In need of a tune-up

The effects of the July 2006 war are still being felt by the country’s industries, and by export orientated businesses in particular. Nizar Raad, managing director of Universal Metal Products (UMP) — a leading manufacturer of collapsible aluminum tubes for pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies that exports 85 percent of its products — said his major customers panicked during the conflict and started looking for alternative suppliers. “Tubes are an important component in the production system, so if we could not deliver it was a problem for our customers. We lost some market share, around 25 percent since 2006, and have been fighting to get it back,” he said. “We are clawing back, slowly, regaining 10 to 15 percent.” Tinned and preserved food company Cortas, which also exports 85 percent of its produce, had a rough time during the war as well, but “didn’t really lose clients,” said Ramzi Cortas, its