Describe your business course to us. It was difficult in the years that passed;
I will describe the business course of Agamemnon in a quick history:
Agamemnon Pitenis was born on 20-12-1936 in Kozani. Benjamin was among five brothers, 3boys and 2 of girls, by Kapnergates parents, in the profession, that poverty and the need to survive brought them from the mountainous and then inaccessible Samarina to the city of Kozani, at the beginning of the last century. In the then difficult years of occupation, that followed after his birth, the little ‘Menios’, as they called him, from 7 For years he helped as much as he could in the cafe owned by his two older brothers, carrying coffee in neighborhood stores.
The great misery of Dimitris' Father, it was: ‘One of his children to study’. But work and school could not go hand in hand. After a, because of work, failed year at Valtadorio High School and after it had reached High School Tuesday, his father decides, little Agamemnon to continue as an inmate in the then famous Trabatseio Boarding School and High School of Siatista.
With his restless and creative spirit, that from a young age distinguished him, Agamemnon was distinguished for his performances in classic and team sports. The volleyball teams & Basketball of Siatista, created at that time under the leadership of Agamemnon Pitenis, went down in history for their distinctions. particularly, the Volleyball team, remained undefeated in all 3 years that Agamemnon remained as its leader. Despite his qualifications and despite the support of his teachers, the stone years of post-civil war Greece, did not give him the opportunity to enter the gymnastics academy, which was his great desire! Alongside, before even graduating from the Trabzon Boarding School, his father Dimitrios dies, leaving the entire large family and its responsibilities in their hands 2 his older boys.
The army followed and after the end of his military service as a Reserve Officer he enters the business arena., starting businesses either with his brother Konstantinos Pitenis, or with third party partners.
1953-1993 – Establishment of the grocery store ‘Pitenis’, with his brothers John and Constantine, whose daughters run the business to this day. The 1993 resigns due to expansion of the current food business.
1961-1963 – Establishment of the nut company ‘Pitenis – Tsikritzis ’, with Mr. Lazaros Tsikritzis as a partner, which exists and operates to this day by his son Nikolaos Tsikritzis. The 1963 resigns from business when his brother Konstantinos undergoes stomach surgery and is forced to work alone in the grocery store.
1968-1973 – Establishment of history, for the city of Kozani, ‘El-Greco’ coffee, together with his brother Constantinos and his friend and best man Stefanos Pafas. Coffee ‘El-Greco’ existed, with the same name until a few years ago. The 1973 resigns because it has already begun, a year ago, to try to produce today's ‘Pitenis’ Salads and realizes that it is close to success.
1971-1972 – Establishment of Disco ‘Tiffani’s’ which was a great success and resonated with the world, but which he sells, a year later when, after working in the morning at the grocery store, in the afternoon at the cafeteria and in the evening at the Disco, realizes that the 2 his then young children, 3χρ. & 2χρ., they call him ‘grandfather’, calling his father-in-law ‘daddy’.
All these successful, for the season, his business activities nurtured him, they inspired and instilled in him the principles and values of entrepreneurship that are none other than the love for what he does, the hard work, patience, perseverance and vision for the future.
In the middle of 1972 not being able the Thessaloniki supplier of salad to meet the increased needs of the grocery store, gives the idea to Agamemnon to try to make his own recipes on his own. His first attempts were fruitless since he did not even have the knowledge, nor was there anyone to help him. But his stubbornness and perseverance led him to turn a small warehouse behind his house into a small salad shop.. After many experiments, endless nights out, and many failed attempts, slowly – he slowly managed to create his own recipes. So his new creations began to be sold through the grocery store and to be admired by the consumer public of Kozani.
So, the 1975, decides to establish the ‘Piteni’ Salad Craft, in which he includes his brother inside, now officially transferring the production to a new location just 150 sq.m.. So, the small workshop obtained a license and the salads ‘Pitenis’ personality.
1975-1988 - Along with his then business qualities, the ‘busy’ and ‘tireless’ Agamemnon decides to get involved in the commons of his place. So the 1975 is elected President of the 11th Primary School of Kozani where he is continuously re-elected until 1988 who decides to retire. The 11th Primary School of Kozani at that time, honors him with the title of ‘Honorary President’. also, the 1978 is elected Municipal Councilor of Kozani and assumes the position of Vice President of the Municipal Council, where it remains until 1982.
The 1985, when demand in the city has already peaked, transferred to new facilities of 300 sq.m., in Koila, Kozani, getting started, at the same time, the first itineraries outside Kozani within the Prefectures of Western Macedonia.
1993 – The ‘Pitenis’ Salad Craft passes exclusively into the hands of Agamemnon, on the occasion of the participation in the company of the first, of the four, of his son, granting his participation in the grocery store as well as other assets, in return, to his brother. Customers are constantly expanding and ‘Pitenis’ salads are gaining fanatical friends.
1995 – They have already returned 3 from 4 his sons from their studies and, all together, decide to move the craft to larger and modern facilities of total area 14.000 sq.m., with building facilities 2.000 sq.m., participating with a program in the Development Law, to be able to meet the growing demand of the local market for salads and to enrich the range of products produced, transforming it into a societe anonyme with the name to date ‘Bros A.. Piteni SA - Food Industry '.
