The Greek dairy manufacturer Olympus has completed a EUR 55 million investment in a new dairy factory in Halciu, close to Brasov.

The new plant stretches over a total surface of 25,000 square meters and includes three processing units for yogurt, cheese and milk. Milk reception capacity stands at 40,000 liters an hour. The products will be sold on the Romanian market, but also exported in the EU and the US, according to company officials.

“Our operations in Romania, where we made the biggest investment outside Greece, have a strategic importance for the group, being our access gate to the European markets”, said Dimitrios Sarantis, president of Olympus group.

Olympus started operations in Romania in 1999. Apart from the Brasov plant, the group owns a milk procession unit in Baraolt, Covasna county. Olympus invested EUR 70 million on the local market so far.

In 2010, the Greek company reported total sales in Romania of EUR 20 million. The company estimates overall sales of EUR24-EUR25 million for 2011.

Olympus also holds a 23 percent minority stake in dairy producer Prodlacta Brasov. Olympus is part of Greek group Tyras, which is controled by Dimitrios and Michail Sarantis.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Olympusdairy.ro)