CHARALAMBIDES CHRISTIS - The New Company
Charalambides Christis, is the largest and oldest dairy industry in Cyprus as well as the top leader in food production and distribution. The company, preserving the genuineness of each flavour, over this time has offered products of high nutritional value and quality which are always based on the international quality standards. The quality of Charalambides Christis is internationally recognised with the company actively exporting in 37 countries, making it one of the largest exporting company in the food industry in Cyprus.
Apart from being one of the most powerful industries in Cyprus, Charalambides Christis is also known for its Corporate Social Responsibility. With the practical contribution programme and social solidarity of the company «SYMMETOCHI», it responds nationwide, effectively to the social needs of the whole country.
Charalambides Christis was created through the joint venture of the two largest dairy industries of Cyprus, Charalambides Dairies LTD and Christis Dairies LTD.
In 2011, the company was taken over by Cypriot entrepreneurs, Mr Alexis Charalambides, Menelaos Shakolas and their partners who acquired 90% of the capital stock of the Vivartia company (Cyprus).
The complete acquisition of the company occurred in November 2014, with Charalambides Christis being taken over by 100% Cypriot local people.
This takeover is one of the biggest which occurred within the food industry and one of the most significant ones Cyprus has experienced the past few years.
THE NEW COMPANY - FIGURES
- Turnover: €115 million (2018 figures)
- Local sales: €76 million
- Exports: €40 million in 24 countries worldwide
- More than 700 employees
- Cooperation with 31 of our exclusive cow farmers and more than 100 goat and sheep farmers.
- Annual processing of more than 58 million litres of cow’s milk and 15 million litres of goat’s and sheep’s milk.
The history of Charalambides Dairies
1945. It all started with a cow in a yard, in the house of the Charalambides family, in Agioi Omologites.
1949. Due to expansion, the farm is transferred to Acropolis. The family home becomes a dairy. Larger premises were built in Acropolis and the number of cows increased.
1956. The business is renamed to Charalambides Dairy Farm.
1957. The pasteurization method is used for the first time in Cyprus. The farm is transferred to Lakatamia.
1963. The revolutionary single-use Tetrapak packaging, with a capacity of ½ liter and 250ml, in a triangular shape, is introduced.
1968. The company is renamed to Charalambides Dairies.
1971. The company is pioneering again with the new Gable Top packaging (classic paper packaging) made in collaboration with the Norwegian company Elopak. In the same year, Charalambides Dairies were transferred to new facilities in Lakatamia.
1974. Home delivery stops. Milk is now available at retail.
1980 Skim milk is launched
1985 The second generation of founders takes over the management of the Charalambides company
1990 The company becomes computerized
1992-1993 Campaign with Vicky Koulianou
1996 – Charalambides company is ISO certified
2000 Charalambides company is HACAP quality system certified
2002. Acquisition of Charalambides Dairies Company by the Greek company Delta Food Industries.
2003 – Charalambides milk changes form and introduces the safety cap in paper packaging
2005. The bottle with an average capacity of 1.5 liters is launched.
2006 The brand is launched for the first time in a transparent plastic bottle, while in the same year the mini cow appears on the milk packaging
2007. It is announced that Vivartia submitted a request to the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission for the acquisition of the shares of Christis Dairies. Along with the acquisition of Charalambidis Dairies, the new company Vivartia Cyprus Ltd. is established.
2008. The first milk packages are produced under the Charalambides Christis brand, following the merger of the two largest dairies in Cyprus, Charalambides Dairies LTD and Christis Dairies LTD.
2011. Acquisition of 90% of the company Vivartia Cyprus Ltd by companies of Konstantinos Siacolas Group and the family of Alexis and Elena Charalambides.
2013. Charalambidis Christis innovates, launching the 2-liter milk package with a handle.
In 2013, Charalambidis Christis created the social solidarity and practical contribution program "SYMMETOCHI" (which means Participation), within the framework of the company's social responsibility. A program that highlights the values of social contribution and volunteerism and implements them through multi-level projects and actions.
2014. Complete acquisition; Charalambidis Christis passes at its 100% into Cypriot hands.
2023. The company adopts, one year ahead of its official implementation, the European Directive on the reduction of single-use plastics (SUP). Non-removable lids are placed on all fresh milk packages, always maintaining the important benefits and advantages of fresh milk packages, such as maintaining freshness, product integrity, and easier use, both when opening and closing the package
2025. 80 years since the first bottle of milk, the company is
-the largest and longest-running dairy industry in the country
-the leader in the food production and distribution sector
-the largest exporting company in the food sector, with exports to 37 countries
The history of Christis Dairies
Christis Dairies was founded in 1961 by Mr Christis Georgallidis, who created a small milk pasteurization centre in the centre of Limassol with the main task of milk processing, pasteurization and bottling. The original production was around 300 bottles per day. Over time, the company has implemented innovative production methods through its advanced facilities.
1974 was a milestone for the development of the company as it launched a cheese production facility, addressing the great demand for such products.
In 1985, Christis Dairies moved to a new modern production factory in the area of Agios Athanasios in Limassol.
With the completion of the company’s factory, the industry of Christis Dairiesexpanded its production UHT in 1986.
In 1988, the company started an important export campaign with halloumi cheese, anari cheese and UHT being its main products.
The year of 1995 was a turning point for the company. While examining the strengths of the field, Mr Christis Georgallidis provided 50% of Christis Dairies‘capital stock to the CTC Company. This move had as a main goal the reinforcement of the company’s capital base within the international world which progressed with the signing of the multiannual contracts with the Danish companies ‘’NORDEX’’ and ‘’EMBROG’’ for the halloumi cheese annual production and trading having the UK, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Lebanon, Germany, Greece, the USA, Sweden and more as their main destinations. The list of the export countries is constantly growing.
In 1996, Christis Dairies was certified by the international system of quality assurance ISO 9002.
In 1999, a completely new and super-modern unit for cheese produce was put into operation complete with equipment of the latest technology allowing for the production of a larger variety of top-quality cheese products.
A look at our history through the photographic lense
Our packages over the years
