DROMEAS: From Serres to Amazon with exports as a cornerstone of growth

Konstantinos Papapanagiotou, CEO of the furniture manufacturing company, speaks to makthes.gr – The investment development plan, the European Commission, and… the German army

Stefanos Mahtsiras
Friday, December 20, 2024, 07:00

Strategic partnerships, investments focusing on innovation, digital technology, and sustainability, along with a strong commitment to international expansion, are the growth accelerators of DROMEAS, with the Northern Greek furniture company running a development marathon, “flirting” with €40 million in sales and €7.5 million in EBITDA.

The Serres-based company consistently looks abroad, now exporting 75% of its production to Germany, Albania, the Middle East, Bulgaria, and Belgium, while also making a strong entry into the US market through the online platform of e-commerce giant Amazon.

DROMEAS is opening new paths for growth, employing 340 workers, with 50,000 m² of facilities, and annual investments reaching €1.5 million for equipment upgrades. Over the last five years, it has invested a total of €6.5 million in equipment and intangible infrastructure. At the same time, the company has reduced its debt by 45%, from €23.3 million in 2016 to €13 million in June 2024.

The company’s full vertical integration (both producer and seller of products) has built DROMEAS’ internationally recognized success story, allowing it to navigate smoothly through the financial crisis that shook Greece, while simultaneously strengthening its brand presence.

It is noteworthy that DROMEAS has been the exclusive supplier to the EU from 2009 to 2027, while also partnering with the German army, winning contracts worth €100 million.

“Strategic investment with a four-year horizon”

“Our company is undertaking a strategic investment over the next four years, focusing on integrating advanced WMS and MES software systems. This approach aims to comprehensively monitor all stages of production, from raw material management to distribution, enhancing overall efficiency. At the same time, we are upgrading the wood processing department with state-of-the-art equipment to increase flexibility, reduce production costs, and shorten delivery times, thus providing even better service to our customers,” Konstantinos Papapanagiotou, CEO of DROMEAS, tells makthes.gr, outlining the main pillars of the company’s investment strategy:

Digital technology:
We focus on adopting new tools that improve production processes and resource utilization. We are also investing in innovative e-commerce solutions to enhance the B2B and B2C experience.

Innovation:
We design products that meet modern needs. For example, the modular shelving system SYNTHEKA® combines flexibility, collaboration, and tool-free assembly, offering unique customization possibilities. This product has already been patented internationally.

Sustainability:
We prioritize environmental responsibility. Our products carry certifications such as the Blue Angel eco-label and LEVEL® 3, which recognize eco-friendly design and responsible manufacturing processes.

“Exports are the cornerstone of our strategy”
“Our export orientation forms the foundation of our strategy, with 75% of our production aimed at international markets. We focus primarily on Europe, while simultaneously advancing the digital transformation of our sales, expanding our presence on major e-commerce platforms. Vertical integration of our production enables us to respond even to the most demanding tailor-made solutions, offering our clients unique services on a large scale,” he notes.

Digital transformation
The company also emphasizes digitization. “Our digital transformation is in full swing. We recently launched a new B2B portal that automates critical processes, such as order entries and special requests, significantly reducing management time. Additionally, through our new online store, customers can easily customize products to their needs using configurators and 3D visualizations. This is another step toward enhancing transparency and flexibility in our services,” concludes Mr. Papapanagiotou.