Efthymiadis Agrotechnology Group - 80 years album

α down to earth strategy for growth

innovation effectiveness

credibility

EfthymiadisagrotEchnologygroup

1935 2015


2

80 yEarsEfthymiadis agrotEchnology group

contriButing to thE history of grEEK agriculturE

innovation, effectiveness, credibility

“For over 4 millennia, agriculture has supported -more than any other science- the survival, continuity and prosperity of the human race.

Our conviction that we have positively contributed in this historic evolution, even with our humble means from this minute part of the world, fills us with pride for our 80-year past but also with confidence for our future.

Let this short narration of our exciting journey serve as a tribute to the unending story of Greek agriculture.”


an anciEnt craft

From the dawn of time, it is the craft of agriculture that spurs the mag-nificent civilization of the ancient Greeks. Here, in sharp contrast to the vast prairies and the rich riverside soils of Mesopotamia and Egypt, the Greek farmer must cope with a rug-ged, difficult terrain of the peninsula and the islands. He has to be inven-tive. He has to develop his intellect at a “divine” level.

Enters Demetra, the sister of Zeus and goddess of agriculture, teaching the secrets of the cereals; Athena, the daughter of Zeus and goddess of wisdom, bestowing the olive-tree upon Athens; the exotic Dionysus, god of religious ecstasy and theatre, promoting the making and the sa-vouring of wine.

From early on, the Greek agricultural products are acknowledged for their quality. They travel throughout the known world: wine from Chios, ol-ive oil from Ikaria and Lesvos, honey from Attica, goat cheese from Sparta, crisp bread and other unique prod-ucts such as the rare, low in gluten, wheat that gave its name to the com-mercial port of Zea, near Athens.

3000 BC

300 BC

For thousands of years, the ways of cultivation and its yield barely changed . Only a few centuries ago did mankind take serious inter-est on how the world works and started

unleashing its creativity

From Alexander the Great and there-after, the Greek culture -the lan-guage, the arts and the diet eventu-ally exert an influence on a much broader area where the Romans, the Byzantines and the Ottomans will successively rule up to the 19th century.

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The Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the discovery of New Worlds changed the human civilization and, with it, agriculture. New plants, such as tobacco, cocoa, coffee, tea, potatoes, cotton, and many others, travel to Europe.

1492

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The Industrial Revolution benefits the agricultural production, the cities expand, and new political and social trends reshape the map of Europe.

Greek merchants and scholars bring home the amazing testimonies of a changing world to the new, inde-pendent Greek state that sprung from the revolution of 1821. As the 19th century comes to an end, Greece readies herself for radical changes in agriculture and other social and eco-nomic sectors

Greeks flourish in the aging Ottoman Empire. [Members of the Efthymiadis family in Redestos, East Thrace, 1890]

19th Century

in a changing world

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The feudal model is deeply rooted in the warring Balkans but it is finally questioned with the land reforms of statesmen like Charilaos Trikoupis and Eleftherios Venizelos. The end of the Great War finds Greece double in size -new lands and people are reclaimed in Epirus, Macedonia and Thrace. Danger still lies ahead though. It is the geopolitical shift during the Interwar Period, the un-fortunate Asia Minor expedition and the following exchange of popula-tions between Greece and Turkey.

1914 1918During this period, the country’s industrial development relies on agricultural products such as wine, tobacco, olive oil and cereals. All these are cultivated with old-fash-ioned, traditional methods.

in a changing grEEcE

Eleftherios Venizelos, early 1920

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He starts by importing ornamental plants, bulbs and seeds. As the plants require protection and nutrition, he imports, in cooperation with the British firm Murphy, the first specialized plant protection products -they are so novel that the creation of a new clas-sification is required for their customs clearance. Fortunately, they meet the market’s encouraging acceptance.

Greek soldiers board the ships at Redestos. Greek refugees flood Thessaloniki and other Greek cities.

1922

Efthymis Efthymiadis arrives in Thessaloniki in 1922 with his family, along with hundreds of thousands of refugees from Eastern Thrace, Asia Minor and the Pontus. His only provisions are his education at the famous Phanar Greek Orthodox College, a Medal of Honor from the Greek Army and a strong drive to build a new life.

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1923

thE intErwar pEriod

The arrival of Greek refugees from Asia Minor and the Black Sea in-creased the country’s population dramatically; it also boosted urban-isation and, with it, the size of the workforce and the demand for more products. Agriculture was the first to progress: irrigation projects helped expand the cultivated land, agricul-tural production doubled and new crops, like cotton, came to stay.

