Encouraged by the Ministry of agriculture, and counting on the youngest brother in the Haddad family (AHED) a graduate chemical engineer (University of Arizona) , the founders of (LGI) chose the agro-industrial sector eg. the processing and packaging of fruit juices, starting off initially with imported concentrates and eventually moving on to locally cultivated crops (pineapple & oranges). The project was duly approved by the National Investment Commission, and a new Co. was established under the name “LIBERIA GROUP OF INDUSTRIES”. (LGI.

To house the new factory, a two-story building was erected on one acre of land, located along the FREEWAY road, a short distance from the entrance of the FREEPORT OF MONROVIA (with an eye on exports in the future). The processing equipment were imported from ALFA LAVAL of Denmark and the packaging equipment from TETRA PAK of Sweden.

To ensure its self- sufficiency, (LGI) installed its own water-purification system, its cold storage facilities and a stand-by power plant. It was managed by a team of professionals assisted by a cast of 55 employees, all geared to produce fruit juices,, under its own brand “DISCO” starting with three flavors : orange, pineapple and grape. Production began in 1985.

Due to successful marketing of the “DISCO” brand, the producers and exporters of the “SUNTOP” brand noticed that their product which had previously dominated the market, lost most of its grounds to the “DISCO”brand ; as a result they realized that their imported product cannot compete with the locally produced product .

Hence, and after they made sure that LGI is properly equipped and adequately managed to produce “SUNTOP” according to their own specifications, they negotiated and reached an agreement with LGI, by virtue of which the two brands were eventually produced and marketed in Liberia by the latter.

After the events of the 1990’s (LGI) ceased its operations due to the serious damage sustained by its building and its equipment during those events. However despite the aforesaid damage, which was duly repaired, and the cost of water and electricity which remained quite high, the factory resumed production. But the adverse economic conditions which continued to decline, made it impossible to raise the wholesale and retail prices of the end product. A reason why the management of (LGI) was left with no other choice but to cease operations.

This temporary action was reluctantly resorted to, with the hope that those prevailing conditions will some day change for the better. Until then the building and the below listed equipment are being periodically checked and maintained .

1- A complete system of water storage and purification.

2- Cold storage facilities for concentrates.

3- Ample warehousing space for storing raw materials.

4- Ample warehousing space complete with racks for the storage of finished products.

5- Juice processing equipment imported from ALFA LAVAL of DENMARK.

6- Juice packaging equipment imported from TETRA PAK of SWEDEN