Rising Higher Together

KLEEMANN celebrates 40 years with anniversary event.

KLEEMANN, which has grown into a global elevator supply and contracting company since its founding in 1983 by Nikolaos K. Koukountzos, celebrated its 40th anniversary on September 6 with a series of events at its factory in Kilkis, Greece, and in Thessaloniki. 

More than 250 guests from around the world, along with representatives from the business community and Greek government, arrived in Thessaloniki on September 5 for KLEEMANN’s 40th anniversary. As previously planned, the guests were picked up from the airport and taken to the Thessaloniki Hyatt Regency Hotel, where they attended a barbecue party held at the hotel for dinner.  

On the morning of September 6, the group departed from the hotel and reached KLEEMANN’s factory located in the Kilkis Industrial Area. The factory event started with the welcoming of the guests in separate groups. Then, the production facilities and test tower were toured by the guests, who were also given a history of the factory. 

During the tour, KLEEMANN unveiled Digital Spot, which showcased Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, including KLEEMANN Live and Smart Functions, introducing the visitors to KLEEMANN’s digital tools. Moreover, guests had the opportunity to visit the renovated showroom that features new elevator cabin materials and the latest cabin series. The product range, the bench and the robots used for production were also introduced. In addition, the new 360° Factory Tour VR (virtual reality) provided a guided tour of KLEEMANN’s production facilities in Greece, Serbia and China.

Following the factory tour, guests rested with cocktails and coffee. After, Ioannis Sanidiotis, general manager of KLEEMANN Elevators, and Georgios Moschovakis, Group Commercial director, addressed the guests. They thanked them for their participation in the annual event and provided information about the history of KLEEMANN elevators and facilities. After the speeches and lunch served at KLEEMANN’s Kilkis facilities, the guests returned to the hotel by bus.

After visiting the city in the afternoon and resting at the hotel, guests gathered at the Hyatt Regency Hotel for the 40th anniversary celebration and dinner. After the welcome cocktail, Sanidiotis gave a short speech about the celebration. Then, the representative of the Greek Ministry of Commerce and European Elevator Association (ELA) President Roberto Zappa made speeches. 

After Zappa’s speech, Nikos Koukountzos, Kostas Koukountzos and Christina Koukountzos took to the podium and talked about what has been experienced and done since the establishment of the company and the opening of the factory, as well as their future plans. There were emotional moments in the speeches where photos of the first factory on groundbreaking day were shared, and the early days were described. 

When Mrs. Koukountzos invited her father, Nikolaos Koukountzos, the founder of KLEEMANN Elevator, to the stage and he made a short speech, everyone in the hall was full of emotion. The guests, who experienced the flavors of unique Greek cuisine at the meal, also had the opportunity to experience local music.