C.A.PAPAELLINAS

92 years

Integrity, responsibility, innovation

The C.A.Papaellinas Group has run through nine decades of life, its roots going back to 1929. Today it has evolved into a multifaceted group, with a leading position in the health and beauty sectors.

History, present and future

The history of C.A.PAPAELLINAS sets off in 1929 when brothers Christakis, Costas and Yiorgos Papaellinas, along with their sister’s husband Yiorgos Drymiotis, begin a medicines import business.

1931 was a landmark for the company, as they launched cooperation with global pharmaceutical giant Sandoz Chemicals (today’s Novartis), followed by ventures with other major companies in the pharmaceutical industry, including Organon.

Christakis Papaellinas

In 1948 the company expanded in the cosmetics field, importing the Max Factor products to Cyprus.

The 2nd generation

In the 1950s, the children of Christakis, Andreas and Athos, return from their studies and take over the task of transforming a family business to a dynamic organisation. So 1954 sees the official establishment of C.A.Papaellinas, which did legally exist as a partnership.

In 1954, the Group launches cooperation with Kimberly Clark and imports Kleenex to Cyprus.

This is followed by a series of targeted business moves, with the Group becoming a general representative of Kimberly Clark in Cyprus, maintaining the sole distribution of its products to this very day.

Sitting is Christakis Papaellinas and standing, first from left, Yiorgos Papaellinas, third Costas Papaellinas and fourth, Yiorgos Drymiotis

Internationally recognised brands such as Kleenex are available on the island, with the methodical expansion of the Group’s activities, also covering the consumer products and cosmetics sectors.

In 1964 Christakis Papaellinas dies prematurely and his children take over the company, which in the meantime, also expanded to Greece, in the field of cosmetics.

The same year, yet another landmark in the history of the company, was the launching of cooperation with pharmaceutical company Beecham Research International (today’s  GlaxoSmithKline).

The next few years saw significant growth in the pharmaceuticals sector with the Group securing sole distribution of Servier and Sanofi France products. The companies are represented by the Group to this day.

Τhe Group introduces Max Factor Cosmetics to Cyprus in 1948.

The 3rd generation at the helm

In 1997, following the Andreas Papaellinas decision to go into the supermarket business, his son Christos Papaellinas takes over the administration of C.A.Papaellinas, having a dynamic growth vision: strengthen the Group in the Health and Beauty sectors.

In the timeline of events, a decision of crucial importance was the creation of the PharmacyLine distribution centre.

At a time when pharmaceutical companies were merging their operations for the storage and distribution of medicines, the Group managed to maintain autonomy through its own modern distribution centre, aimed at effectively dealing with the need for medicines storage and distribution services.

The company expands its activities to consumer and cosmetic products in 1960.

This in turn, did allow, over the next few years, the launching of cooperation with major strategic partners for the storage and distribution of their products, including Novartis and Sanofi. PharmacyLine became one of the biggest medicines distribution centres in Cyprus.

At a later stage, further strengthening its position in the health sector, the Group dynamically entered the consumer healthcare market through a series of significant partnerships with international giants, such as GlaxoSmithKline (Panadol, Voltaren Gel, Sensodyne) and Perrigo Omega Pharma (Solpadeine, Physiomer, Lactacyd).

Τheir distinguished products were met with excellent reception in the Cyprus market.

Beauty Line, the next major step

The next chapter was the expansion of the C.A.PAPAELLINAS Group to retail trade. The landmark year was 1997, when the first Beauty Line store opened its doors, marking the start for the creation of an innovative network of stores that has revolutionised and continues to change the sector’s realities.  With 16 stores across Cyprus,  Beauty Line remain the epitome of the group’s business strategy in retail trade. They are the basis on which strong, timeless relations of trust have been built with the Cypriot consumer.

The establishment of the Beauty Line network, also in the 90s, was yet another landmark.