Entrepreneurship rises among refu-gees and local citizens alike: new industrial investments in textiles, flour mills, wineries, olive oil or to-bacco, among others, turn traditional agricultural crops into new consum-er goods. A new model of social and economic growth is now visible.

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[above]: Since its foundation, in 1927, the Agricultural Bank of Greece empowered the cooperative movement and set the frame for the greek agricultural farming and industry for decades.

[right - clockwise]: The traditional olive mill at Agia Paraskevi in Lesvos, now a museum; the Achaia-Clauss winery, famous for the semi-sweet “Patras Mavrodaphni”; the Pappas flour mill in Larissa, now a cultural centre; the Matsaggos Tobacco factory in Volos, now the seat of the University of Thessaly.

Efthymios Efthymiadis

1927 1935

«To know and to love your business. This is the duty of the entrepreneur»

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In 1935, Efthymis Efthymiadis establishes the business that now employs 420 people, and makes a turnover of 60 million euros in eight countries.

At that time he only employed two people and served the needs of a few hundred clients. Still, he had the vision and the self-confidence to look ahead.

He immediately registered the young company for participation at the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair and spared no effort to promote new techniques and new products, criss-crossing northern Greece from dawn to dusk.

Eighty years later, at the onset of a new century, the family business passes on the same virtues to its fourth generation.

1935

A «hand crafted» first at the Thessaloniki International Fair, 1935

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The country is about to find its pace towards stability but World War II, the famine in the occupied urban areas, the devastating civil war and the ensuing desertion of the countryside, pose yet more obstacles to modernisation.

Despite the social and economic turmoil, creative people everywhere in the country seek for innovative paths to a new Greek agriculture.

New roads, railway networks, and the new port facilities allow for a safer and faster distribution of the agricultural products to and from the mainland and the islands. The great drainage and irrigation projects exploit new land and intro-duce hydrophilic cultivations such as cotton and sugar beet.

On the Day of the Farmer, in 1949, Athanasios Efthymiadis parades on one of the first farming machines in Greece.

1949

During its early years, EYΓE -Efthymiadis Agricultural Enterprises- builds on a relationship of trust with its foreign suppliers and its local clients.

Τhe Port of Thessaloniki silo: The distribution of cereals takes place mainly from the ports of Piraeus, Volos and Thessaloniki. All over the country, state agencies and entrepreneurs are building modern storage facilities.

at a rapid pacE

By the end of World War II, Murphy executives were surprised to receive a check issued by Efthymiadis for the settlement of his debt. The British firm had already written off the debt acknowledging the grim conditions in Greece after the war.

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1950 1952Better infrastructure, new crops anda higher demand for agricultural raw materials by the rapidly grow-ing agro industry, steered to the mechanization of farming. It also led to the expansion of intensive cultivations throughout the coun-try -cereals, grapes, tobacco, potato, sunflower, tomato, citrus, peach and other fruit.

Firms like AEEXEPL in Drapetsona, the Industry of Phosphoric Fertiliz-ers in Kavala, AEBAL in Ptolemaida and the Chemical Industries of Nothern Greece in Thessaloniki, all place their mark in the fertilizer industry. K+N Efthymiadis company stands out in the plant-protection sector where interna-tional firms such as ICI, Bayer etc dominate the market.

Equipment is also being modern-ised –tractors, irrigation equip-ment, and other farming machinery, all contribute to an increase in productivity.

At the same time, industrial activi-ties supporting the agricultural pro-duction and processing also grow. In the field of agricultural machin-ery, new local manufacturers prove themselves in producing irrigation systems, plows, rototillers, and various components for tractors.

Equally active is the domestic pro-duction of glass bottles, containers, crates, palettes and other accesso-ries for the processing and distribu-tion of fresh produce.

During the 50’s, in the Greek countryside Efthymiadis and his team meet regularly with farmers

[above:] The logo of AEEXEPL[left:] Irrigation system for extensive farmlands (spool made in Greece)

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[above] An advertising poster by Peiraiki Patraiki; the company dominated the market from 1919 until its closure in 1996 [right] Fruit sorting machine GREEFA

1953

Harvesting with «batoza» at Sapes, Evros region, 1953

The professor of Agricultural Sciences, Vassilios Christidis -grandfather to the third generation of the Efthymiadis family- envisioned and established the Greek Cotton Institute during the 30’s, and headed the research team behind 4S, the revolutionary new cotton variety that increased Greek cotton production threefold.

