Hellenic Sugar Industry SA or HSI is a sugar producer in Greece. In Greek is known as "Ελληνική Βιομηχανία Ζάχαρης" or "ΕΒΖ". Its main product is white crystalline sugar. Its sugar factories are located in Platy, Serres, Orestiada, Larissa, Xanthi and is the only shareholder of two sugar factories in Serbia.
| Company type | State owned |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and beverages, manufacturing |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Headquarters | , |
| Products | Sugar, animal feed. |
| €147.6 million (2009) | |
| Website | www.ebz.gr (in Greek) |
Due to financial difficulties experienced during the crisis[clarification needed] the board of directors was planning to sell the two factories in Serbia in order to compensate for the rising debt, but eventually this plan was called off.[1] In 2018, HSI's liabilities had risen to €246,6 million. During the crisis, under the face of cumulative burden and negative equity to request protection from creditors[2] HSI is currently under the management of special liquidator PQH, which has already held three failed tenders to sell it.[3] In an effort to tackle high costs, the Greek state tried to switch production of expensive sugarcane producers towards cheaper sellers, while subsidizing those who introduce cheaper methods of sugarcane agriculture.[4]
At the moment,[when?] Piraeus Bank, which is the biggest creditor of HSI, is pressuring the state to sell HSI in order to restructure its debt.,[5] with potential investor being the Innovation Brain Fund.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Hellenic Sugar Industry calls off sale of factories in Serbia - report". seenews.com. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ "Reports: Hellenic Sugar Industry to file for bankruptcy protection by Fri. - naftemporiki.gr". www.naftemporiki.gr. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ "Hellenic Sugar wins protection from creditors, as talks go on, Ilias Bellos - Kathimerini". www.ekathimerini.com. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ "State to finance payment of Hellenic Sugar dues - Kathimerini". www.ekathimerini.com. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ "Charitsis calls on Piraeus Bank to honor Hellenic Sugar Industry obligations". 28 December 2017. Archived from the original on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ "Innovation Brain confirms interest for Hellenic Sugar Industry". www.amna.gr. Retrieved 8 June 2019.