The president of the iconic Greek yogurt company FAGE, Kyriakos Filippou, passed away on Monday evening. Filippou was a visionary who helped propel FAGE through its international expansion, bringing Greek yogurt to every corner of the world.
FAGE’s president: from Athens to the world
FAGE began producing dairy products in 1922 on Patission Street in Athens. And it has remained a family business since, under Filippou’s presidency completely transforming the world of Greek yogurt and dairy products.
FAGE expanded under his direction, opening its first factory in 1964 in Galatsi, Athens and promptly opening its second in 1975 in Metaxourgeio, Athens. In April of 2008, FAGE opened its first yogurt production plant in the United States in Johnstown, New York.
Filippou’s leadership was a large reason for FAGE’s success both domestically and internationally. Armed with a degree in chemical engineering, he used his knowledge to improve the production and further development of yogurt products, changing the trade forever.
Filippou revolutionized Greek yogurt market
Filippou was the first Greek person to find a way to make yogurt have a longer shelf life. He was also the first to introduce a Greek yogurt product using cream in the 80s, which has now become the flagship product of the company, called Total Yogurt.
FAGE is now sold in over 44 countries and is headquartered in Luxembourg. This journey began in 1981, when FAGE began to infiltrate the wider European market. In the 90s, FAGE began selling its yogurt in the US, leading to Greek yogurt becoming extremely popular with US consumers.
FAGE released a statement on the death of its longtime president, which reads as follows:
“Kyriakos Filippou passed away yesterday.
“A pioneer, and a visionary who changed the food industry in Greece and brought the name of FAGE to the world. A scientist, a just employer, a generous, eternal explorer of the best, he leaves behind a legacy of business ethics.”
The cause of Filippou’s death has not been released, and his funeral will be held on Tuesday evening.
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