The cultivation of cotton led to the development of a large, vertical indus-try that will flourish for the next four decades; from cotton ginning, to thread and fabric production, to garments, the textile industry has been an important sector of Greek exports for years.

modErnising agriculturE

Efthymis Efthymiadis and his partners showcase the contempo-rary methods of arboriculture to the farming communities throughout northern Greece. The time of the large, “wasteful” tree is over; from now on fruit-trees are smaller, prop-erly pruned, healthy and their yields are significantly higher.

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Meanwhile his son, Nikos Efthymiadis is studying Agricultural Sciences and is deeply impressed by the dynamics of the international agro industry. Under his pressure, the family business changes its strategy: from now on the already successful trading activities will be supplemented with the manu-facturing of plant protection products, propagation material and other agri-cultural supplies.

19701964

A British expert designs the first manufacturing plant in Kordelio, to quality and safety standards never before implemented in Greece. The size of the investment dissipates the profits and threatens the very viability of the business, but the perseverance to high quality standards and its eventual appreciation by the agronomists and farmers alike will prove young Nikos right.

A new era of growth and extroversion is on the way, the business vision broadens and the Efthymiadis compa-ny gears up to form a dynamic group of companies.

Although Greece still suffers from political instability and a military junta till the mid -70’s, new invest-ments are materialised both by Greek and foreign companies, such as Misco, Giotis, Papadopoulos, Greek Sugar Industries, Dodoni, Elbiz, SEKAP, Nestle, Unilever, Athe-nian Brewery, Delmonte, Viamyl, Agroinvest and many others.

From the early 50’s until the mid-90’s, the Greek agricultural industry benefits from new technologies, the introduction of new cultivations and the restructuring of the older ones.

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In 1975, the Efthymiadis family moves their plant to the newly established Industrial Park of Thessaloniki in order to boost the production capacity; they also set their sights to the markets of the Middle East and the Balkans.

It is a fertile period by all means: the business expands to two -totally new to Greece- sectors, gardening supplies and drip irrigation systems.

The raw and processed agricultural products still constitute the largest part of the country’s exports. Pro-duction of canned-fruit, juices, paper, sugar, seed-oil, pasta and frozen veg-etable, develops rapidly as the urban population increases. Brand names become everyday words in the Greek society: Nounou and Vlachas, Nes-cafe, Kyknos, Assos are only a few.

1975

The company’s executives in Tehran

At the gAtes of europe

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1980 1985

With half a century of growth under their belt, the Efthymiadis family broadens the company’s vision and initi-ates an extensive research and develop-ment programme for plant propagation material.

Nikos and Mary Efthymiadis, both expert agronomists, share the toils and the enthusiasm of a growing enterprise.

As Greece joins the European Eco-nomic Community (ΕEC) in 1980, new regulations and funding schemes start to flow in. They aim at changing the structure and favour the growth of Greek Economy in line with European statutes and business practices.

Greek Agriculture has to conform with the Common Agricultural Policy provisions. To this end, sev-eral levels of funding are designed, both horizontally and vertically, to support the reshaping of the in-frastructure, the restructuring of cultivations, the remodeling of the industry, new investment in R&D and the modernization of vocational education. Additional subsidies are set in place to encourage specific cultivations with some of them still active today.

During the first years as members, a series of conflicting strategies, significant delays and vaguely de-fined objectives result in the less-than-optimal allocation of European resources.

Despite these setbacks, the contri-bution of European funds to the modernisation of Greek agriculture proves decisive at a time of critical shifts: the textile industry weakens as markets gradually move to coun-tries with lower labour cost, the to-bacco market suffers from the global anti-smoking campaign, the state owned sugar industry loses its mo-nopoly etc.

On the other hand, products like wine & cheese, soft drinks, olive oil, and ready-to-serve meals, recover from decade-long stagnation, be-cause they adopt new quality stand-ards, such as ISO, HACCP, etc, for the manufacturing of certified products with designation of origin and tradi-tional speciality guarantee.

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As the global population grows big-ger and more demanding, the need for more and better quality agricul-tural products leads to new and im-pressive propagation technologies. Academic institutes, research centres and private firms persistently invest in biotechnology for improved plant varieties: more resistant to diseases, highly adaptive to the climatic and soil conditions, significantly more productive and more suitable for the processing industry, like the endur-ing and longer cotton fibre or the specialised barley grain for malting.

The evolution of tissue culture tech-nology intensifies when it is most needed. It greatly contributes to the production of virus-free plant propa-gation material also certified for the variety’s authenticity. From now on, farmers have access to plant sam-plings that grow and fructify uni-formly and to specified characteris-tics.

