In 1936, Dr. Jean Michel Sarraf founded the Sarraf Pharmacy in Northern Lebanon. Fifteen years later, in 1951, Le Comptoir National de La Droguerie Sarraf was established to distribute pharmaceutical and cosmetic products throughout the country. As a direct result, Malia Group was born.
Dr. Jean Michel Sarraf, Founder.During the intervening years, Malia Group has used its unique legacy and knowledge to launch and carve for itself a prestigious share of the market. Today, it is recognized as a firmly established and reputable pharmaceuticals and cosmetics manufacturing and distribution company.
The combination of tradition and an unwavering vision of the future have always been the momentum behind our driving-force. Malia Group’s perennial belief in the principles of hard work, integrity and leadership has paved the road to our abiding success. Through diversification, we continue to record greater achievements and establish milestones.
Malia Group’s activities include a wide variety of sectors with operations throughout the Near-East. Malia Group member-companies are now active in the following sectors: industries, consumer goods distribution, engineering & contracting, technology and management solutions and fashion & luxury.
The company’s multifarious projects and market coverage have exceeded the borders of Lebanon and now encompass Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt and Europe. From a local concern to an emerging regional leader, Malia Group has assumed its position as a major business leader.
Your Guide to Our Milestones
click on the timeline to discover our milestones.
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1936 – 1963
Exciting Beginnings
1936 – Sarraf Pharmacy opens its doors to facilitate the distribution of medication to the population of Northern Lebanon. The pharmacy also prepares certain prescriptions on-site for local consumption.
1951 – Le Comptoir National de La Droguerie Sarraf begins distributing nationwide and includes pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. This milestone year is crowned with the acquisition of the distribution rights of the Wella brand.
1954 – Cosmaline (as it is known today), Malia Group’s industrial cornerstone, is founded and begins its production drive.
1963 – With coverage that extends throughout the Lebanese territory, Ch. Sarraf & Co. initiates Malia Group’s first foray into the distribution of FMCG. |
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1968 – 1987
Expansion Times
1968 – Following on its considerable success, Cosmaline’s second plant is established and begins operation.
1975 – Exclusive rights to locally market and distribute cosmetics-and fragrance-pioneer Shiseido are acquired by Ch. Sarraf & Co.
1982 – Cosmaline undergoes a third major expansion with the additional opening of another extensive production facility in Nahr Ibrahim, located in the north of Beirut.
1982 – Lead Advertising is established to provide strategic, promotional, creative, communications planning and other related activities.
1986 – As a result of the company’s increased diversification, Malia Holding is founded to further unite all business entities.
1987 – Malia Group carves out another niche in the market with the establishment of Pharmaline, a pharmaceutical concern that produces generic medication and internationally licensed products. |
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1991 – 2001
Fast-Paced Progress
1991 – Recognizing that the growth of the company necessitated the establishment of a core services hub, Malia Trust is launched to ensure the various companies receive financial, logistical, legal, administrative and human resources support.
1994 – As part of its on-going diversification program, Malia Group establishes Malia Development to provide planning and implementation procedures for its real estate interests.
1994 – Pharmaline becomes the trusted licensee of Pierre Fabre – France.
1999 – Further to its development program, Malia International (off-shore) is established as the Group’s contracting company. From its base in Lebanon, Malia International is allied to and provides vital support for its sister company, Malia C.T.I., which oversees on-going projects in Iraq.
1999 – Pharmaline becomes the first pharmaceutical company in Lebanon to be accredited two prestigious ISO certifications – ISO 9001: 2000 and ISO 14001:2004
2000 – Pharmaline signs a scientific education agreement with the Lebanese American University School of Pharmacy to perform bioequivalence studies.
2001 – Further diversification is undertaken with the founding of Maliatec, an ICT systems integrator which offers cutting-edge hardware and software solutions to prime businesses. |
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2002 – 2007
On a Sure Path
2002 – Malia Group begins distribution operations for FMCG products with the acquisition of exclusive distribution rights for Mars products throughout Iraq. This agreement is initiated with the launch of LeadLine/Mared.
2004 – Malia Group garners yet another groundbreaking partnership with a leading multinational with the founding of Malitab, the exclusive trade-marketers for British American Tobacco in Lebanon.
2004 – Euroline Levant opens its first showroom to the public to distribute prestigious fashion wear from the renowned Italian fashion label Paul&Shark. The company provides its customers with unisex collections in chic and high-end casual wear.
2006 – Ch. Sarraf & Co. and Cosmaline sign a landmark distribution and industrial agreement with Procter & Gamble.
2007 – As a result of a partnership agreement between Malia Group and DIVA s.r.l., Hotelline is created for the purpose of designing, developing and building the Erbil Rotana Hotel in northern Iraq. The management of the hotel is undertaken by the Rotana Group.
2007 – With the establishment of Cosmaline Europe, Malia Group makes a groundbreaking foray into the European market. It is launched with a mandate to service and distribute its in-house products throughout Europe. |
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2008
Another Landmark Year
2008 – Ch. Sarraf & Co.’s extensive portfolio of personal care products further increases with the acquisition of distribution rights of Coppertone, Supermax, SkinVitals and Essence.
2008 – Malia Group continues to make breakthroughs in the Levant with the founding of Syrmadi, a distribution house that caters to the Syrian market.
2008 – M.M.B., a joint-venture agreement between Malia Group and Mariella Burani, an Italian fashion and food design concern, is established and set to provide luxury Italian fashion labels and hospitality outlets.
2008 – Malia Group’s partnerships with multinationals are further cemented with Mared’s acquisition of distribution rights of British American Tobacco brands in Iraq. |
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