BRONX – The grand opening of the new facilities of Krinos Foods on June 15 was a magnificent and moving event.
What distinguished this grand opening from so many others was its simplicity. The speeches were not long-winded, as the project spoke for itself.
Over two hundred people attended the ceremony, including Greek-American importers of Greek products, company associates and representatives of the Bronx and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), philanthropist Mary Jaharis, and many members of the press.
The attendees arrived early for a tour of the facilities. They admired the murals by Misha Most, Victor Matthews, and Kenny Scharf, and chatted with and chatted with the latter two, who were on hand.
They also visited the company’s central offices, the warehouse, the refrigerators and freezers, the production units and the laboratory for quality control.
Krinos Chairman Eric Moscahlaidis and NYCEDC President Maria Torres-Springer were the only speakers.
Moscahlaidis spoke with awe about his father, John, who, he noted, came to America in 1950 and created his own company, Arista, in Tribeca. “In 1989, he spread his wings by building the facilities for Krinos Foods in Long Island City and today we are celebrating the grand opening of the new facilities. My father’s story has a lot in common with the stories of those of you who honor us with your presence here today.” He also spoke of the company’s growth and facilities in other parts of the United States and Canada.
The new facilities are situated on a 2.5-acre property, and “are among the very few eco-friendly facilities not only in the Bronx, but in all of New York City; on one hand, 70% of the power is generated by solar panels which have been installed on the roof, and on the other hand, all of the equipment, from refrigerators to freezers to air-conditioning and heating, is high efficiency,” Moscahlaidis noted.
He pointed out that he invested only in the construction of the state-of-the-art facility, as well as the creation of an electronic warehouse management and distribution system. All the products have bar codes, which increases the efficiency of shipping and minimizing the possibility of human error.
The new facilities can hold 6,900 pallets, of which 4,100 in regular conditions, 2,400 in the refrigerators and 400 pallets in the freezers.
Regarding the murals, Moscahlaidis emphasized that they attract the interest of the Bronx community and expressed his gratitude toward the artists.
Torres-Springer expressed her satisfaction for such a big investment in the Bronx, noting that Moscahlaidis and his team put their heart and soul into every inch of it.
She was happy that Krinos decided to remain loyal to New York City, and now with its presence in the Bronx, turn that borough into one of the most significant in the city in terms of the food industry.
On June 13, The National Herald staff attended a private tour of the facilities, which Moscahlaidis personally conducted.
Mediterranean Foods President Vasilios Memmos, who arrived from Chicago to attend, told TNH that “the Krinos Foods facilities are truly impressive and I can say without a doubt that they are the most modern in all of America. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Moscahlaidis because with his achievements, he has proven that for second-generation Greek-Americans there are no boundaries. The sky is the limit, as Americans say.”
In reference to our description of the new facilities having the highest standards, Memmos corrected us: they are even higher than the “highest” standards, “they are worthy of Krinos standards!”
Loumidis Foods General Manager Aris Papa and head of sales Vlasis Anastasiou told TNH that the new plant is “truly state-of-the-art and honors Eric Moscahlaidis and his family, and all of the Greek-American community by extension.
Panatha-USA President Vlasis Anastasiou added: “we wish them him best in the new location, and let me remind of his efforts that have benefited Greece and Cyprus because of the importing and distribution of Greek products in the American market. Every dollar spent by Greek-Americans and, by extension, the Americans who prefer Greek products, reinforces the Greek economy.”