FDC
Food & Drug Corporation (FDC) is a Lebanon-based importer, marketer, and distributor of FMCG, household/personal care, and pharmaceutical products, managing 30+ international brands across more than 7,000 retail outlets with a 650+ employee operation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersBeirut, Lebanon
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What FDC does
Food & Drug Corporation (FDC) is a Lebanon-based importer, marketer, and distributor of fast-moving consumer goods, household and personal care products, and pharmaceuticals. The company was established in 2000 through the merger of Pharmabel (founded 1974, pharmaceutical distribution) and Marketing Services (founded 1979, FMCG distribution), consolidating more than 40 years of predecessor expertise into a single platform. FDC distributes a portfolio of 30+ international brands — including Merck Serono, Pfizer, GSK, Red Bull, Pomi, Ülker, Bolton, Selpak, Aptamil, and Canderel — to more than 7,000 retail outlets across Lebanon from its Chweifat warehouse complex (21,500m2, 15,000 pallets) and headquarters in Beirut (Verdun).
FDC operates a two-sided distribution business: it contracts with multinational brand owners as the licensed importer and distributor for the Lebanese market, and delivers products to a fragmented retail base across the country through an owned fleet and strategically located depots. The company has category-leading positions in Lebanon, including Canderel as the number-one sweetener and Vape at approximately 60% insecticide market share. Revenue mechanics are transaction-based: FDC earns distribution margins on import and resale of principals' products, supplemented by marketing spend (it is among Lebanon's largest advertisers with privileged media-buying terms) and the in-house Deli private-label brand launched in 1998.
The platform is operated by a workforce of 650+ employees across import, marketing, sales, and distribution functions. Strategic emphasis in the 2015-2019 window has been on portfolio diversification (baby care via Canbebe, herbal personal care via RAUSCH, confectionery via Hitschler), infrastructure resilience (solar power at Chweifat in 2016, storage expansion in 2015), and continued renewal of long-tenured distribution mandates. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; the business operates on standard B2B distribution economics across its three verticals.
FDC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FDC
- Legal name
- Food & Drug Corporation SAL
- Website
- https://fdc.com.lb
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Food & Drug Corporation (FDC) is a Lebanon-based importer, marketer, and distributor of FMCG, household/personal care, and pharmaceutical products, managing 30+ international brands across more than 7,000 retail outlets with a 650+ employee operation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FDC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- FMCG and Pharmaceutical Distribution
- NAICS
- Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (4242)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)
- akta.pro primary industry
- OTC & Consumer Health Distributors (HLAIAJAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Pharmacy Front-End & Sundries Distribution (Health & Wellness, Personal Care, Convenience) (CRAOAHAG)
Keywords
Where FDC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Beirut
- HQ country
- Lebanon
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices3 records
Markets served
FDC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Distribution and Trading: FDC generates revenue as an importer, marketer, and distributor of FMCG, healthcare, household, personal care, and pharmaceutical products in Lebanon. The company represents international brands and distributes them through its extensive retail network.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
FDC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FDC is an importer, marketer and distributor of FMCG, healthcare, household, personal care and pharmaceutical products in Lebanon, representing 30+ international brands (Red Bull, Pfizer, Merck Serono, GSK, Bolton, Pomì, Ülker, Selpak, Canderel, Aptamil and others) plus its own Deli private-label. The company markets and resells these brands to more than 7,000 retail outlets nationwide through strategically located depots, a warehouse fleet of trucks and a 21,500m² solar-powered warehouse in Chweifat, while also providing in-market advertising and media-buying support on behalf of its represented brand principals.
Product overview
FDC (Food & Drug Corporation) is a leading Lebanese FMCG and pharmaceutical importer, marketer, and distributor. The company operates as a distribution platform representing multiple international brands across three main categories: Food and Beverage (including Deli private label, Canderel sweeteners, Red Bull, Pomi tomatoes, Ulker, Aptamil baby formula, and various snack brands), Household and Personal Care (including GSK oral health products, Vape insecticides, Selpak tissue products, Canbebe diapers, and personal care brands), and Pharmaceuticals (including Merck Serono, Pfizer, and Saja). FDC distributes to over 7,000 outlets across Lebanon through its storage facilities and fleet operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Deli: FDC's private label brand launched in 1998, includes pasta and canned foods such as vegetables, fruits, seafood and luncheon meat.