Holland & Barrett

Fast approaching today, in 2010 the Group saw yet further growth, securing the representation in Cyprus of Holland & Barrett, a leading UK company in the retail trade of vitamins and food supplements.

In the years to come, the Group will further strengthen its retail trade position with forty stores nationwide, made of the brands Beauty Line, Holland & Barrett, Yves Rocher, Selekt Beauty and Beauty Outlet.

Έναρξη λειτουργίας της αλυσίδας καταστημάτων βοτανικών προϊόντων ομορφιάς YVES ROCHER (2013).

In the framework of its business activities, the Group also records a dynamic presence in the food and beverage sector. It provides the Cypriot consumer with renowned products that stand out for quality, such as La Molisana, Riso Gallo, GAEA, Tabasco, Eliochori, St.Dalfour and Pelini. In addition, the group’s range include consumer products in the health, baby care and senior citizens care sectors.

Distribution

Over the past few years, the Group has also expanded in the field of distribution. Having built a modern centre with an area of 14 thousand square meters, as well as a repackaging unit, C.A.Papaellinas Logistics Services Ltd provide quality services with credibility, flexibility and safety.

In 2014, C.A.PAPAELLINAS is awarded with Excellent Performance in the Transport & Logistics Awards.

Α sustainable development strategy

Looking to the future, the C.A.Papaellinas group is implementing a sustainable development strategy, namely the transformation of its operations, the digital transition, the growth of its own people, a client-centered philosophy and the setting out of its business goals, consistent with environmental protection and coupled with social sensitivity and action.

As C.A.Papaellinas puts it: ‘the Group is moving to the future and serving a timeless principle; making as many people as possible live and feel beautiful’.

Amongst the Group’s numerous awards, is the Investors in People Platinum. C.A. Papaellinas Group received the Platinum accreditation twice which is the highest level of accreditation possible to achieve on the ‘We Invest in People’ accreditation, and is something only 2% of organizations achieve.

1929

  • Founding of parent company C.A. Papaellinas Ltd.

1931

  • Launch of cooperation with Sandoz Chemicals.

1933

  • Launch of cooperation with Organon Pharmaceuticals.
  1. 1948.
  • Introduction of Max Factor cosmetics to Cyprus.

1954

  • Launch of cooperation with Kimberly Clark and importing of Kleenex to Cyprus.

1960

  • Expansion of the Group’s activities to the consumer and cosmetic products sectors.

1963

  • Launch of cooperation with Beecham Pharmaceuticals and introduction of the ‘Penbritin’ penicillin antibiotic.

1965

  • Expanding of cooperation with Beecham, producing, amongst others, the well known products Brillcream and Vozin.

1997

  • Establishment of Demetriades & Papaellinas consortium.
  • Opening of the first Beauty Line store.

2002

  • Establishment of PharmacyLine.
  • Establishment of a joint venture and company named ‘Kapakiotis & Papaellinas’.

2009

  • Social Excellence Award.

2010

  • Acquisition of Demetriades and Papaellinas.
  • Operation of a new consumer products distribution centre.
  • Best Workplace Award.
  • Introduction of the ‘Corporate Social Responsibility Evaluation’ and publication of the ‘1st Corporate Social Responsibility Evaluation’, with bi-annual publication thereafter.

2011

  • Awarded with the widely recognised certification ‘INVESTORS IN PEOPLE’.
  • HOLLAND AND BARRETT stores open.

2012

  • ‘Green Leader’ award: Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Imprint and Communication in CSR Evaluation.

2013

  • Opening of YVES ROCHER botanical beauty products chain of stores.
  • Operation of new distribution and repackaging units of PHARMACYLINE medications.

2014

  • Strategic partnership with Diakinisis in the 3PL services provision sector.
  • New modern Kleenex production unit.
  • Excellence Performance Award in Transport & Logistics Awards.
  • Awarded with the widely recognised certification «INVESTORS IN PEOPLE».

