Preserving Tradition, Embracing the Future: Charalambides Christis’ Journey as an Industry Leader
An Interview With Managing Director, Marios Konstantinou
Charalambides Christis, a renowned dairy company, has a rich and inspiring history that has shaped its current operations and goals. Established in 1945 as "Charalambides Dairy," the company has evolved over the years to become an exclusively Cypriot industry. In 2011, it underwent a significant transformation through the acquisition of 90% of the share capital of Vivartia (Cyprus) Ltd, merging two of the largest and historical dairy companies in Cyprus, Charalambides Dairies Ltd and Christis Dairies Ltd. This merger marked a milestone for the food sector in Cyprus and demonstrated the company's commitment to growth and innovation.
In an exclusive interview with FFWD, Marios Konstantinou, the Managing Director of Charalambides Christis, sheds light on the company's journey and how its legacy influences its vision for the future. Mr. Konstantinou emphasizes the importance of creating new products, developing technologies, and improving services to meet the evolving needs of consumers. He delves into the company's investment in upgrading its technological infrastructure and modernizing its mechanical equipment, highlighting how this commitment enhances the safety and quality of their products. Furthermore, the Managing Director addresses concerns about animal welfare in the dairy industry, explaining the measures the company has taken to ensure the well-being of productive animals throughout its supply chain.
For over 7 decades, Charalambides Christis, offers “To Kalitero Mas”, respecting the country’s rich and long historical dairy tradition. The company started its operations in 1945, as “Charalambides Dairy” by Takis Charalambides and his son-in-law Evris Nikolaides. In its current form, structure, and composition, as an exclusively Cypriot industry, it has been operating since 2011 by the families of Alexis and Elena Charalambides and Melis Siakolas with the completion of the acquisition of 90% of the share capital of Vivartia (Cyprus) Ltd. This was established in 2008, with the merger of the two largest and historical dairy companies of Cyprus, Charalambides Dairies Ltd and Christis Dairies Ltd. It is worth noting that it was the largest acquisition in the food sector and one of the largest in Cypriot history. In our opinion, creating new products, developing technologies, maximizing productivity, improving services, responding to the needs of the public, and satisfying the need for creativity, are critical ingredients for our society, economy, and prosperity. This is the DNA of our business, which defines Charalambides Christis from its foundation until today.
On a daily basis, we carry out around 650 physicochemical and microbiological analyses
Our facilities are state-of-the-art, utilizing every current innovation in the production process. In the last few years alone, more than €30 million has been invested to renew and modernize our infrastructure. Imagine that, on a daily basis, we carry out around 650 physicochemical and microbiological analyses concerning the control of raw materials, the intermediate stages, the surrounding area, and the final product. We always want to ensure that what leaves our factory is the best, of the highest quality, and the safest for the consumer. That's why all of the 750 employees in our company constantly give their best.
Important to mention here is that the company has proceeded in cooperating with a recognized accredited body, for the certification of the company and its suppliers, according to the private ”ANIMAL WELFARE Standard” for the welfare of productive animals. The program implementation means that the animals that provide us with the valuable raw materials for dairy farming enjoy a good standard of living, health, nutrition, and environment, free from pain, fear, anxiety, and distress. We have already invested in specially trained, qualified staff to monitor and support the farms for their wellbeing, to ensure better welfare of the productive animals, and also to add more value to consumers.
Our products, by their very nature, as dairy products, are integral to the trend of creative cooking. Thus, among other communication tools, we set up a series of interactive activities in social media, under the umbrella of “Cooking Stories” with challenges between well-known cooks, recipe suggestions from the public, and the exchange of ideas via SMS and more. So, our cheeses, yoghurts, creams, and our margarine are recommended in imaginative but simple recipes by beloved chefs. At the same time, Charalambides Christis mobile cooking unit travels all around Cyprus and puts interactive communication into practice.
“The best in our lives” is all about the continuous strengthening of its positive footprint in Cypriot society
It is worth mentioning the Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance criteria that we have adopted at the core of our strategy. The company has designed a comprehensive ESG program, which is being rolled out throughout the company's ecosystem. Consciously, we are committed to implementing the sustainable development strategy, because it is a one-way street for sustainability. We have designed and follow a model that acts as a shield to protect society, its employees, its corporate governance that at the same time opens up the prospect of a better and sustainable future.
The company invests in initiatives and actions that reflect its footprint on society, always based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Μoreover, Charalambides Christis has transformed its philosophy into a vision for sustainable development through the actions of its corporate program of social solidarity and practical contribution, "Symmetochi". Our main message “The best in our lives” is all about the continuous strengthening of its positive footprint in Cypriot society. ‘’SYMMETOCHI’’ has to demonstrate multi-level projects of substantial social contribution and maximization of its contribution to the well-being of socially vulnerable groups.
