When was Boecker established?
I founded Boecker on January 5, 1994, during Beirut’s post-war reconstruction. Our first branch was in Ain Mreisseh.
To what do you attribute the success and longevity of Boecker?
It’s a combination of things: our continuous pursuit of excellence by implementing international standards, adhering to quality protocols, hiring high-caliber people and behaving like a global player. We pride ourselves on being a powerful brand that communicates and engages well with clients, suppliers and stakeholders. This is how we have managed to establish an excellent reputation — thanks to our reliability and consistency.
What have been your biggest challenges?
Our biggest challenges, to name a few, have been the 2008 financial crises, the Middle East’s economic instability, the political uncertainty, the current financial crisis in Lebanon and the regulatory environment in the region.
What do you predict will happen in the industry this year?
Twenty twenty-one will be a challenging year, as we will witness the end of Covid-19 and the start of global economic recovery, which usually begins by assessing the damage before planning the recovery.
How did you commemorate Boecker’s recent anniversary?
We celebrated 27 years in the business with our clients and colleagues through a set of throwback moments on social media.
What are your expansion plans?
In 2021, we are considering the possibility of entering the African market and furthering our presence in the GCC. Our work in germ control is expected to stabilize, while our focus on food safety will be growing as we adopt the latest ground-breaking technologies in the field of food safety and food integrity. Boecker has a well-communicated seven-point strategy regarding its expansion and its corporate governance, which are now among its top priorities.
About author
Rita Ghantous
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
