Pyrkal
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Native name | Greek: Πυρκάλ |
---|---|
Company type | Subsidiary |
Industry | Defense |
Founded | 1874/1908 |
Defunct | 2004 |
Fate | Merged with Hellenic Arms Industry |
Successor | Hellenic Defence Systems |
Headquarters | Athens , |
Key people | Prodromos Bodosakis-Athanasiadis |
Products | Weapons systems |
Pyrkal (Greek: Πυρκάλ), founded in 1874, is one of the oldest defense industries in Greece and the main producer of ammunition and explosives in the country. Throughout its history, it has been one of the largest Greek companies. Moreover, since its foundation, it has been a crucial supplier during all the military conflicts the nation faced, and historically a well-established exporter to five continents.
Establishment and development
The company "Elliniko Pyritidopoieio A.E." (Greek Powder, Chemical, and Industrial products) was founded in 1874, and "Maltsiniotis Brothers" (Cartridges and metal products) in 1887. The merger of the two companies in 1908 was done to overcome an odd competition between the two for ammunition orders by the Greek state. Thus, a new company was formed, named "Etairia (Ellinikou) Pyritidopoieiou kai Kalykopoieiou" with the initials EEPK or EPK (ΕΠΚ) - the acronym Pyrkal used later; internationally it has been known as "Greek Powder and Cartridge Company" (GPCC) in English, and "Poudrerie et Cartoucherie Hellenique" (PCH) in French.
Starting with the production of
Part of the Bodossakis "empire"; events up to, during and after WWII
From 1934 the company was controlled by Prodromos Bodosakis-Athanasiadis, one of the most important figures in 20th-century Greek industrial history. Pyrkal eventually became part of a huge industrial empire created by the Bodosakis in Greece and Cyprus, involved in mining operations (with several companies, holding the dominant position in Greece), textiles, chemicals and fertilizers, beverages, glass manufacturing, engineering & construction, as well as services (shipping, insurances etc.).
In 1936-37 during the
Pyrkal's production was particularly crucial for Greece up to and during World War II. The company facilities were used by the German forces during Greece's occupation by the Axis (as a planned last-moment transfer of equipment and/or destruction of the company facilities to prevent such usage was not realized). The end of the War found the company in ruins, with equipment and material looted by retreating German forces. The machine works (once called "the largest in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East") were almost completely destroyed. The rebirth of Pyrkal resembles a miracle. The company started producing metal products and consumer items, but it recovered fast to its pre-War status as it benefited greatly from orders by the Hellenic Army, NATO and, ironically, West Germany. The next two decades were a period of prosperity and expansion, with new facilities built and new products developed.
1970s and 1980s: change of fortunes
The company suffered a serious blow when the Greek state decided to create
New efforts and merger with Hellenic Arms Industry
The company has nonetheless invested in diversification and Research & Development, expanding its activities beyond production of a wide range of ammunition types, mines, bombs, fuses for high explosive large caliber ammunition, electronics, etc. to participation in programs like the Stinger missile European post-production program and, as an equal partner, in the development and production of the IRIS-T missile. Moreover, it introduced its own advanced (although controversial) cluster bomb in the early 1990s and constructed Greek-designed modern wind generators in 2002. In a move reflecting one made almost a hundred years earlier, it merged with Hellenic Arms Industry (EBO) in 2004, to eliminate the odd competition between the two companies for state orders, forming Hellenic Defence Systems.
References
- Notes
- ^ Beevor pages 366-8 & 538
- Sources
- L.S. Skartsis, "Greek Vehicle & Machine Manufacturers 1800 to present: A Pictorial History", Marathon (2012) ISBN 978-960-93-4452-4(eBook)
- Christos Sazanidis, "Ta opla ton Ellinon (Arms of the Greeks)", Maiandros, Thessaloniki (1995)
- "H Elliniki polemiki viomihania prosferetai stous Nazi (Greek Military Industry ends up in Nazi hands)" article in the Imerisia Newspaper, December 15, 2007.
- Th. Sfikas, "I Ellada kai o Ispanikos Emfylios Polemos (Greece and the Spanish Civil War)", Stachy, Athens (2000) (report about Pyrkal's involvement)
- ISBN 978-0-7538-2165-7.