The historic Pavlidis factory, the first sokolatopoiia of Greece and one of the first industrial complexes in the country, member of the international group Mondelēz International, visited the Ambassador of the United States to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle.
According to a statement, the Ambassador was received by Ivo Naydenov, VP & Managing Director South Central Europe, Marina Hadrovic, Managing Director Greece and Cyprus, Anna Skandali, Managing Director of Argostasiou Pavlidis, Venia Zafolia, Head of Corporate and Government Affairs South Central Europe and Danae Drossou, Corporate & Government Affairs Manager Greece and Cyprus.
During her visit, the Ambassador took a tour of the factory and was informed about the presence and activities of Mondelēz International in Greece.
The factory is located on the same site where it was built in 1876, on Piraeus Street, and today, with more than 150 years of uninterrupted operation, it is one of the most robust chocolate production industries. The parent group Mondelēz International, a leading force in the snacking industry globally, has three production facilities, a technological research and development (R&D) centre and an international cybersecurity centre in Greece, which is the administrative centre of South-Central Europe.
Ambassador Guilfoyle said: “I am grateful to Mondelēz International for the invitation to visit the historic Pavlidis Chocolate Factory. The company’s operations in Greece are a practical demonstration of the contribution of U.S. investment in the Greek economy through job creation and the production of products that incorporate the best elements of both our markets.”
Mrs. Hadrovic stated: “It is a great honor to welcome the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Ms. Kimberly Guilfoyle, to the Pavlidis factory in Athens. As the first chocolate factory in Greece, Pavlidis carries a proud and pioneering legacy dating back to the 19th century, which has made it a timeless part of the country’s industrial and cultural identity for generations.
According to the same announcement, this visit best illustrates the dynamic partnership between the US and the domestic market, where US investment in capital and technology is combined with a deep respect and commitment to preserving the local heritage and historic brands that have been cherished by generations of Greeks.
The Ambassador’s visit expresses a genuine interest in the role entrepreneurship plays in strengthening relationships, and we believe it paves the way for meaningful dialogue and new opportunities for collaboration in the future.”
With a history of 185 years, Pavlidis Chocolateis the first chocolate made in Greece by Spyridon Pavlidis. Pavlidis factory is a modern facility where the favourite chocolate and praline brands Pavlidis, Lacta, Merenda are manufactured, with leading shares in their categories. The factory, with modern equipment and production processes, energy, water and recycling management programs, is certified with international food safety systems and has been honored with safety, efficiency and productivity awards. And it has been a benchmark for modern production processes in school education programs for 30 years.
Mondelēz International is one of the leading global food conglomerates with net revenues of $38.5 billion by 2025. With a presence in more than 150 countries, it offers consumers snacks through a portfolio of both global and local brands (from cookies and baked snacks Oreo, Ritz, LU, Clif Bar to Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolates).
Mondelēz South-Central Europe, headquartered in Greece, comprises 12 countries and employs more than 4.000 employees in 6 factories and 7 headquarters.
In Greece, the company has been operating for more than three decades with three factories, the R&D technology center and the international cybersecurity center, and employs more than 1,000 people. Its portfolio includes brands such as Lacta, Pavlidis, Kiss and 3BIT chocolates, 7Days and Molto croissants, Merenda and Spin Span jam.