- Canderel
- Vape
- Selpak
- SMAC
- Red Bull
- Pomi
- Merito
- Ulker
- Rio Mare
- Aptamil
- GSK
- Merck Serono
- Pfizer
- Saja
Products and services
- Deli FDC's own private-label brand offering pasta and canned foods such as vegetables, fruits, seafood and luncheon meat, distributed through FDC's nationwide retail network.
- Food and Beverage Brand Distribution Importation, marketing and nationwide distribution of food and beverage brands in Lebanon, covering sweeteners (Canderel), energy drinks (Red Bull), Italian tomatoes (Pomì), biscuits and confectionery (Ülker, Devon, Bazooka, Hitschler, Gavottes), baby nutrition (Aptamil), tuna/seafood (Rio Mare), snacks (Crix, Elephant, Hunter Foods), tea (Lavina) and espresso (Caspresso).
- Household and Personal Care Brand Distribution Importation, marketing and nationwide distribution of household and personal-care brands in Lebanon, including GSK oral-health brands (Sensodyne, Parodontax, Aquafresh, Corega), insecticides (Vape, 60% market share), household cleaners (SMAC, WC Net), tissue and hygiene (Selpak, Nana, Tena), baby care (Canbebe, UNI), starch sprays (Merito) and skin/hair care (RAUSCH, White Lifa).
- Pharmaceutical Distribution Importation and distribution of prescription and specialty pharmaceutical brands in Lebanon, including Merck Serono (e.g., Glucophage), Pfizer (e.g., Celebrex) and Saja pharmaceuticals, supported by FDC's adverse-events/drug-safety reporting channel.
- Brand Marketing and Advertising Services Marketing, advertising and media-buying services performed by FDC on behalf of the international brand owners it represents, leveraging FDC's status as one of Lebanon's largest advertisers to obtain privileged media-buying conditions and executing TV, outdoor and print campaigns.
Companies that use FDC
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
FDC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
FDC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- RAUSCHminorRAUSCH has more than 129 years' experience with herbal knowledge for skin and hair care. Uses 87 herbs, oils and plant extracts. FDC distributes in Lebanon since 2019.
- HitschlerminorHitschler International is an independent, family-run company based in Cologne, Germany, specializing in confectionery products. FDC distributes in Lebanon since 2018.
- CanbebecoreCanbebe baby diapers from Ontex, produced in Europe. Offers 12-hour protection, thinner diapers with Flexfit technology and Aloe Vera. FDC launched in Lebanon in September 2017.
- LavinaminorLavina is a tea brand owned by Mega Food LLC, a company of Arcus Food GmbH Germany. Products include green tea, black tea, herbal infusions. FDC distributes since 2016.
- ElephantminorFDC distributes Elephant Incredibly Squeezed Pretzels - innovative baked snacks with unique recipes and flavors. Partnership since 2015.
- SelpakcoreSelpak is a well-known Turkish brand established in 1970 with range of toilet paper, paper towels, napkins. Part of Eczacıbaşı industrial group with 41 companies. FDC distributes since 2013.
- Rio MarecoreRio Mare is the leading Italian brand in tuna, salmon and mackerel. Market leader in Italy since 1970s, now distributed in several countries. FDC distributes in Lebanon since 2012.
- Red BullcoreFDC distributes Red Bull energy drinks, available in more than 169 countries globally. Red Bull created the entirely new product category of energy drinks in 1987.
- SajacoreSaja is a 50 year joint venture between Tamr group (KSA) and two of the largest Japanese pharmaceutical firms. FDC distributes Saja pharmaceuticals in Lebanon since 2010.
- CrixminorCrix is a corn extruded snack food - baked not fried in four different flavors. Gluten free, low calorie. FDC distributes since 2008.
- ÜlkercoreÜlker has been one of the best loved brand names in Turkey since 1944. A subsidiary of Yıldız Holding, known for biscuits, chocolate, candy, and more. FDC distributes in Lebanon since 2006.
- DevoncoreDevon is the market leader on the Maltese Islands for traditional biscuits. Part of Consolidated Biscuit Co. Ltd, exports to 20 countries with 36 products. FDC distributes since 2002.
- AptamilminorAptamil is a leading formula milk and baby food brand based on 40 years of pioneering research. FDC distributes in Lebanon since 1997.
- Bolton GroupcoreFDC has been distributing Bolton brands (WC Net, SMAC) in Lebanon since 1993, making them one of the oldest distributors in the region. Bolton considers FDC as adopting all their brands as their own.
- GSKcoreDistribution of GSK consumer healthcare brands including Sensodyne, Parodontax, Corega and Aquafresh for oral health products. Partnership since 1985.
- PfizercoreFDC handles part of Pfizer's Lebanese portfolio, including the major blockbuster Celebrex. Partnership since 1984.
