LEADING TECHNOLOGY IN GREEK INTERNATIONAL TAKE OFF
Greece’s technology field is spearheaded by Intracom, a success story that illustrates the country’s potential as a competitive business hub

Born as a part of Intracom and later established as an independent company, Intralot is the world’s third largest provider of technological products to the gaming sector

The founder of a global player in the field of telecommunications, IT systems, and defense electronics, Socrates P. Kokkalis has been in the vanguard of Greece’s most innovative enterprise sector, spearheaded by Intracom, since 1977. He is also the owner and president of Olympiakos F.C., the most popular soccer team in Greece, and the biggest Greek sports organization.

As the largest multinational corporation headquartered in Greece, Intracom reflects the country’s transformation from an agricultural society into a progressive and dynamic nation with an international outlook and a highly skilled workforce. The company capitalized on its unique position as the first technology-oriented project to be launched in Greece, and has achieved a leading position in Southeastern Europe’s technology sector.

The group is present in 55 countries worldwide; it employs almost 7,000 people with an average age of 32, of whom 3,000 are based in Europe, the United States, South America, and the Middle East. Mr. Kokkalis elaborates, “We focused on creating a challenging working environment that attracted top-notch graduates as well as people with a large telecom experience. We ended up with an amazing workforce that has been the main factor contributing to our steady growth.” An extensive international presence has been a determining factor for Mr. Kokkalis’ successful information technology venture. “In the early 90’s we started working in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. This year almost 60 percent of our turnover will come from outside Greece, and we are working hard to increase the ratio.”

SOCRATES P. KOKKALIS Chairman and CEO of Intracom

While maintaining growth has always been Intracom’s primary objective, it was its advanced infrastructure, high productivity, and sales and marketing strategy that bolstered its competitiveness throughout the most unfavorable periods of the global economy. “Our export-oriented sales and marketing strategy was borne out by the steady demand for high-tech products in developing markets,” explains Mr. Kokkalis.

In a move to diversify, Intracom entered the gaming market more than a decade ago. The vast potential of the industry soon led to a division of the head company being founded as a separate entity, Intralot, which has now become one of the group’s major assets. Ranked third worldwide in the sector after GTEC and Scientific Games of the United States, Intralot offers technology-related products and services to all organizations with the exception of casinos.

Regarding the company’s defense electronics division, Intracom is involved in ventures with important international partners and is also cooperating closely with major European defense contractors. Its main customer is the Greek Ministry of Defense, which the company supplies with specifically developed proprietary systems.
Greek firms have expanded rapidly and developed a great know-how and expertise in the last 15 years. Local enterprises such as Intracom have laid the groundwork for business in a region that has recently emerged with a market economy and still holds many untapped business opportunities. Mr. Kokkalis highlights, “There are a lot of excellent Greek companies that I think would be valuable partners to American firms that wish to do business in the region.”

In accordance with its role as a principal Greek corporation, Intracom is facing the challenge of implementing and disseminating the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which involves undertaking initiatives to benefit its own employees and Greek society as a whole.

The enterprising spirit that drives Kokkalis’ business forward is a recipe for success that he also applies to his sporting venture at the head of Olympiakos. “We organized Olympiakos based on the belief that in professional sports you have to be profitable to succeed,” says Mr. Kokkalis.