1986

In order to meet the growing need for reliable rootstock and samplings, the Efthymiadis Group ventures in plant propagation material through VITRO.

The company’s tissue culture laboratories, nurseries and greenhouses develop and produce virus free and certified plants offering to Greek growers of grapes, fruit, aromatic and pharmaceutical plants, a competitive edge in the global market.

plAnt propAgAtion mAtters

Any part of a plant

-roots, branches, leaves,

seeds- that carries

the genetic information of

the plant, and is suitable

for a new plantation, can

be used as propagation

material.

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1990

«We should make the best ofthe indigenous vine varietiesif we want to avoid theCabernet-isation of the Greekwine industry»

Yannis Butariswine maker and Mayor of Thessaloniki

Inspired by the best of the Greek wine makers, the Efthymiadis Group employs high-end agrotechnology to support the Greek wines.

After years of joint research on the clonal selection with Research Centres, VITRO -the new member company of the Group- generated clones for most of the Greek grapevine cultivars: Xinomavro, Moschofilero, Agiorgitiko, Limnio, Assyrtiko, Mala-gouzia etc.

With these clones, the Greek wine makers became able to produce wines which display a unique and invariable character, are appreciated for their quality and travel all over the world.

Unfortunately, during this critical period, the Greek State’s research ac-tivity gradually deteriorates. During the 90’s the funding for propagation material research ceases altogether; the once omnipotent Agricultural Bank of Greece looses ground; the public services that used to consult and support the farmers are not able to keep pace with international de-velopments any more. To bridge this gap, private companies step in with various initiatives and considerable investments.

With K+Ν Efthymiadis and VITRO, the Group stepped into the world of modern agrotechnology. With ΒΙΟS -in 1990, and shortly after with its subsidiary, AMBIOS- the Efthymi-adis Group unfolds its potential: by 1995, «Christina» has become the first privately developed Greek cotton vari-ety to be registered and approved for commercial use, and gains significant Greek market share.

Further growth is generated as several major multi-national firms trust their own varieties with the Group’s com-panies for mass seed production and distribution.

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In the 28 EU countries with the five hundred million inhabitants and a common legal and regulatory frame-work, a more homogenous dietary model begins to emerge, retaining however many unique ethnic char-acteristics, such as the Mediterra-nean diet.

In Greece, where most of the agri-cultural production relates to food, consumers in urban areas demand branded products of high quality at lower prices. This invites higher im-ports, while the country’s exports are mainly restricted to raw agricultural products. Responding to these mar-ket trends, the private sector devel-ops novel methodologies to enhance the primary agricultural production and its industrial processing.

1993

Nikos Efthymiadis, at his first speech as president of the Fed-eration of Industries of Northern Greece (FING), sums up the strat-egy to be adopted by Greek produc-ers: “Very well made in Greece”.

During his two terms, the Federa-tion becomes a social partner to the Greek government, drafts the Strategic Development Programme for Macedonia and Thrace, and enhances the extroversion of the Greek businesses.

In the same period, the president of the Efthymiadis Group, along with other prominent figures from neighbouring countries, co-founds the Center for Democracy in the Balkans; he also participates in many international initiatives such as the Business Advisory Council that promotes investment in Southeastern Europe.

madE

in grEEcE

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At the dawn of the new millennium, with Greece in the Eurozone, the Efthymiadis Group finds its way to foreign markets by establishing sub-sidiaries in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Albania and FYROM; the Group also experiments with new technologies i.e. the chemical-free drying of raisins by its subsidiary, Netagro.

With investments in laboratory equip-ment at an unprecedented scale for South Eastern Europe, Agrolab RDS becomes the next member of the Group. The company’s laboratories perform a wide range of analyses for farmers, food industries and institutions in Greece and abroad. They all rely on Agrolab’s certifications as a guarantee of quality and a valid ticket for their markets. Furthermore, by indicating the proper use of chemicals and natural resources, Agrolab consultancy serv-ices contribute to the protection of the environment.

New and strict regulations as well as more demanding requirements by consumers, supermarket chains, ex-port-oriented companies etc., impose better quality screening. Certificates and nutritional labeling provided by internationally accredited es-tablishments are now a necessity for fresh and processed foodstuff in many countries. These certifica-tions are documented by lab reports on soil composition, water quality, microbiological composition of wa-ter and foodstuff, residue analysis for hazardous substances in raw and processed foodstuff etc.

