Shezan International

Shezan International Limited (شیزان انٹرنیشل لمیٹڈ) is a Pakistani beverage manufacturer based in Lahore. It is one of the biggest food and beverage manufacturers in Pakistan. Two of their most famous brands are All Pure and Twist.[1] This company is a part of Shahnawaz Group and is traded on the Pakistan Stock Exchange.[2]

Shezan International Limited
TypePublic
PSX: SHEZ
IndustryBeverages and food products
FoundedMay 30, 1964 (1964-05-30)
Headquarters
Lahore
,
Pakistan
Areas served
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Europe, U.S., Canada, Asia and Australia
ProductsJuice drinks and food products
Number of employees
289
ParentShahnawaz Group
Websiteshezan.pk

Since its inception in 1964, Shezan has produced various products including soft drinks, juices, ketchups, and jams. The company is also the single largest grower of mangoes in Pakistan, and employs roughly 1,000 persons.[3][2] The company is best known for its trademark product, 'Shezan Mango', a mango juice drink popular in Pakistan.

History

Shezan International was incorporated on May 13, 1964; conceived as a joint venture by the Shahnawaz Group, Pakistan and Alliance Industrial Development Corporation, United States in 1964.[4]

Shezan remains amongst Pakistan's largest food processing units, having developed and installed the capacity to meet the country's domestic as well as export needs.[4]

In 1971, Shahnawaz Group purchased all the shares of Alliance Industrial Development Corporation with the permission of the Government of Pakistan. In 1980–81, a separate unit was installed in Karachi, which now caters for Karachi, Sindh and also meets the export demand. A bottle filling plant was set up in 1983 in Lahore, Punjab. An independent Tetra Brik plant was commissioned in 1987. In 1990, it was decided to install a juice factory at Hattar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Shezan International's head office is located in Lahore, Pakistan. In England, Nuovo Foods Limited is the authorized distributor for all Shezan products. They conduct all the import and distribution of juices, jams, pickles, chutneys, sauces, syrups and squashes.

In Canada, Target Foods is authorized distributor. In Bangladesh, Sajeeb foods is authorized distributor for all Shezan products.[4]

Controversy

Shezan has been the frequent target of controversy due to the Ahmadi affiliation of its owners. Several campaigns led by religious conservatives have in the past targeted Shezan, calling for its boycott, and subsequent ban.[5]

Shezan products ban

In 2012, campaigns by traditionally conservative Islamic groups found a more liberal voice, amongst these were lawyers from Lahore Bar Association.[6] Soon thereafter, The Lahore Bar Association also banned Shezan products from its premises and subordinate court complexes, threatening tough actions against anyone found buying the drink. The move came as 100 lawyers unanimously voted for the ban on Shezan drinks and products.[7]

Attacks

As a consequence of the numerous initiatives to boycott Shezan products in systematic Anti-Ahmadiyya campaigns, several attacks have been recorded against Shezan factories. In June 2010, unidentified assailants stormed a Shezan factory after which high-explosive bombs were detonated that left four injured.[8]

References
  1. "The Best Juice Brands In Pakistan". Runway Pakistan. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  2. Shezan International business summary and stock quote on MarketScreener.com website Retrieved 23 December 2020
  3. Anusha Zahid (3 November 2019). "A focus on quality and innovation". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  4. Anusha Zahid (1 July 2018). "From 'farm to fork'". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  5. "Why many in Pakistan are vowing 'I'll drink Shezan'". NDTV website. Press Trust of India. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  6. "Lahore Bar denies 'Shezan juice ban'". Dawn (newspaper). 16 February 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  7. "Barred: Lawyers ban drink on court complex". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 11 February 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  8. Rana Tanveer (14 June 2010). "Shezan factory attacked in Lahore". The Express Tribune (newspaper). Retrieved 23 December 2020.
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