In 1952, the late Toufic Assaf along with his brothers Youssef, Salim and Anis introduced Pepsi-Cola to the Lebanese market through SMLC, which is the bottling company they founded. SMLC-Societe Moderne Libanaise pour le Commerce- is the first Pepsi franchisee and bottler in the Levant.
The company started its operation in the Hazmieh plant and over the years, the company grew its line of products to include Mirinda, 7up and a number of other brands; as well SMLC added a major production facility in the Choueifat industrial zone in the 1980s.
The company has known considerable success and has grown significantly in over 60 years of operation.