Interview with Mr. Nikos Kordakis

Interview with Mr. Nikos Kordakis Placing strong emphasis on innovation and R&D activities, NIKO HELM HELLAS SA has been developing products for the surface treatment industry for over 50 years. In the interview we conducted, Mr. Nikos Kordakis, Chief Executive Officer of NIKO HELM HELLAS SA, provided information about the products and services they offer.  

Could you please tell us about yourself and your professional background?

In 2000, I obtained two bachelor's degrees in Manufacturing Engineering and Commerce from the University of Birmingham. I then pursued advanced studies in Production Management at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, where I obtained a master's degree. My early exposure to our family-owned manufacturing business, where I gained practical experience in all aspects of the production process, fostered my passion for the field. I remember myself at 5 years old, trying to assemble a small trolley with the help of my father instead of assembling toy tracks... After completing my education, I began my career at NIKO, where I held various roles in the sales, marketing, and business development departments. As of 2020, I have been serving as Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of NIKO Group.

Could you please provide information on the history and areas of activity of NIKO HELM HELLAS SA?

NIKO was founded in 1972 and since then has remained a family-owned business focused on developing, manufacturing and marketing high-quality sliding door fittings, handling systems, power feed systems and fall arrest systems. The company began its operations with direct export activity in the demanding market of Germany, allowing us to develop expertise and know-how in such systems. Within 50 years of our presence, the company has established a direct presence in 7 countries including Austria, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, China, USA and Greece and has expanded its distributor network to more than 70 countries.  

Could you please provide information on the products and services you offer? What are your target industries?

NIKO designs complete handling systems and produces more than 10,000 part numbers that are applied in industries such as automotive, steel and structure, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, food processing, chemicals, wood, agriculture, logistics, defence industry, textile, entertainment etc. However, in recent years we have focused on developing our overhead conveyor portfolio with custom solutions that address customer needs, especially in the surface treatment industry. We strive every day to exceed our clients' expectations with emphasis on the productivity, high quality and durability of our products.

Could you inform us about your domestic and international activities in the fields of surface finishing and coating?

NIKO is in a position to provide manual or automated conveyor solutions for the complete painting line process, starting from loading and unloading areas, to cleaning and drying and finally painting and curing of products. Depending on each customer's requirements and constraints, NIKO designs the most efficient conveyor layout. Regarding manually operated systems, the most common solutions provided include crane wagons for simultaneous multiple product transportation between the painting booths and the curing ovens and also pneumatic or manual turntables for rotating products and changing directions of movement between work stations. Automated solutions include powered chain conveyor sections running through painting booths and curing ovens at low speed, allowing each process to be carried out without operator interference. Finally, the requirement of lifting and lowering products during loading and unloading or the spray painting process is facilitated through the use of Drop Lift Units.

Could you please provide information on the environmental policy and sustainability approach of NIKO HELM HELLAS SA?

With the application of the international quality standard ISO 9001, our company has developed the philosophy and infrastructure for the introduction of a corresponding Environmental Management System in accordance with the international standard ISO 14001. The continuous environmental goals aim to minimize the adverse environmental effects of the entire range of our activities in accordance with European legislation, including minimization of harmful gaseous emissions, liquid sewage and solid waste with constant effort to maximize their reuse and recycling of materials and scrap, rational use of energy and natural resources, and improvement of health and safety conditions in the workplace.

Could you please inform us about the innovation and R&D activities conducted by NIKO HELM HELLAS SA?

We currently employ highly qualified personnel in the R&D department, which includes a team of experienced mechanical engineers specialized in evaluating and designing custom solutions for the production needs of customers. Many parts of the provided systems can be switched from manual to automatic function, or in many cases can be completely redesigned in order to maximize the efficiency of the system. Therefore, almost every project we undertake involves innovation in the current standard systems. In the last year, we have been developing semi-automatic conveyor systems in order to enhance our product offering.

What are the investment plans of NIKO HELM HELLAS SA for the future? Could you please tell us about your investment priorities?

We continuously invest in people, industrial equipment and services to improve our processes while developing new products and markets in the context of our strategy. For the next two years, investment priorities include replacement of equipment in several workstations of the plant and the expansion of manufacturing facilities at the headquarters. With product quality and customer service being a pillar of the company's total efforts, NIKO will continue to grow responsibly in the global market.