By now, many Greek products -main-ly fruit and vegetables- have already reached high quality levels, but their value has yet to be acknowledged in the European markets. More and more Greek producers seek appropri-ate documentation and certifications for their produce.

1999

By now, the third Efthymiadis generation starts getting involved in the family business. Having worked as interns in various production units, Thymis, Vassos and Loukia complete their university studies abroad and return to «implant» their own vision as young executives in the Group.

time for Agrolab!

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new opportunities for greeCe

Deeply involved in agrotechnology and the food markets for seven decades already, the Efthymiadis Group could not but recognise the early sings of Contract Farming and its great poten-tial. With Hellenic Farming, estab-lished in 2001, Efthymiadis addresses farmers and investors with a state-of-the-art production and marketing model for high quality produce.

By 2007, this model of modern produc-tion protocols and contract farming is fully developed and producing excel-lent results: the first branded Greek tomato, hydroponically cultivated at the 10-hectare Agritex glass green-house, in Alexandria, near the city of Thessaloniki.

The need for reliable food drives consumers towards branded prod-ucts, as they are now convinced that the quality and safety are guaran-teed by their manufacturers. This trust-based relationship needs to be protected and therefore a control mechanism is required to certify that branded products are indeed be-ing produced with the propagation material, the cultivation techniques and the supervisory mechanisms set to ensure their quality.

2000To best protect this valuable bond of trust throughout the whole “from farm-to-fork” cycle, Contract Farm-ing is a valuable ally. Its successful introduction in different agricultural products paves the way for a bright-er future for both the farmer and the consumer.

ContrACt fArming

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With Greece under crisis, high unem-ployment and deteriorating financial conditions drive a growing number of young people from the big cities back to the countryside and from white collar jobs to agriculture. Their success at a personal level would also mean a reversal of the urbanisation and a renewed interest in modern agriculture.

But if they are to succeed as farmers or entrepreneurs, these people need consultation and supervision. Since the state agencies are incapable of providing them, the need for educated and experienced corporate teams is paramount. In recent years, for ex-ample, there is an increasing interest for intensive farming and industrial processing of aromatic - pharmaceuti-cal plants and herbs. However:

> What are the real needs of these markets?

> Which varieties, bearing what characteristics, need to be cultivated?

> Are the soil and the climatic con-ditions favourable?

The answers to such questions could make the difference between a dis-couraging experiment and a suc-cessful business model.

2010 2014

Nikos Efthymiadis, 1995

«Greece’s most important priority as it moves into the future is to re-establish credibility within the country and across the borders»

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ContrACtfArming

Contract Farming was first introduced in Greece by the Greek Sugar Industry at the early 60’s but it never really expanded into other sectors until recently. Today, however, it experiences rapid growth as it streamlines the “from-farm-to-fork” cycle and safeguards the qualitative characteris-tics of the product.

Initially, Contract Farming related only to the industrial manufacturers and their need to secure access to the agricultural raw material they needed, i.e. beet for sugar, wheat for pasta, barley for beer, etc. at the right time, and with a pre-specified quality and price. More and more agricultural sectors joined in, as Contract Farming gradually expanded to cater to the ever growing consumer demand for a wide variety of nutrition products, fresh or processed.

The Contract Farming Cycle usually involves three distinct participants, working together in harmony for their mutual benefit:

i. The food processing manufacturers or the repackers / distributors of fresh agricultural produce, seeking to buy crops of pre-determined characteristics and according to consumer demand.

ii. The farmer or farmer group, trying to ensure the successful sale of their produce at a pre-deter-mined quantity and price.

iii. The bank, which guarantees the adequate funding of the grower.

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The Efthymiadis Group of Companies adds value to this Contract Farming Cycle by combining:

> its vast agronomical know-how with its understanding of consumer needs and the potential of new technologies,

> its capability to supply the farmers with quality inputs, offer guidance and advice, and bring them in contact with the end users of their products,

> its expertise in assessing and certifying the quality of the produce.

Combining the products and services of its diverse and specialised companies, the Efthymiadis Group supports the aligned operation of all three participants of Contract Farming, so that the whole cycle performs more efficiently.

In this way, the Efthymiadis Group also contributes to a more thoroughly planned, efficient and productive future for Greek agriculture.

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fACing newChAllenges

In the beginning of the 21st century, globalisa-tion exerts a greater influence upon economies, cultures and societies.

Food is no exception. People, anywhere on the planet, seem to have two different and some-what contradicting needs: Three out of five re-quire more food as they move from mere sub-sistence to a more prosperous and healthy life; the rest demand ever better quality and control of what they consume.

