes, sizes, board types and strengths produced from biodegradable raw materials.

Address

Easternpak Ltd.
2nd Industrial City, Street #135
Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Tel: +966-3-812 13 41
Fax: +966-3-812 13 05
E-mail: info@easternpak.com
Web: www.easternpak.com

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Micro Epsilon Offers Masterbatch Testing Services

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Micro Epsilon has launched a high-tech testing laboratory for plastic manufacturers in the Middle East.

Lebanese manufacturer Micro Epsilon has begun offering in-house masterbatch and additive testing services, as part of a two-phase expansion of its plastics testing laboratory.

In-house testing will significantly speed up customer approval and ensure quality control of the plastics raw material.

Plastic manufacturers use Micro Epsilon masterbatches and additives to produce specialty films, home appliances, household wares, electronics, wires, cables and more.

Tony El Chayeb, Micro Epsilon Operations Manager, explains,

"Our main objective is to become a technology center for plastics manufacturers in the region. Till now, very few masterbatch producers are able to provide the quality and technical support that customers need."

Micro Epsilon's lab expansion includes two phases: first, commissioning and installation of sampling and testing equipment; second, introduction of elemental analysis and microscopic imagery services.

Phase 1: Sampling & Testing Equipment

In the first quarter of 2007, Micro Epsilon installed new equipment to sample, test, and validate the quality and color matching of masterbatches:

Phase 2: Elemental Analysis & Microscopic Imagery

After the second expansion phase, which is expected to be operational in mid-2007, Micro Epsilon will begin offering elemental analysis and microscopic imagery services.

Through elemental analysis, masterbatch or additive molecules are analyzed for their elemental composition. The service:

• Ensures consistent quality between production runs
• Reduces validation lead-time with effective product sampling
• Identifies & analyzes problems encountered during production
• Confirms product aging
• Tests new blends for product development

"Elemental analysis will give us an edge over competitors in the Middle East", confirms El Chayeb.

Using microscopic imagery, on the other hand, Micro Epsilon checks the dispersion of additives, as well as the layers distribution and surface condition of end products. As a result, customers can verify the masterbatch effectiveness.

Upon completion of phase two, Micro Epsilon will be the only plastics laboratory in the Levant and Egypt to provide these masterbatch testing and analysis services.

Interested parties may request quotes online for masterbatches and additives from Micro Epsilon.

Company Background
Micro Epsilon was established in 2003 as a division of Masterpak sal. Based in Lebanon, Micro Epsilon produces raw materials for plastic manufacturers: white and colored masterbatches, anti-block additives, anti-oxidant additives, polymer processing aids and UV stabilizers. Products are destined for the local market, as well as Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Address
Tony El Chayeb
Operations Manager
Micro-Epsilon (division of Masterpak sal)
Zouk Industrial Zone
Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon

Tel: +961-9-209 001 Ext. 3629
Fax: +961-9-209 002
E-mail: tony.elchayeb@masterpaklb.com

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Unipak's Dump Bins Are Eye-Catching & Practical

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Dump bins from Unipak are ideal for promoting snacks, widgets, and small FMCG items.


What combines pure temptation with the inability to resist? Attractive dump bins from Unipak, filled with your favorite products, of course!

Leading confectionary and snack companies, distributors and advertising agencies source fully-recyclable dump bins from Lebanese corrugated manufacturer, Unipak. Bins are placed in strategic locations throughout supermarkets and other retail establishments to stimulate impulse purchase.

Bins are produced from heavy-grade composite corrugated materials and printed in up to six colors. Unipak creates the structural design of the dump bins or implements client designs.















For More Information

Ms. Mira Frem
Regional Marketing & Development Manager
Union Packaging Corporation Ltd. (Unipak)
Halat, Lebanon

Tel: +961-9-478 900 Ext. 237
Fax: +961-9-478 915
E-mail: mira.frem@unipaklb.com
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INDEVCO To Construct New Tissue Mill in Egypt

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INDEVCO will break ground for Interstate Paper Industries SAE tissue mill in Sadat City next month.


In April 2007, INDEVCO will break ground for Interstate Paper Industries SAE, a new tissue mill to produce recycled and virgin jumbo tissue rolls. Located in Sadat City, Egypt, the new mill will increase INDEVCO Group’s current production capacity from 30,000 to 80,000 MT/year.

Stock preparation installation will begin in September, with machine erection to follow in January 2008.

Production is, thus, expected mid-year 2008.

