In the Mediterranean island of Cyprus,
during the first half of the twentieth century, salt expeditions were covered
from Larnaca’s only solar salt work, catering for the local needs. A great part
of the local community was involved in the collection and merchandising, which
was stimulating the growth of the city. Grandfather Paraskevas, was in charge
of storing the salt in Larnaca’s saltwork. In 1963 he came up with the idea of
buying some quantities of salt, grinding, packaging and selling them. In this
way he could work all year round. He creates a small workshop producing one ton
of salt every eight hours. His son Michalakis has the idea of expanding the
small workshop into a small business, so in 1980 he built a factory in the
industrial area of Aradippou in Larnaca. By 1982 the factory was completed and
production commenced with him and three workers by his side. In two years time
the factory was producing one ton of salt per hour. In 1986 the Cyprus
government stopped the functions of Larnaca’s saltwork and the local merchants
begun importing salt from abroad. In 1993 M.P.
Theodorou salt industry was the
only factory still continuing its works and through contemporary technology
even increased its production to six tons per hour continuing with the family
tradition of innovation. Realizing the increase in demand for natural products,
a dedicated unit for salt flakes production was created in 2001, covering an
area of 3000sq metres. The small family business expanded by technology
advanced solutions but at the same time remained a traditionally orientated
business. In 2004, the company was awarded with the international certificates
of ISO: 2000 and HACCP for the production, packaging and
distribution of salt products. In the year 2007, the company has been registered with ISO / HACCP 22000:2005, and ORGANIC CERTIFIED certification.
|
