ACTIVE GREECE 2016 - EXPORT LEADERS
Miscellaneous Industrial
BIC VIOLEX SA
Producing 70% of BIC razor blades in Greece
Dimitrios Pisimisis
BIC, one of the most recognized brand names in the world, specializes in the manufacturing distribution and selling of consumable products in 160 countries all over the world. VIOLEX launched its operations in 1952 as a small family-run business owned by the Politis family, manufacturing shaving razor blades. In the 1970s, Anastassios Politis joined Violex’s forces with the French group BIC, which had made major impact with its disposable ballpoint pen. Violex remained a Greek firm, and was renamed Violex BIC. In 1999, the firm was acquired by BIC group but BIC VIOLEX remained a purely Greek firm. The company is now globally managed by Greek executives, while its products are 100 percent made in Greece. BIC Violex SA is headed by CEO Dimitrios Pisimisis. Today, BIC Violex serves as the international centre for the BIC group’s razor blades division, employing a staff of 1,200. Seventy percent of BIC’s razors for global market are designed and manufactured in Athens. Therefore, it can be asserted that an entirely Greek product dominates markets in all five continents. Essentially, production procedures of all of BIC’s razor blade shaving products begin in Greece, by a Greek firm that maintains four production facilities in the wider Athens district of Anixi, where the products are designed and manufactured. The location is also home to BIC’s R&D department. The France-based parent company, Société BIC SA, produces writing products, lighters, and razors with sales in 160 countries covering all continents, from developed to developing markets. Its BIC products are available at as many as 3.2 million retail outlets, while 9,200 persons are employed by the company worldwide. In 2014, BIC Violex saw its sales inch up to 167 million euros against 166 million euros a year earlier. However, its pre-tax income dropped to 30 million euros compared to 36 million euros in 2013.
Contact Details 58 Ag. Athanassiou, Anixi 145 69, Attiki Τel: +30 210629 9000 Fax: +30 2106216808 Website: http://gr.bicworld.com/
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