2015

  • New chains of SELEKT stores.
  • The first MAKE UP STUDIO store opens.

2017

  • Establishment of BC Butterfly Cosmetics Ltd.

2018

  • Distinguished with the highest international human personnel award, Investors In People Platinum.

2019

  • Distinction in Cyprus HR Awards 2019 with a Gold award for Excellence in Leadership Development and a bronze award in Innovative Use of HR Technologies.
  • Two distinctions at Cyprus Responsible Business Awards 2019 in categories ‘Social Actions’ and ‘Training-Scholarships’.
  • Acquisition of the Karpasia Health Products Ltd share capital.
  • Expansion of the C.A.PAPAELLINAS cooperation with leading Japanese cosmetics house Shiseido, by taking over the exclusive Shiseido distribution in Cyprus.

2020

  • Two Beauty Outlet stores open in Nicosia and Limassol.
  • Two golden awards at HR AWARDS 2020 in categories ‘More innovative use of technology in HR’ and ‘Excellence in the workplace well being’.

2021

  • Recertification with the highest human personnel distinction INVESTORS IN PEOPLE PLATINUM
  • Full representation in Cyprus of the global biopharmaceutical firm SANOFI on General Medicine and Special Care products.

Social action

C.A.PAPAELLINAS has recorded major social action throughout its history.
Was asked the company’s CEO Christos Papaellinas on the importance of corporate social responsibility for the company and how it translates to various actions and activities

Through ongoing investments in the further education and growth of its employees, C.A.Papaellinas has been recognised with the highest human personnel award, namely Investors In People Platinum, based on the Investors in People standard.

‘We recognise that the only way to secure on-going and sustainable development for our Group is harmonising our business goals with social prosperity’.

Amongst the Group’s numerous awards, is the Investors in People Platinum. C.A. Papaellinas Group received the Platinum accreditation twice which is the highest level of accreditation possible to achieve on the ‘We Invest in People’ accreditation, and is something only 2% of organizations achieve.

‘To this end’, he added, ‘we aim at close cooperation with interested parties and the local community, supporting their viable growth. Within such a framework,

-we develop relevant activity and provide substantive and targeted funding to areas such as health, education and sports,

-invest in local suppliers and

-encourage volunteerism by our employees.

To us, C.A.PAPAELLINAS, Corporate Social Responsibility is an expression of the right business practice’.

Integrity, responsibility, innovation

The C.A.Papaellinas Group has run through nine decades of life, its roots going back to 1929. Today it has evolved into a multifaceted group, with a leading position in the health and beauty sectors. The portfolio includes medication, cosmetics and consumer products with a network of stores as well as provision of distribution services. We spoke with the Group’s CEO Christos Papaellinas, on the historical course, today’s position and future plans.

The Group’s CEO Christos Papaellinas.

What’s it like being head of a group with such a long and prestigious history?Είναι μεγάλη η ευθύνη απέναντι τόσο στην ιστορική διαδρομή του Ομίλου, όσο και στην προοπτική εξέλιξής του για το μέλλον.

It is a great responsibility towards the Group’s historical course as well as its future prospects. Every single day is a constant effort at responding to the expectations of clients, associates and what’s more our own people, who have built and connected their professional career with the Group’s progress over time. Every day is also a constant leadership challenge, making the right choices.

Timeless values

What does all this history bring to the fore today as well as the future?

Through the history of this organisation, we have forged the values that guide the implementation of our mission. These values form the basis of every decision. Our points of reference are the values integrity, responsibility, innovation, passion and simplicity. It is the common tool of action on which we build the foundations of tomorrow.

What determined the Group’s DNA? What does this DNA consist of?

The faith in our people, that’s our where our strength lies. We constantly invest in the growth of our personnel and provide an environment where everyone can really enjoy what they do, as part of a powerful team, sharing a joint vision. This in itself has various dimensions, as it forges a cohesive culture of high performance, which translates to better service for our clients, relations with associates and the quality we provide at every stage of our professional operation.

