Intertan is a family-run business, ingrained with four generations of innovating leaders – each leaving a memorable mark on the business. With its 100-year anniversary on the horizon, the company has lots of exciting investments in the works. Business Development Supervisor Olga Fountoukidou discussed this and the company’s dedication to sustainability, in conversation with Imogen Ward.
Over the years, Intertan has had several huge milestones shape the company into what it is today. As a wholesome, family-run business with strong moral values, Intertan is well-established within the food and drink industry. It has worked tirelessly to maintain its quality-driven reputation: Implementing a highly advanced quality control department, all its products are brought to the market offering the best food packaging solutions at the most competitive prices.
Maintaining a long-lasting partnership with Nestlé, Intertan is the exclusive representative of Nestlé products across central Greece. This relationship, spanning 50 years, highlights Intertan’s prestigious presence and reliability within the industry. Its entrance into the disposable food packaging market in 2010 led to new achievements for Intertan. The company made the bold decision to dedicate its resources to the development of eco-friendly, biodegradable products. This ensured that its disposable products do not add to global landfill issues.
This compelling change occurred in 2015, bringing Tessera Bio Products to life. Aptly branded Tessera – which, when translated to English, means four – the name represents the four elements of matter, signifying a perfect balance, harmonised with nature.
Trailblazing Tessera
Company owner Anastasios Taniskidis understood the importance of producing sustainable products; from this knowledge, Tessera was born. As an innovative company, Intertan leads the way for the rest of the market – becoming a positive influence in the food and drink industry.
“Mr Taniskidis really believed that this would be an important step for our company,” Business Development Supervisor Olga Fountoukidou said. “Now, of course – seven years on from Tessera’s beginning – the industry has completely adapted. Legislation is completely different, and the consciousness of consumers is more focused on environmental impacts.
“Intertan is a flagship, not only for us, but for the whole of Europe. We have always known the steps we take are very innovative and provide important solutions to the industry. That’s why we dedicate so much of our resources into research & development and our quality control departments.”
With an ingenious array of biodegradable components the Tessera range incorporates palm leaves from Areca trees, bamboo, and birch wood; all of which are farmed from responsibly managed plantations.
The company also utilises sugarcane in the production of packaging lids and biodegradable containers. The use of sugarcane is great in the food industry due to its high water and fat resistance, making it the perfect partner for on-the-go meals.
Fully utilising its natural surroundings, the company has also developed a unique line of disposable cups. These paper products are internally lined with a water-based emulsion coating, making it entirely waterproof without the need for any harmful plastics. The cups are completely compostable and will biodegrade after
“With an ingenious array of biodegradable components the Tessera range incorporates palm leaves from Areca trees, bamboo, and birch wood; all of which are farmed from responsibly managed plantations”
75 days in dry conditions; this process occurs even quicker in a wet environment – boasting a speedy 52-day cycle before it can be used to help fertilise soil.
Encouraging our environment
Intertan is always thinking of its environmental impact, and the ways it helps sustain the planet. The company’s R&D department is focused on researching the latest innovations to accomplish this. Intertan also chooses producers who are fully certified and have extensive quality management surrounding them.
By incorporating clean energy into its production processes, Intertan successfully utilises solar panels – minimising its nonrenewable energy usage – and is always searching for the greenest ways to travel. This green philosophy is also being translated to the employees’ personal lives too, with them following Intertan’s admirable example.
The company is consistently assessing the impact of its products; in doing so it has realised the importance of the packaging’s life cycle, Ms Fountoukidou explained: “We are always researching into how we can complete the life cycle of our products.
“By this I refer to our ability to create a continuous production cycle, recycling used products to create new ones. Whether this means investing into collection and recycling or furthering our efforts in composting; we really want to ensure our products leave no waste behind.”
Committed to educating consumers on the importance of being sustainable, Intertan ensures that its knowledge is passed on to both adults and children. Ambassadors from the company regularly visit local schools to give talks on the environment. Intertan wants to highlight the importance of maintaining ecosystems, endeavouring for a positive effect on people’s perspectives.
The employees at Intertan are just as passionate as the company, fully dedicated to reaching Mr Taniskidis’ goals. “Food packaging is something that can get ignored in our everyday lives,” Ms Fountoukidou said. “We do not pay much attention to it, but it surrounds us; from the morning cup of coffee to the takeaway container that holds our dinner.
“Being able to produce food packaging that can make a difference is such a big deal, we have a real impact on the environment and more than that, we have the ability to incite change in the industry too.”
Food for thought
Outside of its important work towards a more sustainable future, Intertan is establishing the company’s vision for growth. Intertan has added an impressive 500,000 square metres to its name, located in Central Greece. The new facility will be a state-of-the-art logistics centre that specialises in food packaging.
This building is a promising investment; Intertan is hoping this centre will become one of the biggest commercial hubs in Europe . It’s position as a bonded warehouse will also aid this desire for expansion, enabling it to easily import products.
The company is keen to further its reach within the food market: Intertan is also planning to open a warehouse in the UK – this investment will have a hugely positive impact on the local economy. In doing so, it will create more job opportunities, resulting in a boost for the eco-friendly food sector.
Another important investment will see Intertan entering the healthcare sector. Medical PPE is a vital resource for those working within the healthcare industry; by producing masks and medical grade gloves, the company ensures safety within the hospital environment. This fantastic enterprise further highlights Intertan’s commitment to its customers and the community more widely.
In reference to customer loyalty, Intertan has ensured the completion of all contracts through its personal and attentive approach despite the current global supply issues. “One of the core philosophies that Mr Taniskidis has passed to all of us at Intertan,”Ms Fountoukidou concluded, “is to never underestimate the power of personal contact. That is why we regularly travel; we want to build those relationships as much as possible.
“That philosophy is so vital to the business, and it is why I can proudly say that we have over 70 strategic partners and suppliers. Having previously worked in the purchasing department, I have a lot of experience with developing these relationships. I know first-hand how vital they are to the success of Intertan.” n
