The Greek defence industry can become an international brand name, as shown by the example of the EFA GROUP, which strengthens its position in the highly demanding aerospace, defence, new technologies, and security fields, with the strategic advantage of its top-notch personnel.

According to Christian Hadjiminas, founder of the EFA GROUP, with over 30 years of continuous development and investment in R&D, cutting-edge technologies, and skills, it has evolved into the largest group of defence technology companies in Greece.

In fact, as he stated, the Group is constantly increasing its service and system exports to over 66 countries around the world with the leading international group THEON, a manufacturer of Night Vision and Thermal Imaging systems for defence and security applications with a global footprint.

The EFA GROUP’s strategic advantage is its top-notch personnel, having over 450 employees and investing in the attraction of new talents as well as in the further development of its existing personnel’s skills.

In particular, the group focuses on attracting mostly Greek men and women scientists and engineers. Besides, the return of Greek men/women who had been abroad (brain gain) is one of the greatest ‘bets’ for the country in the next four years, as the prospects of the Greek economy have improved, creating favorable conditions.

As Mr. Hadjiminas mentions, it is strongly believed that the repatriation of Greek scientists will have beneficial effects both for their companies and the country, as the majority (75%) have lived in developed economies of the Western world (USA, UK, France) and will pass on new ideas, practices and technical experience.

Also read: EFA GROUP | Announcement of 2021 turnover and new strategic investments for 2022

The EFA GROUP has developed the appropriate working environment, and defined an objective evaluation process and a remuneration and benefits policy that favors the repatriation of these talents. It also applies modern and intelligent tools to the process of recruiting and attracting talents through an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) platform that integrates AI/ML algorithms, achieving a 25% reduction in time to fill positions.

The most important thing, however, is that for the last two years, the group has been implementing an innovative program of holistic retraining, through which the people of the EFA GROUP acquire or develop technical and digital skills during their training in wider subjects related to History, Foreign Languages, ​​and Culture.

By combining Science with Art, executives gain greater empathy and are inspired by stimuli beyond their science to design products that better meet the needs of the international market. Ultimately, employees become more productive and develop into executives with an enhanced entrepreneurial mindset.

Also, the basis of the EFA GROUP’s culture of innovation is the assimilation of Business Development with Research Development and Engineering departments that are constantly interacting. Thus, the products meet the demands of customers, while the Group – with direct feedback from the market and through its sellers – invests in the perfection of the products following a virtuous cycle of knowledge and excellence.

The dynamic course of the EFA GROUP underlines the need for continuous investment in organic growth. It is doubling its R&D team, and expanding its operations into electronics, artificial intelligence, UAVs, and total connectivity solutions of its products.

The large investment projects of the EFA GROUP include building complexes resembling a university campus with ideal working conditions in Neo Psychiko for the companies EFA VENTURES and SCYTALYS. The said complex will be completed in a few months.

Also read: EFA GROUP | New distinctions at the HR AWARDS 2023

*The article is included in the CEO Initiative Book 2023