EPIROTIKI BOTTLING COMPANY S.A.
Epirotiki Bottling Company S.A. (VIKOS S.A.) was founded in 1990 and is one of the most renowned and reputable companies in the bottled water market. Vikos S.A. started business in 1992 by bottling natural mineral water from a homonymous source and distributing it to the Greek and foreign markets, whilst maintaining its position of main supplier to the largest supermarket chains.
Vikos natural mineral water, from the homonymous source, is bottled at source, using the latest machinery and without any human intervention or other processing throughout the procedure, from its pumping until its distribution.
VIKOS S.A. operates two modern factories for bottling water and soft drinks in an area of 110 acres in the district of Zagorochoria which is protected by Π.Δ 26-9-1979. On its own premises, a total surface of 37.500 square meters, the company employs a staff of 254 and operates 9 production lines using the latest technology with a delivery rate of 210.000 liters per hour. The production lines are used to bottle water and soft drinks from the 3 certified sources of natural water.
“VIKOS” and “ZAGOROCHORIA” sources are certified as Natural Mineral Water sources (Identification No. Y2/oik. 478/12.02.96 and DYG2GP113256/17.10.06 respectively). Directly from these sources and without undergoing any process the homonymous Natural Mineral Waters “Vikos” and “ZAGOROCHORIA” are bottled. The 3rd source –the “Sepeta” source- (Authorization No. : 4971/16-4-1997 / D.Y.I.) is used to bottle table water “AB”, “GARGARO”, “EVIVA” and “MARATA” which are distributed to AB Vassilopoulos, METRO, LIDL AND SKLAVENITIS, supermarkets, respectively.
The primary objective of Epirotiki Bottling Company S.A since it started business in 1992 has been to ensure high quality bottled water from pumping to distribution.
All products are manufactured according to the strictest European Union standards and are distinguished for their high quality.
The company has been certified with HACCP (standard Codex Alimentarius 1997) and ISO 9001/2000 since February 2000, with ISO 14001/2004 since March 2003 and with IFS/ver 5: August 2007 since March 2009. All certifications have been awarded by the International Accredited Certification Body “Lloyd's Register” which undertakes six-month surveillance visits to monitor the implementation, effectiveness and development of the Quality Assurance Management Systems
This ensures and demonstrates the company's commitment to offering high quality products and services while protecting the environment.
VIKOS S.A. was the first company in the Greek water bottling market to acquire a HACCP certificate (management system for assurance of hygiene, food safety and control of critical control points during the manufacturing process) in February 2000, according to the Codex Alimentarius 1997.
Additionally, in 2002, and in order to enhance customer service and ensure efficient market coverage during peak season, VIKOS S.A. established subsidiary company IQ BRANDS with distribution and logistic centres in Athens and Thessaloniki. I.Q Brands is further supported by an experienced 12 man sales team which covers the whole of Greece. The privately owned premises, in Metamorfosi Attikis, covering 4.400 square metres in an area of 11 acres have been constructed using materials that offer impermeability and insulation, maintaining the requisite conditions for storing bottled water. The products are distributed by privately owned trucks in order to provide direct services.
All the above exertions led "Vikos" Natural Mineral Water to the top of the Natural Mineral Water market with a 21,1% (in liters) market share. A position it has held since 2006.