The long-standing business relationship between Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket and KAPODISTRIAS Automotive Parts from Cyprus dates back to 1971. In fact, the Schaeffler company didn’t even exist back then. The business relationship started between KAPODISTRIAS and LuK Clutches, one of the three brands handled by Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket today.

To celebrate the 40-year anniversary, five managers from Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket and 37 people from KAPODISTRIAS converged in the beautiful town of Nafplio, in Greece, between June 2-4.
Nafplio was the first capital of modern Greece (1829-1834) after the Greeks earned independence from the Ottoman Empire. The first head of state of newly liberated Greece was Ioannis Kapodistrias who set foot on the Greek mainland for the first time in Nafplio on 7 January 1828. However, he was assassinated on the steps of the church of Saint Spyridon in Nafplio on 9 October 1831. Ever since, the name “Kapodistrias” has had an indelible connection with the town of Nafplio and, in turn, was a source of great interest among the visiting participants.

The main ceremony and formal dinner in honour of Mr. Christophoros Kapodistrias, Executive Director and founder of KAPODISTRIAS Automotive Parts, took place in the luxurious Nafplia Palace Hotel, located high on the hillside next to the castle, overlooking the idyllic town. In a short presentation, a selection of photographs from the early 1970s to the present day were shown, recounting the great moments from the past, highlighting the enduring relationship between the two organisations.
Theodore Lekkas, Area Sales Manager of Schaeffler AAM for Southeast Europe, welcomed the Kapodistrias company owners/directors and all associates, pointing out that the success they had enjoyed was a result of excellent relations between the two companies and the capable people who work for them.

Robert Felger, Vice President of Schaeffler AAM, described the early years of Schaeffler and its development though the years and thanked Kapodistrias for being a part in this successful journey.

Joint owner and director Constantinos Kapodistrias, speaking on behalf of the Kapodistrias company, expressed his immense gratitude to the Schaeffler AAM company and its people for the great honour they had bestowed on their company and for organizing such a unique event.
“40 years can be a lifetime. Quite a few people in this room tonight, had not yet been born in 1971,” added Constantinos Kapodistrias. “It has been, and still is, a wonderful journey! But what is so nice, is the fact that this wonderful journey will continue in the future,” concluded Constantinos Kapodistrias. The ceremony concluded with an excellent dinner on the hotel terrace, overlooking the magnificent Argolikos bay.

The next day, all the delegates were given a tour of the town, as well as the ancient theatre of Epidaurus ending with dinner at a Greek tavern with music and dancing.