Hellenic Dairies

DAIRY FROM THE HEART OF GREECE

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Hellenic Dairies SA has over 35 years’ experience producing high-quality dairy products and other foods from the traditional Greek Mediterranean diet and culture. Managing Director Olympus Dairy UK Ltd Nikolaos Stavropoulos outlined the latest events and products in discussion with Phil Nicholls.

Family-owned Hellenic Dairies SA implements a robust corporate social responsibility strategy with a broad scope across many aspects of the business. One strand of Hellenic Dairies’ CSR is to address the issue of food waste.

“Food is a valuable commodity,” explained Managing Director Olympus Dairy UK Ltd Nikolaos Stavropoulos, “and its production requires the consumption of significant resources. According to current estimates, around one third of the food produced for human consumption globally is wasted or lost, with a consequent economic and environmental cost.”

Hellenic Dairies began in Greece in 1986 and is now owned by the third generation of the Sarantis family. After a few challenging years due to the pandemic, the company is focusing on major investment plans that will shape its future. Hellenic Dairies has over 1,500 employees and exports to more than 45 countries.

At the heart of the Hellenic Dairies’ pro duction capability are five Greek factories. Three facilities in Central Greece produce dairy products, fresh juices, Greek moun tain tea and soft drinks. In northern Greece, Hellenic Dairies has two factories, one for non-dairy products and one producing the award-winning DOUBIA sparkling mineral water. Additionally, the company has one factory in Bulgaria and another in Romania producing dairy lines.

Ethical investments

As part of the long-term CSR strategy at Hellenic Dairies, the company has heavily invested in upgrading its portfolio of fac to ries. “We were the only dairy company in Southeast Europe that has installed an integrated waste treatment and biogas plant into a factory,” said Mr Stavropoulos. “Specifically, the biogas plant was an inno vative investment, unique in Europe within the dairy sector. “Hellenic Dairies invested in another biogas plant for our factory in Romania. These projects show how our corporate social responsibility extends towards the environment and society.

By reducing waste, energy consumption, carbon dioxide production and pollution levels, we contribute to the overall effort to provide a better quality of life for future generations.”

The company continues to enjoy healthy growth. Hellenic Dairies Group turnover in 2021 reached €427 million, continuing the upward trend, from €405 million in 2020 and €372 million in 2019. The first quarter of 2022 saw an 11% increase in turnover compared to 2021.

Olympus brands

“We possess top market shares in all of our product categories,” Mr Stavropoulos explained. “Hellenic Dairies is the largest raw milk collector in Greece and the number one Feta producer. Our strategic brand Olympus has once again received the Business Superbrands Greece 2021-22 award as the leading brand in our sector, certifying the level of consumer trust in our products.”

Alongside the Feta and milk from sheep and goats, the Olympus range also includes additional varieties of cheese and a range of yoghurts. Non-dairy products in the range include fruit juices, Greek mountain tea and nut-based alternatives to milk.

The Olympus brand promotes a healthy diet through its nutritional products, according to Mr Stavropoulos: “We respond to market trends and remain faithful to our be lief in Greek natural products that pro mote a healthy and balanced diet. We are proud to have in our portfolio a full lactosefree range and an organic range, plus plant-based drinks and desserts as part of the Olympus brand. Recently the company presented into the UK market its truly gen uine Greek mountain tea, made from 100% natural ingredients without any preserva tives or additives. It is a caffeine-free herbal beverage ideal to enjoy any time of the day.

“Additionally, in the 2022 Healthy Diet Awards competition, organised by Boussias in Greece, Olympus products won for yet another year. These awards were based on their ingredients, production process, nutritional value and innovation. The winning products were Olympus Kefir, which picked up Gold in the Milk cate gory; Olympus Greek Mountain Tea Light, which received Gold/Platinum in the Light Beverage Products category; and Carpos Oat being awarded Bronze in the Plant-Based Beverage Products category.”

Corporate social responsibility

The quality and innovation of the Olympus brand is part of what distin guishes Hellenic Dairies from the compe tition. Core to the company’s philosophy is the CSR strategy aiming to build a rela tionship of mutual trust with consumers. This CSR is part of a long-term project arising from Hellenic Dairies’ duty to support society and recognise that people are its strength.

CSR is the driving force behind all the company's actions, such as its dedication to the fight against food waste. Hellenic Dairies emphasises prevention, as the benefits of avoiding waste outweigh the costs of dealing with it later. Central to the prevention tactic is raising awareness in employees and their families about

food waste, along with enhancing con sumer knowledge.

The company collaborates across all stakeholder groups in the development and dissemination of best practices to avoid waste. The Hellenic Dairies factory at Trikala in central Greece is certified a “No Waste Facility” by TÜV AUSTRIA

Hellas, which provides independent thirdparty services in the form of technical audits, inspections and certifications.

Hellenic Dairies also has a strong cul ture of food donation to further reduce waste, recognising that donating food is the second-best option before food consti tutes waste.

Finally, even if a food cannot be consumed, the company’s last option is to send it to a biogas plant to turn the food into energy.

Growing into the future

Growth continues at Hellenic Dairies, as Mr Stavropoulos highlighted its dynamic investment plan: “Earlier this year we fully renovated a factory in Trikala pro ducing soft drinks, an investment of more than €14 million. Having installed stateof-the-art equipment, we can produce innovative soft drinks without preserva tives. This launch of Kliafas drinks was awarded Product of the Year in Greece, a special honour as the award comes from the consumers.

“Being a Mediterranean food ambassador, Hellenic Dairies cannot miss the opportunity of including Halloumi in our range. After some delays due to Covid restrictions, we have now started constructing a factory in Cyprus, forecasted to be fully operational early 2024. This is a €40 million investment

and will be the most modern dairy factory in Cyprus.”

Hellenic Dairies has grown into the leading dairy in southeast Europe. This journey was achieved in partnership with its suppliers. “We are here to help our suppliers grow,” Mr Stavropoulos said, “and overcome challenges.”

“One recent example was our decision to help our farmers by providing a credit cover to fulfil their obligations, helping them to cope under these unprecedented conditions. As our owner Mr Sarantis said, ‘we cannot leave the farmers to their fate; they are our partners.’ Otherwise, they would be forced to slaughter their animals.”

The biggest challenge facing Hellenic Dairies is the increasing costs from high inflation rates. However, Mr Stavropoulos considers this an opportu

nity to further increase efficiencies in the company and invest in new equipment to mitigate costs wherever possible. With such a positive attitude within the com pany, then the future of Hellenic Dairies is assured.

“I am excited by the dynamic nature of the food and drink industry business,” concluded Mr Stavropoulos. “Our mission at Hellenic Dairies is to provide safe and high-quality products to our customers; when these efforts are rewarded by our customers, then there is no better feeling.”n