Landmark decisions

Which do you consider the most important work or decision at any stage in the Group’s history?

There were many occasions in my professional career with their own special importance. If I have to name one, that would be my decision back in the 90s to strengthen the Group in the Health and Beauty sector.

The company expands its activities to consumer and cosmetic products in 1960.

The health sector

  • The turning point in the health sector was maintaining our autonomy by creating PharmacyLine. We stood firm on our own infrastructure with the goal of providing effective storage and distribution of medicine for our needs. This in turn, led to cooperation with major strategic partners, such as multinational companies Novartis and Sanofi, which secured the critical mass of business in order for PharmacyLine to be considered as one of the biggest medicine distribution centre on our island. At the same time, our distribution infrastructure allows us to expand in two other pillars of the medicines sector.

– The first pillar concerns cooperation with companies that have chosen not to have an organised presence on the Cyprus market. Standing out amongst them are AMGEN, SERVIER and GSK. We provide these companies with the full range of our available services, including storage, distribution, medicine vigilance and quality assurance, as well the responsibility of managing their teams in Cyprus.

-The second pillar concerns our growth in the market of generic drugs. This target is being implemented through a strategic relationships that we have forged with a series of companies, as we have the opportunity to jointly register and commercially promote their medicines on the Cyprus market, utilising our own medical information team.

The sector of beauty

  • In the beauty sector, my most important decision was undoubtedly the creation of an innovative network of stores, the Beauty Line, which continue to revolutionalise what’s on offer in the sector.

The establishment of the Beauty Line network, also in the 90s, was yet another landmark.

To this day, the Beauty Line remain the epitome of our Group’s business strategy on the retail market and has provided the possibility of building strong, timeless relations of trust with the Cypriot consumer.

A life…in the company

What did your father advise you on how to behave or make decisions?

It wasn’t so much in the form of advice. He gave an example through his own actions. The greatest lesson I keep from the way he carried himself, was honesty; with every person he worked with, the people in the company, associates and clients. Honesty is an essential characteristic in creating a viable organisation.

When was your first contact with the company? Did your father take you?

As long as I remember myself, it was at the company. I still remember our offices at Germanou Patron street and particularly my father’s office, upstairs on the right, with a glass partition and the reception hall downstairs.

Swift customer service is a central part of the company’s strategy.

And I was only five at the time as I clearly recall, because we moved to Ayios Dhometios the next year. I spent the summers and many afternoons here at the company. For example I remember every detail when the company building was being constructed here in Latsia. The company was always part of my life.

Christakis Papaellinas

Any incident that has stayed with you?

There are so many that it’s difficult to isolate one. I really can’t refer to just one single memorable moment.

Pandemic, an endurance test

How do you see things post-pandemic?

Beyond the losses and problems it has created, the pandemic has also been a major endurance test for almost all businesses. Many aspects of the companies’ operations have changed and this trend will continue, as we really don’t know when the pandemic will end. Post-covid priorities include:

* Firstly, working remotely: The pandemic has forced people to develop new habits but also have different expectations. Everyone believes that a ‘hybrid’ model of work will be adopted, but such a change would mean different changes for different businesses. For example:

-How many days each week will employees be allowed to work remotely?

-Which categories of employees will be encouraged to return to the office?

-What type of work will be conducted at the office and which will be left for home?

Different businesses have varying answers to these questions and the result will be a multitude of organisational models that will operate simultaneously.

 *Secondly, viability and issues of social responsibility. The covid-19 pandemic has led to the rising sensitivity of businesses when it comes to environmental and social contribution.

They feel the need to do their own bit in fighting climate change and securing the integration of corporate viability to their activities. Until today however, corporate responsibility was mainly restricted to traditional actions, such as supporting local communities and charity.

