News Article in Kathimerini by Mr. D. Matsoukis

Veridos Matsoukis’ history starts in Athens in 1891, as a small Graphis atelier. The next generations took on and with vision, hard work and passion created the family Graphic Design business “Alexandros Matsoukis S.A.”, that during the following years developed successfully its activity in the field of printing and, in 1969, it stood out by entering at the same time the field of Security Printing.

2007, under the direction of Efthimios Matsoukis -who passed away unexpectedly some months ago- has been a milestone in our company, as, after 40 years of a successful collaboration with Giesecke + Devrient GmbH in the production of passports and other securities, the German group acquired the 60% of the actions, with the agreement that the direction of the company would be Greek.

Under its new composition, the company, bearing the nomination “Giesecke & Devrient Matsoukis S.A.” entered a period of rapid growth. We soon made a long-term investment plan concerning the installation of cutting-edge mechanical equipment, as well as the corresponding facilities for Travel Documents’ automated production. At the same time, we invested in new organization and in our staff’s training for further specialization.

Even during the economic crisis, we continued growing, not only keeping our entire staff employed without wage-cuts, but at the same time creating more than 100 new work posts.

Following the international developments, in 2015 we witnessed the constitution of the joint venture between the leading German Organizations in this market, Giesecke + Devrient GmbH and Bundesdruckerei GmbH (German State Printing Office), thus creating Veridos GmbH.

Such exceptionally strong joint venture constituted for us a new challenge for the development of innovative products and services, always pursuing the highest security standards. Thus the company entered a new era, as Veridos Matsoukis S.A.

FORTY COUNTRIES

Currently the company employs 300 people and complies with all international security and quality certification requirements for the production of high security products.

Forty countries, among such four member-states of the European Union trust Greece and Veridos Matsoukis S.A. for the production of their passports, identity cards, driving licenses and other documents connected to the highest security of the state and its citizens.

We recently completed our 10-year investment program of 30 million euros, supported by the European Investment Bank. This investment grants us now with the capacity of full automated and vertically integrated production of electronic Travel Documents at our facilities in Ilion, Attica, using the most modern material and under the strictest preconditions.

Veridos Matsoukis is the only private organization in the Greek territory and the broader geographic area, disposing the facilities and know-how (certified by the most prestigious entities) necessary for the production of security documents under the highest standards.

With an annual turnover that in 2020 is expected to exceed 50 million euros, almost entirely connected to exportations, we assure an important income for the Greek Economy.

The secret of our uninterrupted, successful course is based on the combination of our long experience, German technology and Greek craft, thus gaining the trust of our partners and of the governments of 40 countries, the security documents of which we produce today in Greece. With the support of the mother company and the contribution of the Greek Administration Team, as well as of our specialized staff, Veridos Matsoukis S.A. is gradually converting into an important business hub and innovation center.

And we are really proud that all this is happening in Greece.

THE AIM

The new Greek Identity Card tender concerning the support of the New Hellenic Police Security Documents Integrated Informatic System for the next 10 years is certainly a challenge for our company.

“Veridos Matsoukis”, as a Union of Companies with the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), BYTE and INCM, as well as with the support of the Bank of Greece, has filed for that bid the only offer assuring that the execution of the project:

· Shall take place in Greece, by Greek companies with huge experience in their field.

· Shall boost our country’s productive tissue and the Greek Economy

· Shall create hundreds of work posts for the next years.

And all the above under the constant value of identity cards and passports quality, which is vital for the citizens’ lives and our country’s security and prestige.

by Dimitris Matsoukis