The Doppler Effect

A look at this Greek company’s past and 2023 updates

Doppler was founded by Stavros Stavropoulos in 2000, when private and public construction activity in Greece experienced a remarkable recovery and contributed greatly to domestic development. The company started its operation in Polykastro, where it employed a few people in a small office. A few months later, the new factory in the city’s industrial area was fully operational. A year later, it opened its Athens office, then established offices in other countries, such as Cyprus, the U.A.E., Italy and Germany. Stavropoulos’ daughter, Anthi Stavropoulou, is now at the company’s helm. 

Doppler is export-oriented, installing elevators and escalators around the world. Its entry into the international market started in the U.K., where the first DOPPLER lift was installed in March 2003. More markets followed, such as Russia in 2006, the Middle East in 2007, Africa in 2008, Australia in 2010 and Latin America in 2014. Doppler now has an established presence in 90 countries with more than 200 partners and more than 20,000 installed lifts worldwide.

The global financial crisis and its impact on the industry and the construction sector made changing the company’s strategy imperative, so DOPPLER adjusted to the new conditions, redefined its goals and grew, quantitatively and qualitatively. In 2013, exports were covering 95% of the company’s total sales. This percentage has remained high, but the company also pays special attention to the Greek market, where it seeks to strengthen its presence.

Doppler manufactures integrated elevator systems that can be configured according to the technical specifications of each project. Its products include passenger lifts, cargo lifts, car lifts, panoramic lifts, inclined lifts, dumbwaiters, escalators, accessibility systems, moving walks and parking systems. In addition, Doppler launched a new electric home lift — the Ikos Series — in 2023. The Ikos is adaptable to all houses, forms and sizes. 

Also in 2023, Doppler announced the opening of its new showroom and offices in Thessaloniki — the second-largest city in Greece — as a result of its continued growth and development over the past 10 years. The company is expanding its international reach with the opening of this new office, while also improving the well-being of its employees: The company said one of the main reasons for opening the office is to reduce the daily commute of employees to Polykastro by giving them the option of working in Thessaloniki. Stavropoulou, managing director of Doppler S.A., said: 

“We have seen an overwhelming increase in project activities over the last several years, so this naturally led to the opening. It will enable us to meet the growing needs of our Greek clients even more efficiently, while still providing them with the highest level of service. 

“At the same time, cutting down the movement of our employees from coming to the factory at Polykastro every day gives them an alternative option for working in Thessaloniki undivided and without losing precious time on a daily basis.

“We are also extremely happy and proud that, even though our offices opened just a few months ago, we are already recognized as one of the leaders in the Northern Greece lift industry market.”

Konstantinos Andreadis, commercial director of Doppler S.A., said: 

“It will be our pleasure to serve you at our new location with the same quality and service you have come to expect of us. The importance of our presence in Thessaloniki, near the second-biggest port, marks a new era for our company. Partners, visitors and clients will be able to visit us regularly at our new address. Concurrently, we keep our people satisfied by providing them a new, modern and near-to-them workplace.”