OUR INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE AT A GLANCE

MEET YOUR INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Valerie Zakka

Packaging and Processing Expert

As an expert in packaging and processing, Valerie has been providing strategic consulting to manufacturing companies for over 20 years. She is the founder of Zakka Technologies, a leading Lebanese supplier of industrial machinery and materials, trusted by clients across the Middle East, and suppliers around the globe.

Valerie is also a founding member of QOOT Cluster, Lebanon’s first Agri-food Innovation Cluster and an avid public speaker, known for her passion for efficiency and optimization in production systems design and sourcing. She is also a dynamic member of the RDCL, the Lebanese Business Leaders Association.

With in-depth daily involvement in the manufacturing industry, Valerie brings invaluable experience in guiding business owners and investors, to make informed decisions, enhance their production capabilities and streamline their operations. Through in-depth analysis and sector-specific expertise, Valerie helps clients navigate complex purchasing decisions, optimize budgets, and drive sustainable growth by connecting them with the best suppliers, service providers and partners.

Her mission is to empower manufacturers to innovate, expand, and achieve their goals, while creating a unique community through strategic networking.

Expertise: Strategic Industrial Machinery & Materials Advisor

Bashar Berro

Agri-Food Supply Chain Specialist

Bashar is a practical experienced Food System and Value Chain Development Expert, with 17 years experience in both Fresh and Processed industries.

He took multiple positions as Expert and Advisor with International and Multinational organizations in Lebanon, Africa, Europe, and Middle East.

With his unique and multi-pronged approach, Bashar proved to offer clients and beneficiaries valuable and unique input to reach their desired goals, as well as helped defined the right goals for new ventures.

Among his extensive experience, Bashar specializes in agriculture, livestock and fish farming.

Expertise: Food System & Value Chain Development

Desi Narayan

Operational Excellence Expert

Based in Canada, Desi Narayanan is an entrepreneur and recognized leader in the field of Operational Excellence. He finds and grows early-stage companies through a disciplined process of commercialization. He has also facilitated many transformations across industries such as energy production, manufacturing, healthcare, and research & development over the last 25 years.

His deep practice of Lean Six Sigma has allowed him to innovate powerful new frameworks within the body of knowledge.

Desi regularly makes business magic by bringing together new ideas, thoughtful people, and great execution to create opportunities for all.

Expertise: Operational Transformation

Fady Naffah

Telecommunication and Computer Engineer

Expertise: Digital Transformation & Open Innovation

Based in France, Fady is a Telecommunication and Computer Engineer turned Innovation and Business Expert in multidisciplinary fields. ​He has spent 10 years between being Business Director at Chemonics International, Innovation Hub Manager at Berytech, Head of Project Management Department at DataConsult, Quality assurance lead at Unilog for Nestle. ​

Expert with Executive Education Programs at ESA Business School, Emeritus, ESCP Business School Alumni. Thought entrepreneurship and Innovation at Antonine University.​ He holds a master's degree in telecommunications and computer engineering. An Executive MBA from ESCP Europe, a certification in Business Incubation Management from the International Business Innovation Association, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) from PMI ​9 years in the international Innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development field​ Global clients include US Agency for International Development, the UK Agency for International Development, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Innovation Council – Europe, Mobile World Capital - Spain, MassChallange Switzerland and US, Mowgli Foundation – UK, Stanford Seed - India and Africa, MASDAR - Abu Dhabi, Khalifa Fund - Abu Dhabi, Women for Impact – Bahrain, Tony Elumelu Foundation – Africa and many others.

Specializing in Digital Transformation, Open Innovation, Immersion Workshop on Tech Trend, AI, Block Chain, Quantum.

Farid Akl

Turnkey Project Manager

With over 35 years of expertise in perfume, aerosol, cosmetics, and detergents manufacturing, Farid is a trusted advisor and turnkey project manager for businesses looking to establish or upgrade their production facilities. Specializing in setting up factories from A to Z, Farid offers comprehensive solutions, whether you’re transitioning from semi-automatic to fully automated operations or need to ensure regulatory compliance and safety for your LPG installations.

