Ohannes & Ara Baghdassarian

In 1931, the original KAROUN dairy "LAITERIE KAROUN" Mediterranean Specialty Cheese Dairy Products was established in Beirut by Ohannes Baghdassarian who, appropriately, chose as the company's name and trademark the Armenian word for springtime.

 

KAROUN became a pioneer in the Middle Eastern cheese and dairy industry.

 

Initially a small-scale manual operation, the dairy steadily improved its production methods by applying up to date science & technology.

After world war two KAROUN invented a new process to produce hygienically and industrially the very popular product in the Middle East: yogurt drink. This production method is still in use till now. 

This made KAROUN the preeminent brand for drinking yogurt. 

 

In 1952, KAROUN DAIRY introduced pasteurization and began to home deliver fresh pasteurized milk in glass bottles in addition to distributing its other products - yogurt, laban, labne, drinking yogurt, whip cream, cheese and butter, to hotels and restaurants in Beirut, and some retail stores in its neighborhood. KAROUN owned also its own retail store in the central district of Beirut specialized in its own products and some other related products.In 1963 the distribution system was entirely reorganized to cover the totality of Lebanon: its fleet of delivery vans distributed KAROUN products exclusively to retailers, hotels and restaurants.

In 1968 KAROUN Dairy was the first to introduce in Lebanon the one-way plastic containers replacing the returnable glass bottles of fresh milk and drinking yogurt.                                                                    

It was also a pioneer in introducing the round plastic cups replacing the jars of clay of yogurt.                   

The same year KAROUN DAIRY began to market for the first time in Lebanon yogurt with real fruits under the brand "Yofruit".

In 1971, Ara Baghdassarian the owner's son took over marketing and administration.

As demand for KAROUN'S products continued to exceed output despite several increases in capacity, it was decided to undertake yet another expansion: to transform the firm into a corporation and erect a new plant.

 

In 1972, Ara Baghdassarian, Alice and Khatchik Khatchadourian incorporated KAROUN DAIRIES S.A.L.

A modern plant having a capacity of 2000 l/hour expandable to 4000 l/hour of milk was built in the Beirut suburbs of Bauchrieh, Mount Lebanon near KAROUN'S consumer base and on main crossroads for easy service of different regions.

It is fully equipped to produce efficiently fresh dairy products and to be CIP cleaned. It has its own laboratory and maintenance facilities.

In December 1973, the new plant took over from the old facility.

In 2007, KAROUN DAIRIES INC. registered in New Brunswick began operations, supplying Near Eastern cheeses to retailers in Canada.

 

Braided String Cheese, Akawi, Nabulsi, Grilling Cheese and other specialty cheeses are produced in the traditional artisan Middle-Eastern way from first quality Canadian cow milk.

In 2008, KAROUN DAIRIES S.A.L. licensed to KARLACTI, Inc., a USA corporation, its logo, trade dress, processes and formulae.

KARLACTI, Inc. is the sole licensee of KAROUN DAIRIES in the USA. 

 

2010: KAROUN DAIRIES, the 80 year old company is a worldwide presence ready to cooperate with strategic partners on a sound business plan in the mission of providing healthy and natural food and refreshments for all.