Recognition follows three years of volume and revenue growth and continued investment in local production, technology and talent
Societe Moderne Libanaise Pour Le Commerce S.A.L (SMLC) has been named PepsiCo’s 2025 Bottler of the Year, alongside its UK bottling partner.
Announced at PepsiCo’s global ceremony in Purchase, New York, on June 9, the award recognizes strong performance across PepsiCo’s global bottling network. Bottlers are evaluated in areas including operations, quality, service and consistency.
“Everything we have achieved starts with our people,” said Walid Assaf, SMLC Chairman. “For over seven decades, our teams have never stopped serving our communities and never stopped building. That commitment has been at the heart of SMLC for generations. Their dedication has kept us growing, and this award is a testimony to their continuous achievements.”
The recognition comes as SMLC approaches its 75th year of operation in Lebanon this December, following several years of investment in local production and talent. In 2025, the company began producing Gatorade locally, bringing it into Lebanese manufacturing for the first time and adding three new production lines. It has also recorded year-over-year gains in volume and revenue for three consecutive years.
“Our bottling partners are fundamental to how we bring our brands to people around the world,” said Eugene Willemsen, Chief Executive Officer of International Beverages at PepsiCo. “SMLC’s growth has gone hand in hand with consistent investment in Lebanon and the communities it serves, and that is a commitment worth recognizing.”
SMLC also recently opened a new sales headquarters in Dekweneh, bringing together modern technology and a workforce that reflects the strength of Lebanon’s youth. In Barouk, the company continues to invest in its Aquafina production plant while supporting the surrounding community. The plant operates under a net water-positive initiative, collecting water from snowmelt and rainfall. This helps support local agriculture and the surrounding ecosystem.
SMLC has operated in Lebanon since 1952, when it became the country’s first PepsiCo bottler. Today, the company runs a national distribution network and is looking ahead to its 75th year with plans to expand production and continue investing in local jobs and technology.