2015The ever growing human population puts even greater pressure to the natural re-sources, such as drinking water and fertile soil. With limited resources, traditional agriculture could not possibly cater for these increasing needs for quantity and quality at the same time without severely harming the environment. Only science and technology can.

The progress of agrotechnology has sus-tained civilizations and helped them flour-ish for thousands of years. It will continue to do so at a much faster pace.

60% 40%

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Facing the challenges of a changing world, Efthymiadis Agrotechnology Group turns to draw from the rich experiences of its past and re-affirms the values on which their family has built a respectable business:

Work on the comparative advantages of your country and your people.

Work for a sustainable growth, for better quality, for enhanced productivity and for the protection of the environment.

Work hard to succeed. Promote new technologies, support the farmers to meet the needs of the people and the industry, advocate the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and the advantages of Greek Agriculture.

Grow. To achieve better results. To build on trust and ethical partnerships with clients and suppliers.

Grow looking ahead. Grow on self-confidence. Grow on the youthfulness of an 80 year old company who now educates its fourth generation.

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a BriEf synopsis

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2002

2005

moments & numBers

New, modern plant at the Industrial Park of Thessaloniki

The first agrochemical production plant of K+N Efthymiadis

Establishment of Agrolab RDS, the first provider of laboratory and consultancy services of international standards in South Eastern Europe

Innovation through tissue culture techniques for plant propagation material by Vitro

The first research programme for a privately developed Greek cotton variety at Bios

New customs classification for the novel imports of E. Efthymiadis

Advanced seed production and processing through chemical seed delinting by Ambios

The first hydroponic high tech glass greenhouse by Agritex

The first branded Greek tomato, Lucia, by Hellenic Farming

Foundation

10 CoMPanIes6 IndUstrIaL sItes420 PersonneL€ 60M totaL groUP tUrnover

EBIDTA

EMPLOYEES

TOTAL TURNOVER

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2008

2011

2014

«From-Farm-to-Fork» Contract Farming systems developed by the Efthymiadis Group of Companies

Further market development, now in the Black Sea Region

New facilities for southern Greece at Markopoulo, Attica

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agricultural suppliEs

Κ+Ν EFTHYMIADIS s.APlant protectionFertilizersSeeds

INTERNATIONAL DIvISIONBulgaria

Romania

Serbia

Albania

FYROM

Bios Agrosystems s.ASeed propagation material

Research and development Seed production Seed processing

vITRO HELLAS S.APlant propagation material

Tissue Culture - Nurseries- Production - Research - Sales

propagation matErial

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SubSIDIARIESAGROLAB Bulgaria E.O.O.D

ENVIROLAB IKE

AgROLAb RDS S.ALaboratory & consultancy solutions

helleniC fArming s.AQuality agricultural produce

AgriteX energy s.AHigh tech glass greenhouses

sErvicEs food sEctor

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The backbone of the Efthymiadis Group, K+N EFTHYMIADIS S.A, is the leading Greek firm in the development, production and distribution of plant protection products, specialty fertilizers, and seeds. The company operates the most com-prehensive industrial plant for formulation and re-packing of plant protection products in South Eastern Europe.

The company cooperates with global leaders such as Monsanto, Mitsui & Co, Nippon Soda, Dow Agrosciences, Bayer, BASF, RAGT, Stet Holland and others for the production and/or distribution of their products. Beyond the borders, the company has expanded in Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Serbia and FYROM through subsidiar-ies, representatives and, recently, through strategic alliances for further market penetration.

froM gLobaL knowLedge to sPeCIaLIsed agrICULtUre

> Κ+Ν efthyMIadIs s.a Agricultural supplies

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K+N Efthymiadis owes its success to four advantages built over time:

> The extensive knowledge of agricultural technology and market trends at a global level

> The strict quality and safety standards in all stages of production

> Its strategy to provide a strong link between grower practices and consumer needs throughout the agricultural value chain

> Its unconditional dedication to ethical trade practices with clients and suppliers

> Plant protection products> Fertilizers> Seeds

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Acknowledging the importance of certified, high yield seeds quite early on and guided by the Group’s values, BIOS AGROSYSTEMS S.A took an active part in the rising sector of propagation material, starting in 1991. Bios soon became one of the first Greek companies to adopt new techno-logies and develop systematic R&D programmes to create new plant varieties making the best of Greece’s soil and climatic conditions, the cotton variety “Christina” being one of them.