The project is directed by the management of sister company, Unipak Tissue Mill, in Lebanon. With the goal of repeating success and experience at UTM, the management will ensure process optimization, machine efficiency, and quality assurance of pure virgin and recycled products produced by Interstate Paper Industries SAE.

The mill will supply tissue converters across the Middle East, Africa and Europe.


For More Information
George Mourad, General Manager
Unipak Tissue Mill (Division of Unipak sal)
Old Seaside Road
Halat, Lebanon

Tel: +961-9-478 911
Fax: +961-9-478 909
E-mail: exportsales@unipak-tissue-mill.com
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Snaidero Middle East Launches Medline Brand Wardrobes

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Wardrobes produced in Lebanon offer choice and affordability to consumers, interior designers, and construction contractors

Snaidero Middle East announces the launching of Medline Wardrobes, manufactured in Lebanon under supervision from Italian original furniture manufacturer, MOVE. In 2005, Snaidero Middle East teamed with MOVE as partner and exclusive agent for its smart-space storage systems within the region.

Medline Wardrobes combine Italian experience and style with affordability. Retail, project, and turnkey hotel clients have the flexibility to customize wardrobes with standard elements and 'cut-to-order' modules.

Space-making corner units, dressing room units, bridges, and shelf cases make it possible to adapt any wardrobe to precise measurements and needs for functionality and practicality.

Wardrobes

Medline Wardrobes portfolio includes three modular storage closet systems: PLUTO Hinged Door System, SATURN Sliding Door System and NEPTUNE Sliding-Folding System.

Sliding and folding systems match the finish of a room and can be used to separate spaces or rooms. Inside the closets, a wall panel allows for air circulation and affixing of cables and wires.

Walk-In Closet

In addition, Snaidero Middle East has created the VENUS Walk-In Closet, no longer accessible to only the elite or to people with large living spaces.

All systems are carefully manufactured with excellent quality materials and a wide selection of finishes for the interior and exterior of wardrobes.

Over the past 10 years, Snaidero Middle East has expanded its relationship with other leading Italian manufacturers, Snaidero and Wery of ALI Group, to import and distribute consumer, industrial, and commercial kitchens throughout the region.

Similar to its relationship with MOVE, Snaidero Middle East manufactures its own brand of Medline kitchens, under supervision from Snaidero Italy.

For Additional Distributor Information
Mr. Jihad Hani, General Manager

Snaidero Middle East s.a.l.

Dora Round-About, CIT Building

Dora, Lebanon

PO Box 11-2354

Beirut, Lebanon

Tel: +961-1-252 544 Ext. 118

Fax: +961-1-252 533

E-mail: jihad.hani@smemig.com

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"Let's Build Bridges, Not Walls"

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Traffic flows normally now on Jounieh's Ghazir Bridge, which incurred heavy damage in July 2006.

On Friday, 16 February 2007, Georges N. Frem Foundation inaugurated the re-opening of Ghazir Bridge to normal traffic.

Hayat Frem, wife of the late minister, Georges Frem, cut the ceremonial rope under the slogan "Let's build bridges, not walls".

Ghazir Bridge was heavily damaged during an Israeli air attack on 4 August 2006. Located 20 kilometers north of Beirut, the bridge is vital to north-south transport along the Lebanese coast and movement through the city of Jounieh.

Georges N. Frem Foundation requested formal approval from the Lebanese government to reconstruct the bridge only weeks after the damage. After a study to understand elevation and capacity of the bridge, a specialized team of engineers and contractors began work.

After the attack and during the reconstruction period, diverted traffic often caused considerable jams and delays.

Over the past five months, contractors worked around-the-clock to strengthen the bridge's steel base using Swiss technology, change all existing pipes under the bridge, and fix breakages caused prior to the attack.

Contractors also added empty pipes beneath the bridge to facilitate cable extensions for future telephone, electricity, and water infrastructure. All contracting works followed the legal and technical requirements set forth by the Council of Development and Reconstruction (CDR).

Georges N. Frem Foundation monitored all stages of the reconstruction to ensure safety of citizens and transparency throughout the project. Further, the foundation made certain that all work was completed in accordance with Georges Frem's mission to serve the community and the people of Lebanon.

For More Information

Georges N. Frem Foundation is a private, non-corporate foundation devoted to public education, civil society, and economic development initiatives in Lebanon.

Address

Georges N. Frem Foundation
Tellet Al Assafir
Ajaltoun, Lebanon

Tel: +961-9-235 706
Fax: +961-9-235 534

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