Hamoud Boualem
| Company type | Limited liability company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Beverage |
| Founded | 1878 |
| Founder | Youssef Hammoud |
| Headquarters | Algiers , Algeria |
Area served | Algeria, France, United Kingdom, Canada |
| Products | Carbonated beverages, soft drinks, syrups |
| Website | www |
Hamoud Boualem () is a prominent Algerian producer of carbonated beverages, manufacturing well-known soft drinks domestically and exporting to markets including France, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Its lineup features sodas such as "Selecto", "Hamoud", and the "Slim" series available in multiple flavors, alongside a variety of syrups. The company’s main office is situated in the heart of Algiers.
History
Established in 1878, Hamoud Boualem ranks among the oldest enterprises in Algeria. The initial production facility was located in the Belcourt district of Algiers. Youssef Hammoud, who specialized in flavor distillation, developed La Royale lemonade—the predecessor to the iconic Hamoud la Blanche—which earned a gold medal at the 1889 Paris Universal Exposition. In 1907, the firm launched Victoria, an apple and caramel-flavored beverage now recognized as SELECTO, a cultural staple within Algeria.
In 1920, Boualem Hammoud officially registered the trademark and rebranded the business as Hamoud Boualem & Cie, moving its headquarters to Hassiba Ben Bouali Street, where it remains today. The Slim brand was introduced later with a lemon flavor and has since expanded to include five variants: lemon, orange, green apple, pineapple, and bitter.
After merging with the Hafiz family, Hamoud Boualem transitioned into a limited liability company. In 2003, the company upgraded its production infrastructure and began offering PET bottles alongside reusable glass containers to boost output and satisfy increasing consumer demand. Additionally, a new manufacturing plant was inaugurated in Boufarik within the wilaya of Blida to enhance capacity.
The introduction of canned drinks occurred in 2017, followed by the launch of Lim ON in 2018—a selection of sparkling fruit juice beverages available in Citrus, Orange pulp, and Mojito flavors. By 2020, PET packaging was expanded to include 33cl and 1L bottle sizes.
Products
Hamoud Boualem delivers a broad assortment of soft drinks favored both locally and internationally. Notable offerings comprise:
- Selecto: A cola brand competing with global competitors.
- Hamoud: A lemon-lime flavored soda.
- Slim: Fruit sodas that provide a lighter and sweeter alternative to conventional soft drinks.
- Lim ON: Carbonated fruit juice blends combining refreshment with natural sweetness.
- Hamoud Cola: The latest cola variant with a taste profile similar to Selecto.
Cultural Impact
Hamoud Boualem holds a significant place within Algerian cultural heritage, representing both nostalgia and longstanding tradition.