The company operates AMBIOS, in Xanthi, the most modern chemical delinting industrial plant in Greece. Besides delinting, production procedures include sorting, disinfection, germination control and packaging of seeds such as cotton, wheat, barley, alfalfa and more.

In its facilities and its controlled fields -under Contract Farming agreements- Bios makes the best of Greece’s optimal soil and climatic condi-tions. The company also utilises its extensive know-how, quality procedures, safety policies and cutting edge technology, to develop its own premium propagation material and to reproduce the genetic material of other agro firms on a commercial level.

Market leaders such as Bayer, Deltapine and Monsanto have been trusting Bios with their integrated seed-producing process for years.

the age of hIgh yIeLd, CertIfIed seeds

> bIos agrosysteMs s.a Seed propagation material

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> Research and development > Seed production > Seed processing

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VITRO HELLAS S.A plays a decisive role in Greek Agriculture as a major producer of healthy plant propagation material for many important cultivations. The company also offers consultancy services and has always been a strong advocate of Good Agricultural Practices.

Vitro operates tissue culture laboratories, nurser-ies and greenhouses where it produces and grows a variety of samplings and plants. Resilient, virus free and certified kiwi plants, fruit-trees or herbs among many others, provide farmers of -mainly perennial- crops with the right material to enter the highly competitive international markets with a produce of strong identity and high quality.

Working closely with Research centres and the Greek General Secretariat of Research and Tech-nology in the last twenty years, Vitro developed the clonal selection of Greek grapevine cultivars, by means of selection from certified vineyards, comparative experimentation related with agro-nomic characteristics and micro-vinifications. The same systematic R&D and production approach is followed for many Greek aromatic and pharmaceutical plants and herbs with commercial potential.

at the heart of PLant ProPagatIonMaterIaL

> vItro heLLas s.a Plant propagation material

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> Tissue culture > Greenhouses> Nurseries

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Agrolab RDS is one of the leading laboratory and consultancy solution providers in Southeastern Europe. As the scientific branch of the Efthymiadis Agrotechnology Group, the company serves the agricultural sector and the Food & Feed indus-try; it is also active in the field of environmental protection.

In ultra modern facilities in the cities of Thessaloniki, Athens and Volos, Agrolab RDS and its subsidiaries perform field studies and product quality tests; they also issue internationally recog-nized analysis certificates to facilitate the interna-tional trade of food products. Another range of soil, water and waste analyses address environ-mental concerns. The full spectrum of Agrolab’s services is offered to farmers, corporations and public services in Greece and other South East European and Mediterranean countries.

Driven by its state-of-the-art philosophy, Agrolab RDS keeps investing and extending its infrastruc-ture in Greece and abroad -in the last few years the company incorporated Appert S.A, a microbio-logical lab in Athens, Envirolab IKE, an envi-ronmental lab in Volos and established Agrolab Bulgaria E.O.O.D.. All laboratories are accredited by several international bodies in order to support exports and the international trade.

The company’s Agricultural Services R&D Department conducts plant propagation material studies, plant protection products residues and efficacy studies, sensory testing, demonstration trials, seeds varieties and hybrids evaluation etc., mainly on behalf of International companies and Contract Research Organizations (CROs).

aMong eUroPe’s LeadIng LaboratorIes

> agroLab rds s.a Integrated laboratory and consulting solutions

GLPGEP

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main sErvicEs> Food Contaminants Lab

> Foodstuff Nutritional Labelling Lab

> Pesticides Residue Lab

> Fats and Oils Lab

> Molecular and Genetic Modifications Organism Lab

> Microbiology Lab

> Sensory Testing Lab

> Plant Protection Products & Fertilizers Lab

> Environmental Lab

> Soil and Plant Tissues Lab

> Food Labelling Legislative Department

> Field Studies

The Blue Flags, the badge of quality for the seaside tourism destinations in Greece, are being awarded by Agrolab.

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Hellenic Farming was founded in 2001, with the participation of the multinational Mitsui & Co, and with a mission to introduce higher standards in the agricultural production of fresh fruit and vegetables.

The company promotes the farm- to-fork model of production cycle: it starts with the optimum propagation material, continues with selecting the most suitable location and cultivation method and ends with high quality, certified produce while securing traceability through the distribution network to the consumer.

In full deployment this model led in 2007 to Lucia, the first branded Greek tomato. Lucia is hydroponically cultivated in a state-of-the-art glass greenhouse, which is both thermally and electrically self-sufficient.