Recognising the importance, opportunities and challenges rising to the fore within the framework of viability and corporate responsibility, businesses will forge a comprehensive strategy of sustainable development.

*Digital transition: Even before the pandemic broke out, businesses were attempting a response to the digital revolution and the advent of new technologies.

The pandemic confirmed the benefits of digital transformation. There are clear indications that the existence of strong digital possibilities, allows for flexibility and contributes to success.

Businesses with existing applied digital possibilities found themselves in a better position than the ones who reacted under pressure and develop adaptation actions in a short period of time.

So post-pandemic, the digital transformation, innovation and technology will remain high on the priority list of businesses.

Sector development

Are you planning any new major work or decision?

A business Group that evolves always needs to plan ahead for major projects. The strategic goal of the C.A.Papaellinas Group is encapsulated in a single word; viability. In order to achieve this goal, a change of operational activities is planned, aligning our business goals with the growth and prosperity of our own people, clients and associates, as well as society as a whole, and of course, environmental protection.

Towards this direction, the strategic viability plan that we have drawn up, calls for the creation of a sustainable and balanced business Group, based on excellence in infrastructure and staffing. The focus will be on developing the pharmaceuticals and cosmetics sectors and creating strong retail brands.

This strategic viability direction includes a series of critical challenges:

-A constant response to new consumer demands and needs

-Reinforcing personnel by attracting new talents, strengthening abilities and cultivating digital skills.

-The substantive minimisation of our environmental imprint and

-finally, forging a culture that’s open to change, adopting innovation and promoting creativity through building a knowledge production ecosystem..

The consumer has changed

You come into contact with businesspeople, but also directly with consumers. Has the pandemic crisis changed the way in which both behave? Have we become more suspicious and demanding?

I would say more demanding. And they will become even more. Yes, they have changed and we can actually realise that without even looking into it and knowing exactly what happened. The pandemic has speeded up changes.

Σήμερα ο Χ.Α.ΠΑΠΑΕΛΛΗΝΑΣ είναι ένας Όμιλος με πολυσχιδείς δραστηριότητες με επίκεντρο την Υγεία και την Ομορφιά.

People have come to realise that certain issues that you heard about but did not really pay any attention to, for example a tsunami in Japan, are no longer that far away. Now you suddenly come to the conclusion that an event in China, ends up in Cyprus one and a half month later. Today you hear of fires in Siberia and that’s of interest of you, unlike before. Now you do come to understand that when the Earth’s forest burn, a rise in temperatures follows and that will also affect you. I believe that the pandemic has made people think differently, more collectively and not just their own interest.

A responsibility to our people

You deal with hundreds of products. What’s it like keeping up with so many products and services?

The truth is, and believe me, I am not just saying that for effect, my responsibility is not towards the products or the buildings. My responsibility is towards the people working in the organisation. During difficult times and there are such times, you don’t think about the products but how to face with the possibility of having to let people go. You’re thinking about associates that have been with the company for years. I am not just a third party here. I am part of the company, I live inside the organisation, the people that make up the Group, they’re my family. And I simply cannot separate family from work.

Amongst the Group’s numerous awards, is the Investors in People Platinum. C.A. Papaellinas Group received the Platinum accreditation twice which is the highest level of accreditation possible to achieve on the ‘We Invest in People’ accreditation, and is something only 2% of organizations achieve.

In my position, you might be worried for example about how to deal with the possibility of a contract not be renewed and losing five million euro in income; how to deal with the staff that might be affected by this change or what to do if something goes wrong.  We are an organisation with 600 people, most of which have been with us for many years, they have families and small children, or students at universities; in other words they are families that have essentially connected their lives with ours. And believe me, that’s what makes up the real responsibility, not products or buildings.

Address.

Λεωφ. Γιάννου Κρανιδιώτη 179
2235 Λατσιά, Λευκωσία
Κύπρος

Telephone

+357 22741741