History

In 1976, the Grigoriou brothers founded the GRIGORIOU meat products company in Potamitissa.  The family was involved in the manufacture of meat products there for 30 years until 1978 when they moved the plant to Ypsonas.
 
In 1990, they brought their factory into line with the European specifications of the time and, in 1992, applied the HACCP system for food hygiene and safety for the first time.
 
In 1997, Grigoriou began cooperation with Greece’s largest delicacy company, P.G. NIKAS S.A., for the production and merchandising of unique, top quality NIKAS products at the Grigoriou factory.  The move also boosted Grigoriou’s standing ahead of the impending European challenge and free market economy.
 
In 2000, the company introduced new state-of-the-art production facilities, some of the most advanced in Europe.  GRIGORIOU and NIKAS delicacies are prepared at these plants to strict hygienic standards by a dedicated and highly-trained workforce of 110 people.
 
Apart from producing a large variety of European style foodstuffs, the Grigoriou family tradition of preparing local Cypriot products continues.  These are still made with the exact same recipes used by the country houses of Cyprus – the only change being the strict application of continuous scientific controls.
 
In 2002, Grigoriou became the first Cypriot company to implement the three management systems of the internationally recognised organisations, CYS, ELOT and IQNET.  Grigoriou B.E. Ltd, is applying the certified system HACCP for food hygiene and safety according to the ELOT 1416 model.  A quality management system according to the ELOT EN ISO 9001 international system and an environmental management system according to the ELOT EN ISO14001 international model.
 
The application of these systems, the strictly enforced quality controls and the carefully conceived modernization and automation programs for production and packaging, continue to ensure the high quality of the company’s products.

In May 2005 a huge fire, caused by accident, destroys almost completely the company’s factory in Ypsonas, Lemesos.

 

Nine months later the reconstruction works of the building begin. The new industrial plant is made of reinforced concrete prefabricated units and panels made by special fire-resistant polyurethane (PIR). This new construction method surpasses on fire safety and provides high antiseismicity.

 

In November 2006 the new state-of-the-art industrial plant is ready. It takes up a total area of 8000 square meters and begins its operation once again with the strict application of the three certified systems HACCP, ISO 9001 & ISO 14001.  

 

In June 2007 the company proceeds with the transition from the ELOT 1416 (HACCP) standard for food hygiene and safety to the new international standard ISO 22000, and is successfully being re-evaluated in the implementation of the ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 standards. The following year receives its fourth certification for OHSAS 18001, for Occupational Health & Safety.

In 2008, due to P.G. NIKAS decision to disengage from regional investments, the Grigoriou family bought back its share. The company continues to produce and distribute the NIKAS products in the Cypriot market.