Hellenic Farming develops this model for other crops like Myrto, a premium Greek branded potato. In this way the company offers innova-tive solutions for agricultural production, in full compatibility to GAP and ICM systems –protocols of cultivation, farm supervision, quality control, logistics and after-sales support.

a vIrtUoUs CIrCLe of QUaLIty and effICIenCy

> heLLenIC farMIng s.a

Quality agricultural produce

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1st week of the plantation

AGRITEX Energy S.A is an agricultural high tech company. Its facilities include a 10 hectare, fully automated glass greenhouse for the hydroponic cultivation of tomatoes and a power unit that uses natural gas to coproduce 30 000 MWh of electricity and the thermal energy needed for the entire greenhouse.

By 2007 the Efthymiadis Group was the first to in-troduce this new concept of big scale greenhouses in Greece: they created a fully controlled environ-ment where plants grow hydroponically, totally free of chemical residues, resulting in traceable and safe products for the consumers. The Group aims at further developing and replicating this model throughout Greece.

Cultivation in Agritex-type greenhouses allows for a 12 month nonstop production of fresh veg-etables and fruit, natural pollination with bees, and a plant nutrition scheme that fully recycles the gas emissions created by the production of energy, thus reducing overall CO2 emissions.

With comprehensive know-how in the construc-tion and the operation of these units, the Efthymi-adis Group can support turn-key solutions for investors in Greece and abroad.

greenhoUse Power

> agrIteX energy s.a High tech glass greenhouses

... 15 weeks later

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Κ+Ν EFTHYMIADIS S.AHeadquarters Industrial Area of Thessaloniki PO Box 48, 570 22 Sindos Tel.: +30 2310 568656, Fax: +30 2310 798423 email: [email protected]

Athens facilities 1st km Olympiakou Scopeftiriou road PO Box 13, 190 03 Markopoulo Attica Τel.: +30 22990 63800, +30 22990 63820 Fax: +30 22990 63346 email: [email protected]

Bios Agrosystems s.AHeadquarters Industrial Area of Thessaloniki PO Box 48, 570 22 Sindos Τel.: +30 2310 568844, +30 2310 568800 Fax: +30 2310 797389 email: [email protected]

Xanthi facilities Koutso, 671 00 Xanthi Τel. & Fax: +30 25410 96840-1 email: [email protected]

vITRO HELLAS S.ANiseli Imathias PO Box 31, 593 00 Alexandria Imathia Τel.: +30 23330 24888, +30 23330 27281-2 Fax: +30 23330 26417 email: [email protected]

AgROLAb RDS S.AHeadquarters Industrial Area of Thessaloniki PO Box 48, 570 22 Sindos Τel.: +30 2310 797479, +30 2310 796058 Fax: +30 2310 796623 email: [email protected]

Athens facilities 1st km Olympiakou Scopeftiriou road PO Box 13, 190 03 Markopoulo Attica Τel.: +30 22990 63910, +30 22990 63920 Fax: +30 22990 63544 email: [email protected]

Volos facilities Envirolab IKE 3, Pavlou Mela & Iasonos str. 383 33 Volos Τel.: +30 24210 22945-7 Fax: +30 24210 23894

helleniC fArming s.AIndustrial Area of Thessaloniki PO Box 48, 570 22 Sindos Τel: +30 2310 798647, 795961, 798881 Fax: +302310 796484 email: [email protected]

AgriteX energy s.A2nd km Old National Road Alexandria Thessaloniki PO Box 62, 593 00 Alexandria Imathia Τel.: +30 23330 26989, 22969 Fax: +30 23330 26533 email: [email protected]

Agrolab Βulgaria E.O.O.D. 102, Evlogi & Hristo Georgiev Blvd. 1505 Sofia, Bulgaria Tel: +359 2 8194971, Fax: +359 2 8194971 email: [email protected]

K+N Efthymiadis ltd. Evlogi Georgiev Blvd. 102 1505 Sofia, Bulgaria Tel.: +359 2 8194977 Fax: +359 2 8194970 email: [email protected]

Planta Sh.P.K. Rruga “Vath Korreshi”, Ndërtesa Nr.151 Lagjja “Loni Dhamo” Bashkia LUSHNJE, Albania Tel.: +355 696903079 email: [email protected]

K+N Efthymiadis Srl. Blv. Dacia 109, Apt. 1, Sector 2 Bucuresti, Romania Tel. / Fax: +40 21 2121008 Tel.: +40 21 2120453 email: [email protected]

K+N Efthymiadis (Serbia) Mike Alasa 36, Belgrade, Serbia

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Efthymiadis Agrotechnology Group - 80 years album

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