George Gerardos (1946–2026) was an emblematic figure in the Greek business world and the founder of Plaisio Computers S.A.
His journey from a student entrepreneur to the “EY Greek Entrepreneur of the Year” is a masterclass in visionary leadership.
Key milestones of Gerardos’ career
1969: The Beginning: At age 23, while studying Civil Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens, he identified a gap in the market for technical drawing supplies. With a loan of 80,000 drachmas, he founded Plaisio in a 14 sq.m. shop, revolutionizing the market by bypassing middlemen to offer direct-import prices.
1985: The “Turbo-X” Revolution: He introduced the first BTO (Built-To-Order) PCs in Greece, creating the iconic “Turbo-X” brand, which allowed customers to customize their hardware at competitive prices.
1990s: Multi-Channel Pioneer: In 1996, he launched Greece’s first major mail-order catalog supported by an in-house call center. By 1999, he took the company public on the Athens Stock Exchange and launched Plaisio.gr, the country’s first fully transactional e-commerce site for technology.
2000s & Beyond: Scale and Recognition: Under his leadership, Plaisio was ranked among the 500 fastest-growing companies in Europe for eight consecutive years. In 2009, he established a state-of-the-art logistics center in Magoula, which became a critical asset during the 2020 pandemic, enabling the company to serve over 230,000 customers during the first lockdown alone.
2021: Top Honors: He was named “Greek Entrepreneur of the Year” by EY, a testament to 57 years of uninterrupted profitability and innovation.
Today, Plaisio employs approximately 1,700 people and stands as a synonym for technological excellence and customer service—a testament to the enduring vision of George Gerardos.
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