When was T. Gargour & Fils (TGF) established?
N.G.: My grandfather started the company in Jaffa in 1928, and was joined later by his four sons. (Actually, the women in the family were given a share and then typically bought out). They started trading in oranges, and at a time when no one wanted to work with German companies, they got in touch with Mercedes-Benz in about 1936, and brought a few cars in return for some shiploads of oranges. That started our relations with Mercedes. They also were trading with the largest companies, such as Salzgitter, and trading in steel, foodstuffs and other products. By the 1960s, they had shipping and trading companies in over 15 countries in the Middle East and Europe, and as far as Canada. JB: What was your first job in the company? N.G.: It was all by chance. I started back in 1976 when I was 24. I went into work with my father on a Saturday, the day he used to go into the shipping department. I ended up staying there for the next 11 years! Had I gone in with him on a Sunday, the day hed go t
