Madeleine Abou-Khalil, co-founder of Tomado SARL, explains how the company has grown over the past 50 years to become an industry leader.
How has Tomado established its “legacy of steel”?
Tomado SARL, a Lebanese company founded in 1969, derives its name from a combination of “To” (from Toni) and “Mado” (from my nickname). Initially, it started as a small business in the capital and gradually grew to become one of the largest industrial kitchen specialists in the region, with three local branches.
In 1996, Tomado Stainless Factory was established to produce custom high-end stainless-steel products, like commercial refrigeration, worktables and more. As a result, this expansion enabled Tomado to attract global clients and collaborate with major national chains. Furthermore, specialized in industrial and commercial food service equipment, we cater to various sectors, including catering, supermarkets and bakeries.
For over 50 years, Tomado has been a cornerstone of the foodservice market, offering expertise in helping clients start and grow their businesses. We assist from initial planning and design to execution, delivery and installation.
Due to our commitment to customer satisfaction, our growth continues unabated.
What have been the most significant challenges Tomado has faced, and how did you overcome them?
To remain up to date, we attend exhibitions worldwide, such as those in the US, Europe and Middle East. However, maintaining our high standards amid economic challenges, including inflation and global price increases, has been crucial.
Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges, forcing us to support essential sectors, like healthcare and foodservice, for over two years.
What prompted the launch of tomadostore.com in 2021 and which products are best sellers?
TomadoStore is an online ecommerce store based in Milan, Italy. Currently, it serves all European countries and plans to expand to Arab countries, Africa, Canada and the US.
The launch of TomadoStore was a significant milestone for our company, driven by our passion and updated marketing strategies. Furthermore, we are proud to be Lebanon’s first in our field to launch a global online store.
What sets our store apart is our meticulous product descriptions, ensuring easy access to comprehensive information. Thus, customers can quickly find what they need in a clear, simple format.
Our goal is customer satisfaction, driving us to offer top-quality products at competitive prices, with free and fast shipping. Moreover, our top sellers range from small accessories to large appliances, like fridges and freezers.
What are Tomado’s upcoming projects?
We were glad to participate in HORECA this year. Furthermore, this edition was a real success for the foodservice industry and our company specifically. Moving forward, we are eager to launch new appliances tailored to our market.
In anticipation of a busy summer, the entire foodservice sector is gearing up to create a special season for Lebanese locals and tourists alike. It’s inspiring to see Lebanese families in villages create traditional guest houses and lodges managed by mothers, offering homemade Lebanese cuisine.
We are also pleased to see the growth of new fast-food ventures, like street foods and quick pick-up kiosks. Using just one piece of equipment, people can launch businesses that specialize in crepe, waffle, ice cream, popcorn or hot dogs.
Looking ahead, we plan to support the youth, aspiring entrepreneurs and home bakers in starting their businesses with minimal space and budget. Additionally, we remain committed to focusing on our clients’ projects to provide them with our expertise.
