Our Purpose

Our core purpose is to survive and grow in harmony with our values by creating superior and sustainable economic value for the prosperity of our people and society.

Our History

1922- 1951

1952- 1971

1972- 1991

1992- 2000

2001- 2003

2004- 2007

2008- 2010

2011- 2013

2014- 2020

1922- 2022

•Assembly of Willys Overland automobiles, Diamond T and International trucks and buses. Reconditioning of internal combustion motors in Thessaloniki and also in Athens as of 1948.

•Pioneers in diesel engines (Perkins), manufacturing of tractors (International Harvester), generating sets (Petrogen) and tunnel boaring equipment (TBM Robbins).

•Pioneers in the design and manufacturing of the Greek vehicle Polytrak.

•Manufacturing of Lombardini motors.

•Re-entry in the truck and bus industry with Mack and Scania.

•Improvement of Petros Petropoulos AEBE’s position in Greece’s general construction equipment and mining sectors with the introduction of Wagner, Terex and Ingersoll-Rand products.

•Entry into the outboard motors sector with the introduction of Johnson as well as the electronics sector with Texas Instruments and National Semiconductors.

•Enhancement of service capabilities (investment in SEMKA) of information systems (renewal and expansion of computer hardware) and in management information and incentive systems.

•During this period Petros Petropoulos AEBE achieved a considerable improvement in its financial results.

•Exclusive distribution of Evinrude outboard motors, Zodiac boats, Isuzu 4×4 passenger vehicles, Hyster forklift trucks, and Tennant floor cleaning machines.

•Entry into the Athens Stock Exchange.

•Acquisition and absorption of Mecmotors Hellas that manufactures Ruggerini diesel engines.

•Petros Petropoulos AEBE secured the long-term use of buildings and grounds of approximately 9.000 sq adjacent to its premises on Iera Odos.

•A strategic alliance was made with Canadian Bombardier, which acquired the Johnson and Evinrude outboard motor business, for the distribution of their full range of recreational products, including Sea-Doo Personal Watercrafts, in Greece. Exclusive distribution of McCormick and Belarus agricultural equipment and O&K and Unit Rig large excavators.

•Distribution of Isuzu pickup trucks.

•Exclusive distribution of Briggs & Stratton diesel engines, Northstar plastic boats, CAN-AM, and Bombardier’s All Terrain Vehicle.

•Τhe Company also acquired Exide Technologies’ Greek subsidiary, Exide Technologies AEEΣ, and Pisimisis AEBE.

•Signing of contract with Isuzu Motors Ltd., for the representation of Isuzu commercial vehicles in Bulgaria.

•Exclusive distributor of Bombardiers’ Can–Am Spyder roadster.

•Acquisition of Shell Hellas AE’s Greek lubricants sales & marketing, local marine and aviation lubricants businesses while becoming a Shell Marine Products’ (SMP) delivery service provider for SMP’s international customers calling in Greece.

•Distributor of Land Rover cars

· Distributor of Jaguar cars

· Distributor of Tohatsu outboard motors

· Distributor of Landini farming machinery

· Distributor of Maxus vehicles & Oleo-Mac gardening and forestry machinery & Mitsubishi Heavy Industries industrial motors

· Distributor of BYD electric buses

· Distributor of Kubota farming machinery

· Distributor of Cooper & Avon tyres

Founders

Costas P. Petropoulos Chairman Emeritus

Costas P. Petropoulos was a pupil of the Experimental School of Thessaloniki and later at Athens College. He studied at Harvard University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, followed by a Master’s degree in Business Administration. From 1966 to 1968 he worked in the family business Petros Petropoulos & Co. GP. He then worked for Arthur D. Little Hellas, an American business consultancy firm. Upon his return to Petros Petropoulos SA in 1970, he was called upon to supervise the relaunch of the Company. Serving as President until 2017, he managed, together with his brother John, to lead the Company to reorganization and development. He remains Chairman Emeritus to this day. He was a member of the Board of Directors of SEV from 1980 to 1994, for the last four years of which he held the position of Vice President. He is a co-founder of the Alba Graduate Business School and served as its President for 11 consecutive years (1991-2002). He has been a founding member of the Hellenic-Swedish Chamber of Commerce since 1992. In 1991 he was awarded an OBE and in 2004 the Royal Order of the Polar Star (Sweden).

John P. Petropoulos Chairman Emeritus

John P. Petropoulos was a pupil at the Experimental School of Thessaloniki and later at Athens College. He studied Mechanical Engineering in London, obtaining a degree from Queen Mary College and a postgraduate degree from King’s College. In 1970 he began his career as Engineering Manager in the family business Petros Petropoulos & Co. GP. From 1975 to 2019 he was Managing Director of Petros Petropoulos SA, while as a minimum recognition for his valuable contribution over many years he was given the title of Honorary President. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lypa SA (former representative of Scania in Greece). He has been a founding member of the Hellenic-Swedish Chamber of Commerce since 1992, serving as its President from 2000-2004. In 2004 he was awarded the Royal Order of the Polar Star (Sweden).

Our Values

RESPECTING AND TRUSTING THE INDIVIDUAL

The quality, the creativity, the energy and the motivation of the Company’s people are the main determinants in its success. People naturally seek success, especially the success they earn. The variety of people is a blessing to be treasured. It is only with mutual respect, trust and loyalty that anything lasting can be achieved. When people receive them, they return them generously.

KEEPING THE PROMISE

We always keep our promises to our customers, our creditors, our associates. For this reason we are careful in promising, because once we do it, we then have to fulfill our promise, even if lossesmust be suffered. We value sincerity.

FAIR CHAMPIONSHIP

We try to be champions in everything we do. Our people are the best of their kind, not just good enough. We never relax, we work hard in search of innovation and progress everywhere and always. We believe that championships are won and retained not with momentary exertions, but with continuous, systematic and disciplined improvement.

PARSIMONY

We achieve rich results with simple means. Just as nature creates the great variety of species out of only 118 elements, we seek to achieve extraordinary results with few, frugal and simple resources.

PRUDENCE

We believe in continuous progress, which is based on sound foundations and it is achieved with many small, trial steps, not with risky leaps.