History of INDEVCO Group

Our Five Decades of Growth Began With...

a journey and a job for a talented and industrious young carpenter.

In 1860, the British Army contracted Selim Frem of Jounieh, Lebanon to work his carpentry in support of troops fighting the Boer Wars in southern Africa. After completing his service, Selim stopped in Germany en route to Lebanon and purchased an industrial band saw. With this early technology and with his experience in organized manufacturing, Selim turned his traditional carpentry into a factory.

From the 1860s until World War I erupted, Selim Frem's enterprise thrived, enjoying a reputable standing along the Mediterranean coast from Haifa to Iskandaron. With over 1000 employees, he entered the annals of Middle Eastern industry.

In 1914, while continuing to nurture new business relationships outside Lebanon, Selim Frem was caught in Europe by the outbreak of hostilities. Responding with foresight, he took most of his immediate family to the United States. His factory in Lebanon, however, was destroyed and most of his property lost.

During the second half of the 20th century, Selim's grandson, Georges Frem, picked up the thread of his grandfather's industrious talents. An entrepreneur in imported machines and paper in the early 1950s, 19-year old Georges joined his cousins to do business in Saudi Arabia.

In a country just beginning to witness economic growth, he laid the cornerstone for success of his trading firm and the group of companies which have become known as INDEVCO Group.

Introduction