1998 – The fourth son has returned from his studies and he is also added to the staff of ‘Afoi A. Piteni SA ', which has already completed the financing program and is working on its new facilities. The production already has in its assets 19 new salad recipes but also 3 new product lines: Fish and Clams in oil, Stuffed Pickles with Cheese and Dressings, surpassing in their entirety 100 codes. So Agamemnon, now 65, decides to retire, now having at the helm of the company four worthy successors who are also, like their father, from a young age they participated in the daily agony of their parents, in this difficult but at the same time beautiful struggle of the constant effort for the best,.
"My constant and daily effort, with the help of my wife as well as my four children, led me all these difficult years to overcome the obstacles and difficulties that appeared from time to time "
Or Agamemnon stated at every opportunity!
But a more worthy companion, supporter, Agamemnon's great love has been a tireless helper and animator all these years, Theodora. His beloved wife who from 15 her years never missed him in both joys and sorrows, who worthily met many roles at the same time, of the Housewife whose house was always open to everyone, of the Mother who raised and raised four young men but also of a worthy husband, assistant and supporter in her husband's business activities.
But the 'unjust' luck did not give her the opportunity to enjoy, with her favorite ‘Menio’, as she called him, for the coming years the joy of their common creation, the achievements worthy of their four children today continue, bringing ‘Pitenis’ products throughout Greece, Cyprus, Europe and around the world. The 2000 in a random examination diagnose breast cancer and despite all the efforts the whole family makes together to save her, in a thousand and two ways, finally succumbs to 2006.
On the 8th of January 2010 the Commercial & Kozani Chamber of Industry decides, as a minimum honorable recognition of his successful business activity, which continues to this day by his sons, and is an example and moral motivation for the youngest entrepreneurs of Kozani for great investment and export achievements, his award, along with four other prominent businessmen of the Prefecture:
"Dear Menio, for the Management of the chamber and for all the young entrepreneurs you are a model entrepreneur, Worthy Family Leader and Man with ideals and values.
For your great work and for your contribution to the Economic Life of our place, we offer you a minimal honorary distinction. ”
What has changed in production from yesterday to today;
The whole production process was greatly simplified. The means of production have been modernized, working conditions changed as many processes were automated and thus greatly reduced the production time we needed until yesterday compared to today. We could definitely go for more automation, but at a cost in quality, because there are processes that can not be done as by hand. This is delayed, Somehow, the development of the company, but at the same time gives its products timelessness, thanks to the high quality of its final products!
Local products. What place do they occupy in the preferences of consumers;
All these years we have acquired fanatical consumers in the wider local market of Western Macedonia. From the years we did production in their small workshop 300 sq.m.. salads, but even older, the Kozanites, the people of Grevena, The people of Kastoria and the people of Florina loved our flavors and are still preferred even by the younger generations. Western Macedonia, however, is a region that demands high quality food, despite all the difficulties it has as an area, such as the highest unemployment in Greece. But it does not give in to cheaper food solutions.
"We are very happy but also indebted for the love and support we have received over the years from the local market."
What are the strengths of Greek products?;
Greek products are famous for their quality as well as for their uniqueness. The Feta, the Olive Oil, Mastic, the Crocus, the above 3.500 unique beneficial herbs and a host of other products, as well as Tourism, are the aces up the sleeve of Greece. We have the advantage of having unique products in our country, most of which you do not find anywhere else in the world. Combined with the evolution of technology, of their know-how and quality in recent years, but also by maintaining their traditional status, are the strong points to be exploited by Greek companies which with extroversion must conquer the markets around the world.
What do you think should be the response of Greek companies to the current crisis?;
I believe that Greek companies, being more modernized, should intensify their extroversion and turn their attention to foreign markets. It is a space that if evaluated and utilized properly with the use of market research, but also by exploring young people, is I believe the easiest way to escape from the current crisis that afflicts almost all sectors of the Greek and world economy. Of course, it presupposes the use of Factoring services or other insurance organizations, for credit security.
However, it has great growth potential which, with the right handling, will enable Greek companies not only to respond to the current crisis but also to continue their upward course..
Piteni Bros SA, the 2009, responded to the crisis by turning it 70% of sales growth in foreign markets, resulting in close with approx +8% sales increase.
I am very upset when I hear that Greek companies had a significant drop in their exports, in view of the current crisis. If I did not have the results of our effort I would say ‘Yes, something is going on', but as I mentioned before our results were positive and even when the 90% new contacts and consequently new sales took place via the internet!
But I would like to give one piece of advice to all Greek Entrepreneurs:
‘We should never lose love for the product or service we produce because then none of the above will consent to success!'
Are you optimistic about the future of doing business in Greece?;
‘Business’ in Greece has always depended and will continue to depend on two factors. While on the one hand Greece is a country that offers many business opportunities, and its location, between 3 continents, and with its very rich land, and with its endless beauties, And much more, comes from the other side, the inaccessible and cumbersome bureaucratic system combined with the multiplicity to make the life of the newly established, but also of the present companies, really difficult! If the current government does not solve its problems first and second, it does not facilitate the operational, the future of ‘business’ in Greece will continue to be ominous. The bureaucratic system is supposed to have been recently simplified. If this is true then we have already taken an important step forward.
As for the crisis: I would like to emphasize that everything that has a beginning has an end. All we have to do is be patient and with very careful movements, without recklessness and thinking exclusively and only business, for our companies and those who make them up, and only then will we succeed in its times.