Farid’s services encompass every aspect of factory setup, including LPG installation tailored to country-specific regulations, adherence to Ex-proof operational guidelines, and the implementation of advanced gas detection systems to prevent and manage leakages.

He also provides raw material and packaging sourcing, formulation expertise, and hands-on training for both operators and factory managers to guarantee efficient and safe operations.

Expertise: Aerosol products & Detergents Manufacturing

Agro-Processing Strategy Consultant

With over 15 years of experience, Hill Skaff is a trusted leader in strategic consulting, food production, and business development. Her ability to combine private sector insight with international development expertise has made her a go-to consultant for businesses seeking transformative success.

Hill has supported companies in expanding markets, enhancing product lines, and achieving export success across different markets. She has partnered with organizations like USAID and UNDP on projects that optimize supply chains, refine market positioning, and drive sustainable growth.

A natural relationship builder, Hill excels at cultivating long-term partnerships and leading teams to execute large-scale projects. Her international experience in Egypt, Jordan, Dubai, and the US has shaped her global perspective and ability to navigate complex markets.

Her expertise spans product innovation, process optimization, label compliance, market analysis, and strategic planning. Hill’s commitment to quality ensures businesses meet consumer and regulatory expectations while delivering exceptional results.
Whether streamlining operations, developing market-focused products, or breaking into new markets, Hill combines vision and expertise to transform challenges into opportunities.

Expertise: Food production and Business Development

Hill Skaff

Brand Growth and Innovation Expert

Patricia is a dynamic business marketing consultant with 25+ years of experience propelling brand growth and innovation. Her career spans multinational giants like Unilever and Nestlé, coupled with entrepreneurial success in founding and franchising the award-winning "GOU Restaurant & Salon de Thé".

Today, Patricia empowers manufacturing industries to conquer global markets.

Specializing in export strategies and market access, she leverages her expertise in financial sustainability, capacity building, and innovation competitiveness.

Patricia's recent high-impact projects with INGOs, local NGOs, and international organizations focus on export development, product innovation, and strategic branding.

Her unique blend of corporate and entrepreneurial experience makes her an invaluable asset for businesses ready to take their local success to the world stage.

Expertise: Marketing & Communication

Patricia Kebbe

Paul Eid

Senior Financial Strategist

Paul is a financial expert with more than 25 years of experience in Strategy, Financial Engineering including but not limited to Budgeting and planning, Banking Relations, Fiscal & Legal Relations as well as running Shared Services units in Lebanon and the region. He is currently the Group CFO of Imagic Group a leading regional Content and Entertainment production company.

Paul contributed to the drafting of different fiscal regulations with the Lebanese Ministry of Finance Authorities mainly in the communications sector.

Currently, he is partnering in the financial management of different successful startups, and is a board member and the treasurer in QOOT the first Lebanese Agri-food Innovation Cluster.

Paul translated his experience into Coaching and Training modules with local and regional accelerators and Business Schools such as Smart ESA business School as well as Coaching Master students in Innovation and Entrepreneurship program (MENT/ HEC Paris) and CEWAS middle East, Inco.org.

Paul holds a BS in Banking and Finance and a Master degree in Business Administration from Notre Dame University in Lebanon.

Expertise: Budgeting & Planning, Banking Relations, Fiscal & Legal Relations

Wissam Khoury

Electro-Mechanical Engineer

With over 15 years of experience in the manufacturing sector, Wissam brings a sharp technical mind and a deep understanding of industrial machinery to The Industrial Kingdom’s consulting team. Specializing in machinery optimization and industrial process innovation, he has guided countless manufacturing plants in selecting, implementing, and fine-tuning state-of-the-art equipment to elevate productivity and efficiency.

Wissam has a track record of delivering customized, cost-effective solutions. Known for a strategic approach that marries technical precision with practical outcomes, he conducts in-depth feasibility studies, advises on sustainable, energy-efficient technologies, and ensures seamless machinery integration to meet each client’s unique production goals.

Wissam is committed to making technology investments that are not only impactful but also future-focused.

Expertise: Technical Feasibility & Maintenance Procedures

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If you're interested in knowing more about the way we work, have a business request, or have questions, we'd love to hear from you.