- Merck SeronocoreFDC handles the whole Merck Serono portfolio including Glucophage, the world's number one Anti-diabetic agent. Partnership since 1981.
- PomìcoreDistribution of Pomì Italian tomato products in Lebanon. Made from 100% garden fresh, sun-ripened Italian tomatoes from over 700 farms. Partnership since 1980.
- PomicorePomì is the staple and trusted brand for premium quality tomatoes from Italy, sealed in BPA-free, stay-fresh package. FDC distributes in Lebanon since 1980.
- Red BullcoreFDC distributes Red Bull energy drinks in Lebanon. Partnership established in 2011. Red Bull states FDC is unique with unparalleled standards, proving to be a reliable and trustworthy business partner with four-year successful partnership taking the brand to new heights.
- Consolidated Biscuit Co. Ltdcore12+ year collaboration with FDC distributing Devon and Crix brands. Consolidated Biscuits describes FDC as highly professional, extremely market driven and dedicated in positioning their brands successfully in Lebanon.
- MerisantcoreFDC is one of Merisant's top performing distributors in the region driving continuous growth for the Canderel business. Partnership for low-calorie sweetener brand distribution.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
FDC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa Co. Kuwaiti conglomerate with one of the largest FMCG and pharmaceutical distribution operations in the GCC. Operates as an exclusive/importer-distributor for global brands across food, household, and pharma categories — the same business model FDC runs in Lebanon, making it a structurally direct comparable.
- Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo (YBACO): Bahraini/Saudi distribution conglomerate with a major FMCG and consumer healthcare division representing global principals. Operates as a multi-country, multi-category brand distributor across the Middle East — directly comparable to FDC in business model and principal-brand relationships.
- Banawi Group: Saudi Arabian FMCG distribution and brand-management group representing global principals. Same principal-agency distribution model as FDC, just at larger scale and in a different (still regional) geography.
Broad incumbents
- Abdul Lateef Jameel: Large Saudi conglomerate with extensive distribution operations including consumer products and pharmaceuticals. Comparable to FDC in the distribution business line, though much broader in scope (also includes automotive, energy, and other verticals).
- Modern Food Industries / Americana Group: Kuwaiti/Pan-MENA food manufacturer and distributor with deep brand relationships across the region. Comparable in the food and beverage distribution portion of FDC\'s portfolio and a leading regional FMCG operator.
Regional players
- Al Khabbaz Group: Lebanese distribution and trading group operating across FMCG and pharmaceutical categories with multi-brand principals. Same Lebanese operating environment and principal-distribution business model as FDC, providing a tight local-market comparable.
- Hachem Group: Lebanese diversified group with distribution activities across consumer goods and industrial products. Operates in the same Lebanese market and shares the multi-category principal-distribution model.
- Said Salim Group: Lebanese FMCG and pharmaceutical distributor with a portfolio of international principals. Directly comparable to FDC as a Lebanon-based multi-brand principal distributor, including pharma exposure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FDC social profiles
Digital presenceFDC compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
FDC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FDC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
FDC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FDC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FDC
What does FDC do?
FDC is an importer, marketer and distributor of FMCG, healthcare, household, personal care and pharmaceutical products in Lebanon, representing 30+ international brands (Red Bull, Pfizer, Merck Serono, GSK, Bolton, Pomì, Ülker, Selpak, Canderel, Aptamil and others) plus its own Deli private-label. The company markets and resells these brands to more than 7,000 retail outlets nationwide through strategically located depots, a warehouse fleet of trucks and a 21,500m² solar-powered warehouse in Chweifat, while also providing in-market advertising and media-buying support on behalf of its represented brand principals.
Is FDC a public or private company?
FDC is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was FDC founded?
FDC was founded in 2000. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is FDC based?
FDC is headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon, in the Middle East region.
How does FDC make money?
One revenue line is on record: distribution and Trading.
Who are FDC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa Co., Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo (YBACO) and Banawi Group. Broad incumbents are Abdul Lateef Jameel and Modern Food Industries / Americana Group. Regional players are Al Khabbaz Group, Hachem Group and Said Salim Group.
Does FDC have an API?
No public API is recorded for FDC.
What industry is FDC in?
FDC's product category is FMCG and Pharmaceutical Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAJAC, OTC & Consumer Health Distributors, with a secondary code of CRAOAHAG, Pharmacy Front-End & Sundries Distribution (Health & Wellness, Personal Care, Convenience). Its NAICS code is 42421 and its SIC code is 5122.