Kebia was established in 1964 by Cypriot Kikis Efthymiou and Thessaloniki-born Vasilis Iatropoulos, who were united by strong bonds of friendship due to their common bonds as migrants to Sydney in the mid-1950s.
The two friends and partners began their work with small steps and big dreams and that is why today Kebia has developed into one of the largest import and distribution companies with a network that stretches around Europe.
Mr Efthymiou, in a special publication dedicated to the Sydney branch, said, “I saw a bright future for Kebia. Every time the Patris docked, letting out 1,500 migrants from Greece to Sydney, I saw 1,500 potential clients. As the Greek community grew, so did the business which was connected all the more tightly with our community. Kebia became the best customers of Greece.”
The products include traditional Greek staples: olives, olive oil, feta and ethnic specialty grocery products. It was on a trip to Cyprus that Mr Efthymiou found the opportunity to start importing haloumi.
“I remember being moved when we put up, for the first time, an advertising stand with haloumi over David Jones. My wife, Froso, along with Elli Kambou, and another friend offered haloumi to customers at the department store dressed in traditional Cypriot costumes. Today, everyone uses haloumi. Even McDonalds adds it to their burgers,” he writes.
Change of guard
For around half a century, the two friends managed Kebia with great success. In 2008, they felt the need to retire and transferred the responsibility to Michael Georgiadis, who is the current Managing Director, and Lakis Adamou.
Over the decades, the company widened its scope, and its global reach is stronger than ever, giving the company the capability to be agile in supplying quality food products from around the world to valued customers.
Kebia’s long term relationships with both international manufacturers and local customers continues in this tradition. While continuing to grow its trusted brands (KI, Cypriana, Altis) the company has also evolved into private labels specialist. With collaborations with Altis, Elite, Hellas, Antoniou, Bravo and Cypriana, Kebia is a go-to place for people hankering for a taste of Greece.
For more info, visit https://www.kebia.com.au/