The president of SEV, Spyros Theodoropoulos, the chair of its Executive Committee, Rania Aikaterinari, and other officials from the federation visited the facilities and state-of-the-art factory of Papastratos in Aspropyrgos. The visit was part of SEV’s ongoing engagement with Greek export businesses and its efforts to highlight the challenges and prospects facing domestic production.
During the visit, the SEV president and delegation were shown around the company’s facilities and briefed on the factory’s operations, the advanced technologies used in production, and its investment activity and export focus.
With a 95-year history in Greece and investments of more than €700 million since 2017, Papastratos has transformed its factory in Aspropyrgos into an export hub for alternative tobacco and nicotine products that do not involve combustion.
Today, more than 90% of its output is destined for international markets, strengthening the position of Greek industry globally and making a substantial contribution to the national economy. Papastratos contributes the equivalent of 0.42% of Greek GDP and 1% of the country’s total goods exports.
During the visit, discussions covered SEV’s initiatives to strengthen the competitiveness and productivity of Greek industry. Specific issues affecting the sector and the Aspropyrgos industrial zone were also raised.
The visit concluded with an open discussion between SEV president Spyros Theodoropoulos and Papastratos chief executive Tina Davou, attended by company executives.
Papastratos chief executive Tina Davou said: “It was a particular pleasure and honour to welcome the SEV president, along with a delegation of the federation’s leadership and executives, to our facilities and to discuss the challenges and prospects facing Greek industry, as well as the problems in the Aspropyrgos industrial area.
Papastratos’ 95-year history highlights the importance of adaptability, long-term strategy and innovation.
For Greek industry to realise its full potential, it needs modern infrastructure and an institutional framework that supports investment to strengthen competitiveness, increase productivity and create the conditions for a resilient production model. SEV has a pivotal role to play in this effort.”
SEV Chairman of the Board Spyros Theodoropoulos said: “Papastratos is a prime example of the production model the country needs: high-value-added investment, advanced technology and a strong export focus. Greece needs more investment of this kind.
Investment that boosts productivity, strengthens the competitiveness of Greek industry and creates stable, high-quality, well-paid jobs.”