Our Origins
In 1954, Aram Nahabedian founded what would later become Gresam Marketing SAL. At a time when industrial trade between Europe and the Middle East was still developing, he pioneered the introduction of German and Austrian industrial machinery into Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, including equipment for the tobacco industry.
By building direct partnerships with leading European manufacturers, he helped modernize tobacco processing and cigarette production operations across the region, laying the foundation for the company's long-standing involvement in the tobacco sector.
His contributions to international trade and economic cooperation in the region were recognized by the Republic of Austria, which awarded him the Grand Decoration of Honor in Gold, one of the country's highest distinctions.
More than seventy years later, Gresam Marketing continues to build on this legacy, serving as a trusted link between international suppliers and the tobacco industry throughout the Middle East.
Building the Industry
From the 1960's onwards, Gresam Marketing S.A.L. became instrumental in shaping the tobacco industry in the Middle East.
- 1960s-70s: Worked with the Regie Libanaise des Tabacs et Tombacs, supplying and installing the first-ever primary line of tobacco processing and manipulation that established Lebanon's national tobacco factory. Several secondary lines were later added to the factory.
- 1980s-00s: Partnered with the General Organization of Tobacco (GOT) in Syria, contributing to the creation and modernization of multiple factories by installing primary and secondary lines across the country.
- 2010s: Expanded cooperation with the Regie by establishing a molasses production facility in Tripoli, further diversifying Lebanon's tobacco-related production capacity.
- 2015 onwards: Modernized and installed a new complete primary processing line. Additionally, played a central role in developing the Cedars family of cigarette blends for the Regie. The Cedars brand became one of Lebanon's top-selling cigarettes, a testament to Gresam Marketing's technical and market expertise.
Throughout the years, Gresam Marketing S.A.L. has supplied Regie Libanaise des Tabacs et Tombacs with a complete primary line including a kitchen, and 16 secondary packing lines for their cigarette manufacturing factory.
Today, about 80% of the machinery at the Regie Libanaise des Tabacs et Tombacs has been supplied through Gresam Marketing S.A.L., a clear measure of trust and partnership built over decades.