1974: COMPANY’S ESTABLISHMENT

In 1974 George Katsiotis with an already long successful carrier in sales in the Greek market, established in Thessaloniki the company ELGEKA G. KATSIOTIS Ltd. A small commercial food company, with Drs 500,000 initial share capital and seven (7) employees. In this difficult start, from the first moment his wife Eleni is on his side.

Mr. Chips snacks, CARNATION evaporated milk, ERMIS soaps, STIMOROL chewing gum, ANTHOS KIFISSIAS sweets, TULIP luncheon meat, ΒΙΑΠ candies, ΚΟΚΟΣ candies, ΒΕΚΟ jams, ΒΑΒΟ cleanser: these are few of the brands in company’s portfolio when it started its activity and which will remain in the memory of Greek commerce and consumers.

1981: BUSINESS EXPANSION TO ATHENS

After converting the legal form of company from Company Limited to Societe Anonyme (SA) in 1980, ELGEKA expands its business to Athens by establishing a branch office in 1981. This decision aims at better serving the needs of the market and at the same time contributes decisively to further growth of the company.

1988: COMPANY’S FOUNDER PASSES AWAY
George KATSIOTIS, the person who envisioned and set up one of the biggest commercial companies in Greece, passes away. The memories of the insightful, visionary businessman, the loyal partner with the exuberant and explosive presence that stood out wherever he was, remain alive. Alexander KATSIOTIS takes on as Managing Director.

1990: NEW PREMISES IN ATHENS

After nine years of Athens branch operation, its relocation to modern, privately owned premises is now a reality. The comfortable and state of the art organized warehouse and offices in Thrakomakedones Attica together with the high level manpower of ELGEKA give the opportunity to continue at a rapid pace its upward course in the Greek market.

1999: LISTING IN ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

ELGEKA decides the increase of its share capital and the listing of its shares on the Main Market of the Athens Stock Exchange. The drawn capital will be used for the implementation of an ambitious growth plan. This decision is one of the most important in the company’s history because it is directly connected with the strengthening of the company’s position in the Greek market and the expansion of its commercial activities in the Balkan countries.

2000: EXPANSION TO BALKANS
ELGEKA expands its commercial activity in the Balkans by establishing companies first in Romania – ELGEKA FERFELIS ROMANIA SRL and in 2006 in Bulgaria – ELGEKA FERFELLIS BULGARIA Ltd. Both companies deal with the marketing of consumer products in the respective countries.

 

2000:  ACQUISITION OF VIOTROS S.A.

In 2000 ELGEKA Group decided to enter into new business areas by acquiring the majority packages in:


VIOTROS S.A.  – production and packaging of products with vegetable fat (cheese substitutes).

2004: HACCP CERTIFICATION
Ιn April 2004 ELGEKA after relevant inspections of the system of food hygiene and safety management (HACCP) at the company’s premises in Athens and Thessaloniki, was approved for certification by 2 bodies:  According to the standard “CODEX ALIMENTARIUS” from the accreditation body TUV-NORD and according to the standard “ELOT 1416” from the accreditation body TUV-HELLAS.  The above-mentioned certifications add to the company a very important competitive advantage while creating a series of responsibilities and obligations that are attached to the company’s social responsibility.

2007: ACQUISITION OF DIAKINISIS S.A.
ELGEKΑ Group expands its activity in the 3PL market – Third Party Logistics – by acquiring DIAKINISIS S.A., the first and biggest company that introduced the logistics services industry in Greece. DIAKINISIS currently holds the leading position in the 3PL Greek market, providing integrated logistic services and supply chain management solutions.

2010: COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN DIAKINISIS SA & COSCO PCT
ELGEKA Group – through its subsidiary DIAKINISIS SA – signs strategic agreement with COSCO PCT. The deal concerns the cargo project – loading and unloading – and trafficking of containers arriving at Piraeus Port, and particularly at Pier II which has been handed over to COSCO PCT for the next 35 years.

2010: ACQUISITION OF VITAPI S.A.
With the acquisition of VITA PI, ELGEKA Group strengthens its position in the wholesaling market. VITA PI is activated in the marketing and distribution of food and fast moving consumer products. It is a major supplier of ARISTA super markets network (558 stores) and also serves a significant number of independent clients – approximately 1,750 points of sale. Under the decision of 31.01.2014 of the Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders the name of the company was defined in “ARISTA COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY S.A.” and its distinctive title in “ARISTA S.A.”.

2011: CERTIFICATION ACCORDING TO THE STANDARDS OF ISO 22000 : 2005
By certifying its operation under the most stringent performance standards, ELGEKA received the following certifications:

  • Standard ISO 22000: 2005

2012: ESTABLISHMENT OF DIAKINISIS LOGISTICS SERVICES (CY) LTD

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Elgeka Group expands its activities in the Cypriot 3PL market with the establishment of Diakinisis Logistics Services (CY) Ltd. The company offers logistics services as well as integrated supply chain management solutions.

2014: ACQUISITION OF 40% OF SHARE CAPITAL OF DIAKINISIS LOGISTICS SERVICES (CY) LTD FROM C.A. PAPAELLINAS

In October 2014 C.A. Papaellinas acquires 40 % of Diakinisis Logistics Services (CY) Ltd share capital. DIAKINISIS (CY) undertakes the storage and nationwide distribution of all of C.A. Papaellina’s consumer products, and becomes one of the largest and most specialized companies in the field of Logistics in Cyprus , maintaining facilities in Nicosia, Larnaca , Limassol and Paphos.

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2014-2015: DOUBLE SUCCESS FOR VIOTROS S.A. AT THE EUROPEAN BUSINESS AWARDS
VIOTROS S.A. has been distinguished  for two consecutive years as a National Champion of Greece at the European Business Awards: in 2014 in the category “The UKTI Award for Innovation” for its  innovative conception of Violife dairy-free cheese and in 2015 in the category “Import/Export Award” for the company’s huge export growth within years 2014 and 2015.

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