The Paul Weil Company still uses the name of the original founder. Mr Paul Weil was born in Strasbourg, France in 1871. His commercial interests began once he was appointed the Commercial Attaché for the French Government, and was based in Beirut, Lebanon.

Frustrated at the lack of commercial opportunities between France and Lebanon, Mr Weil established his own representative company in Beirut in 1900. The business developed quickly and he required assistance. Mr George Khayata was recruited as an administrator, and Mr Kamal Mehio as a commercial assistant, they were both aged 18.