Feature on businessvoice.gr – Roller Kappatos: The Home Appliance Accessories We All Have in Our Homes, But Don’t Know It
Theofilos Th. Kappatos speaks to BV about the history of the company, which was founded by his father 53 years ago and has become the leader in manufacturing home appliance bases.
It was in 1971 when Theofilos N. Kappatos experimentally made his first creation in the room of his home in the Gyzi area, crafting a “handmade” base on which a home appliance could stand. At that time, he may not have imagined that this would be just the beginning of a business success in the Greek market, which continues to grow and expand internationally.
Roller Kappatos now offers an expanded portfolio of household products, consisting of home appliance bases, with the latest addition being the washing machine-dryer stacking base, electric grills, ovens, and baking trays, and collaborates with major retail chains. With over 53 years of experience, Roller Kappatos manufactures reliable products that are the result of extensive testing, research, and meticulous design, meeting the modern needs and demands of its customers.
Development Path
The ever-increasing demand led to the creation of a new facility in Galatsi in 1973, and three years later, production was moved to Menidi. That same year, the company relocated again to even larger facilities, where it remained until 2006. From 1976 to 2006, new Roller products were introduced, while also focusing on the renewal and optimization of existing products. Additionally, the first imports of products from third-party manufacturers were made to expand the product range. In 2006, the company moved to facilities in Avlona, Attica, and in 2021, it relocated to its current facility in Oinofyta, Boeotia.
Expansion Beyond Borders
From 2006 to 2016, Roller Kappatos significantly increased its exports to countries such as Germany, France, and Italy, while expanding its presence globally. It is worth mentioning that Roller’s appliance bases are manufactured according to the strictest European standards.
The New Generation at the Helm of the Company
Today, Theofilos Th. Kappatos is the President and CEO of the company and has taken full responsibility for its management and development. His father, Theofilos N. Kappatos, continues to observe the significant progress of the company he founded.
-What were the first products the company manufactured?
“In 1971, the first base for heavy electrical appliances was created, consisting of two separate parts. This base was made using very simple methods – one could even call it handmade – until industrial, mass production began.”
-What products do you currently manufacture?
“Today, we manufacture a wide range of products, offering solutions for all heavy home appliances, such as washing machines, dryers, freezers, and home ovens. We provide solutions for mobility and shock absorption with wheeled bases for washing machines and home ovens, as well as stacking and secure connection solutions for washing machines and dryers, allowing us to place the dryer on top of the washing machine when space is limited in our homes, and use the additional practical surface for folding clothes.”
Our production range also includes the traditional electric grills, both with a lid and open, which are made of stainless steel and have become a hallmark of our company.
Additionally, our company designs and manufactures baking trays for home ovens for most well-known manufacturers as OEM solutions, tailored to their specific needs.
-Do you make wholesale or retail sales?
“We only do wholesale sales. Retail sales are handled by our partners. Our products are available in most home appliance stores, DIY stores, and supermarkets across Greece.”
-Which companies do you collaborate with?
“We collaborate with companies such as Kotsovolos, Public, Electronet, Euronics, Welcome stores, Praktiker, Leroy Merlin, Plaisio, Sklavenitis, and others.”
-In which countries do you export?
“We export to 14 countries under the brand name Roller Kappatos or through Private Label solutions for our clients. Our presence is significant in European countries such as Germany, France, and Italy, as well as in distant destinations like Singapore.”
-Could we say that every Greek household has one of your products and doesn’t know it?
“It often happens that there are 1-2 of our products in a household, but the owners don’t know they are from Roller. When we inform them, they are often surprised to learn that these products are made in Greece. So, I’m almost certain that our products are in many Greek homes, providing daily solutions for households.”
-What are the plans for the future?
“Our plans for the future involve expanding our product range with new items, acquiring new machinery, and establishing new partnerships. A business never stops making plans, and we have many ideas in mind.”
-What new products will we see in the market?
“A new range that we will soon introduce to the market is cleaning products for home appliances. Our main concern is to offer high-quality and effective products that respect health and the environment. Additionally, a new range of TV stands will soon be added to our production, featuring a wide variety and modern design, which will complement the support base options offered by our company.”
-What are the company’s current financial results?
“Roller is on an excellent, profitable trajectory, especially in recent years, where it has been growing at a rate of 20% annually, with an investment plan worth €3 million, which has been gradually implemented since 2020 and will be completed by 2030.”
-What was the turnover 45 years ago when it started, and what are the profits today?
“The company’s journey has been characterized by periods of stability and periods of intense growth. For many years, turnover remained steady at amounts between €500,000 and €700,000. Over the last decade, turnover has reached €4 million and continues to grow steadily at a rate of around 20%.”
-What needs do you understand the market has today?
“The market needs quality and consistency—quality in products and consistency in services. Consumers are very well aware of what they need, and with access to so many online tools, they can search, educate themselves, and evaluate each product and the solutions it provides. As manufacturers who respect their customers, we do not compromise on the quality of the products and services we offer. Our main focus is to steadily evolve with new ideas and solutions, providing better products at competitive prices, along with excellent customer service.”
-Did the economic crisis and the two wars happening in our “neighborhood” affect the production and profits of the company?
“The impact of the wars in recent years has already been felt, due to the instability in the global market. However, we are doing our best and, without deviating from our goal, we are starting new partnerships, expanding into new markets, and designing new products. Ultimately, we are succeeding, just as we did during the economic crisis. Think about it: if we hadn’t experienced the deep economic crisis, I, as the second generation who came to evolve the company, probably wouldn’t have made the decision to seek partnerships abroad, and today our company would have had a completely different trajectory.”
-What changes have you made, as the new generation at the helm of the company?
“The new generation has brought and continues to bring great extroversion to the company. Additionally, as the company grows, it introduced new organization and staffing, which today adds value for a prosperous future.”
“At the same time, we are implementing new technologies, having already introduced robotic systems into our production process, and we will continue in this direction by creating and developing a modern, smart factory that can and will be able to cope with the difficult and highly competitive times we live in.”
-What advice did your father give you that you hold dear?
“I would like to share two pieces of advice that I have cherished and adopted from my father. The most important piece of advice, which has now become part of my DNA, is ‘to pay attention to quality first and then to price.’ The second piece of advice pertains to the Greek market.”
“Although our company currently exports over 70% of its turnover, we give special attention and importance to the Greek market, which ‘raised’ us and continues to support us. Therefore, the advice my father gave me, and continues to be, is: ‘Never forget where you started and which market created you.'”
Thus, today in our company, the entire team thinks and acts with a priority on quality alone. From product design, production, and assembly, to quality control and customer service.
At the same time, we give special attention to the Greek market, with our priority being to embrace it and closely monitor it, with a strong presence and high-quality products.
Published at www.businessvoice.gr.
