AEGEAN INTERTRADE

Everything started in 1976 when for the first time a young man named Vassilis Kontos, graduate of the Economic Studies School of the University of Athens, was hired as a marketing executive by EVEPY SA, the biggest Greek producer of soft plastics. Shortly after, he became Director of EVEPY’s export department, which proved to be an excellent education for Mr. Kontos, with sales worldwide (Arab, European, Eastern & overseas countries, as well as the most well known African and Asian countries). When he decided to begin his personal quest in sales of Greek industrial products (the food sector followed 3-4 years later), he had already gained noteworthy experience in exports (public services, export laws, insurance issues, cargo issues and international trade regulations), as well as precious personal contacts in Chambers, Embassies, Ministries, Monetary Institutions, Customs Offices etc. His entire professional activity (individually as well as with the companies he later founded), involved exclusively the export trade and shipping procedures, while several companies requested his professional assistance in demanding export cases (triangular sales, representation in International Expos, organization of export departments, export funding etc). In about the Spring of 1985, an importer from Vancouver in western Canada expressed interest in a wide range of Greek foods and thus began the “long journey” of selling Greek foods, by establishing AEGEAN INTERTRADE. Amongst the first companies he cooperated were Chaitoglou Bros, Kafetex (Brazita coffee), Astron Messinias, EVEK SA (MINOA olive oil), Katsakoulis (Irina, Nissa olive oil), Nakos Kostas (olives), Pelekan, Avez, Tsougos (Volos halvas), EGS Kolimvariou (Crete olive oil) and other companies, some of which no longer exist. Since then, our office has been oriented towards expanding our clientele as well as the number of industries that we represent abroad. For over 15 years, promotional trips and participation through our own stands at International Expos have helped many now well known Greek companies start and establish their presence in demanding foreign markets. Below we give some examples of – now well-known – companies, the products of which were first presented abroad hosted at the stands of our company in international food & drinks Expos such as ANUGA (KÖLN), IFE (LONDON), FANCY FOOD SHOW (NEW YORK): Coca Cola Hbc SA (AMITA juices), Nestle (LOUMIDIS coffee, KORPI water), Agrino (rice, legumes), Panoutsopouli Bros (Stella pasta), Kikizas Sa (Melissa pasta), Amalthia (olives, olive oil), vinegar PAROS, EGS Kolimvariou, PERLA (sea salt), SYNPE :Melissokomiki”, Omega Ltd (lemon juice), Kalloni SA (fish products), Spyridis SA (OSCAR nuts), CH.Koutras SA (Chef Grec salads), Giotis SA (Captain’s spice), Ververi SA (fest Vigla cheese, current factory DELTA), Souroti (mineral water), Sarandis SA (conserves), Porto Carras (new address), Bingo SA etc. In recent years, in organizing, modernizing and developing the company, Kostis and Grigoris Kontos have made significant contributions; they are both highly educated graduates of business studies and eager to promote leading Greek food products in new markets. Greek products and their international presence in recent years acquire a new dynamic and all signs indicate that the “journey” of our company still has a long road ahead...