Press release
28 April 2025
Kersia consolidates its international presence with a new acquisition in Greece (Ikochimiki) and a strategic partnership in Mexico (Beta Procesos)
Kersia is continuing its global development by acquiring a majority stake in the family business Ikochimiki, a leading player in the Greek market for biosecurity solutions in the food industry and food service areas. This acquisition allows the group to strengthen its presence in the Balkans and to join the top 3 Greek players in this sector, thus consolidating its activities throughout the food chain.
At the same time, Kersia is joining forces with Beta Procesos, a leading independent and family-owned company in the Mexican agri-food and food service. With an extensive national network, this manufacturer and distributor of detergent and disinfectant products opens up new growth prospects for Kersia on the Central American continent.
These two strategic transactions based on solid complementarities reaffirm Kersia’s ambition: to become the world leader in food safety throughout the food chain to guarantee consumers safe food. Driven by an ambitious development plan, the French group, which is present in more than 120 countries, now has a turnover of €685 million, for a total workforce of more 3,100 employees worldwide.
Sébastien Bossard, President of Kersia:
“For more than a year, we have been working strategically to strengthen our international presence to accelerate our development. Expanding our presence around the world through first-rate acquisitions and partnerships means giving us the means to contribute fully and effectively to the safety of the entire food chain. By that, I mean: from farm to fork, on all continents. Our global and multimodal approach illustrates our ambition to be a pioneering and responsible leader. »
- The acquisition of Ikochimiki in Greece
A family spirit, a European ambition
Founded in 1993 by Dr Christos Karaoulis, Ikochimiki manufactures and distributes detergent and disinfection products for the Food & Beverage, catering, laundry and hotel sectors. 93% of its sales are on the national market, with exports covering Bulgaria via its subsidiary located there.
For Kersia, the acquisition of the Greek family business is eminently strategic. For the group, it is a question of consolidating its sectoral presence on the European market, both in food & beverage as well as in the food service segment.
Shared values and complementary assets
With the acquisition of Ikochimiki, the Kersia Group confirms the success of its numerous alliances and collaborations with family businesses, with which it shares the values of proximity, agility and transparency. Two of his children, Sofia and Thanasis, are part of the new organization in the positions of Chief Operations Officer (COO) and General Sales director and Sales director for Food Service (HORECA) for Greece and the Balkans, respectively. The newly formed entity will certainly take advantage of the combined and complementary skills of Kersia (skilled sales and technical team, sense of innovation and international vision) and Ikochimiki (experience, proximity and knowledge of the local market) to conquer new markets and new first-class customers.
Dr. Christos Karaoulis, founder and CEO of Ikochimiki:
” Following the completion of our new industrial facilities, we made the decision to take a significant step in expanding our business. We transferred most of our capital to the global leader of our industry Kersia, after deciding to collaborate with them. Kersia and Ikochimiki are determined to work together and achieve even more. The Karaoulis family will continue to oversee Ikochimiki’s operations.”
- The strategic partnership with Beta Procesos in Mexico
Kersia has also just joined forces with a leading player in Mexico in the food service, agri-food and hotel industries. Through this high-potential partnership, the French group intends to increase its strength in a strategic high-growth market, by extending its presence in all segments of the food chain.
By benefiting from a new, highly strategic industrial location in Central America, the group – which until now had only one sales subsidiary in Mexico – is gaining a foothold and privileged access to an area with very significant potential due to its population density. This proximity boosts the commercial strength of the two partners in the agriculture and beverage markets, in particular the brewing market.
About Kersia
A world leader in biosecurity and food safety, Kersia offers global and innovative solutions combining products (detergents, disinfectants, animal nutritional supplementation, etc.) and services (health protocols, troubleshooting, training, etc.). The group’s ambition is to prevent disease and contamination of animals and humans at every stage of the food supply chain. Present in more than 140 countries, Kersia actively invests in research to anticipate the evolution of microbiological contamination and the food safety needs of tomorrow, which are set to accelerate due to climate change.
www.kersia-group.com
About Ikochimiki
Founded in 1993 in Athens by Dr. Christos Karaoulis, Ikochimiki produces and markets cleaning and disinfection products, machinery and technical support to the food, laundry, hotel and restaurant sectors. The company with 60 employees is located near Athens and has a subsidiary in Bulgaria.
About Beta Procesos
Founded in 1986, the family-owned company Beta Procesos specialises in the manufacture and distribution of detergents, disinfectants and cleaners for the catering, food and hospitality industries. It is growing strongly, with 700 employees spread over a production site and around thirty warehouses throughout the country.
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