An exclusive interview with Marios Gkotsopoulos, Co-Owner & CEO Greco Strom

“Quality sleep is a deeply personal experience”,  Marios Gkotsopoulos,  the Co-Owner and CEO of Greco Strom, the leading manufacturer of sleep products in Greece,  shared with CEOWORLD magazine. Greco Strom has a long history of manufacturing sleep products for all ages. Marios Gkotsopoulos explains the strategy and the vision of the company,  in his interview for CEOWORLD magazine.

Q: Greco Strom is a family company with 60 years of history. What is the strategy that made it one of the largest mattress companies in Greece? 

Marios Gkotsopoulos: Greco Strom began its journey 60 years ago as a small family business, driven by a passion for craftsmanship and a deep love for quality sleep. What drives our growth is the amount of values passed down to us by our father, the founder of the company, who started from scratch and inspired us with his knowledge, vision, and relentless dedication. With patience, responsibility, and genuine care, we have continued his legacy, evolving every day what he once built.

Our core strategy is rooted in a deep commitment to continuous research and global exploration of both raw materials and finished products. We invest heavily in innovation, ensuring we stay one step ahead in terms of technology and design. At the same time, we actively listen to consumer needs and identify existing gaps in the sleep experience, not just in terms of products, but in how people perceive and enjoy rest.

Through our extensive expertise and deep industry knowledge, we strive to create products of unparalleled comfort and superior quality, always with the ultimate goal of enhancing people’s lives through better sleep.

Q: What is the main material used to make the mattresses? Do you use any recyclable materials? 

Marios Gkotsopoulos: For us, every material used in the construction of a mattress is equally important, as each one contributes in a unique way to the overall sensation and performance of the final product. Some of the core materials that define the feel and quality of our mattresses include high-quality fabrics, specially designed quilting components, high-resilience foams with excellent elasticity, and of course, pocket springs, individually wrapped coils that provide silent, targeted support to every part of the body. The combination of these materials is the result of extensive research and in-depth expertise, aiming to deliver a product that stands out for its quality, ergonomics, and comfort. When it comes to recyclable materials, we already incorporate recycled fabrics into several of our product lines.

Furthermore, we are actively working on increasing the use of sustainable materials throughout our production process. Our next major step toward sustainability is the adoption of recyclable packaging.

Q: What do you consider to be the three basic characteristics that a mattress should have for a peaceful and quality sleep?  

Marios Gkotsopoulos: We believe that there is no single formula when it comes to the characteristics of a good mattress. Quality sleep is a deeply personal experience, shaped by individual needs such as physical health conditions, preferred sleep positions, and personal comfort preferences. Therefore, instead of focusing on specific mattress features, we focus on the right guidance.

At Greco Strom we consider it our responsibility to help each person discover what their ideal mattress looks and feels like. This begins with expert consultation. Our trained sleep advisors take the time to understand the unique needs of every customer and guide them through our wide product range to identify the option that offers the best possible support, pressure relief, and overall comfort.

We also invest significantly in regular training seminars for our sales advisors, to ensure they stay up to date with the latest developments in sleep science, ergonomics, and customer care. This commitment enables them not just to recommend a product, but to serve as true sleep experts, helping customers make informed choices that elevate the quality of their sleep and, in many cases, contribute to better physical well-being.

Ultimately, the most important “features” of a mattress are the ones that emerge when deep expertise meets genuine listening. That’s where real sleep transformation begins.

Q: Which countries do you export to? What percentage of your annual production is made up of exports?  

Marios Gkotsopoulos: Over the years, Greco Strom has steadily expanded its international footprint, proudly exporting to a diverse range of markets. Today, our products can be found in countries such as Romania, Albania, Israel, Malta, France, Tunisia, Italy, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Serbia, Germany, and Estonia, and our expansion journey is far from over.

Each new market represents not only an opportunity for growth but also a chance to share our philosophy of quality sleep with people across cultures and lifestyles. Exports currently account for approximately 6–8% of our annual production, a figure that continues to rise as demand for premium, sustainable sleep solutions grows worldwide.

For us, this is just the beginning. Our vision is to strengthen our presence in existing markets while entering new ones, always staying true to the values of craftsmanship, innovation, and authenticity that define Greco Strom. Ultimately, international expansion is not simply about numbers or percentages—it is about building meaningful relationships with partners and consumers across the globe and ensuring that the Greco Strom name becomes synonymous with superior sleep, wherever in the world it is found.

Q: You also manufacture children’s mattresses as well as mattresses for hotels. What specifications should these two categories of mattresses have?  

Marios Gkotsopoulos: When it comes to children’s mattresses, our philosophy is guided by one principle: safety and healthy development above all else. The materials we use are carefully selected for their softness, breathability, and durability, ensuring that the child’s body is supported at every stage of growth.

Beyond ergonomics, we prioritize hypoallergenic fabrics and certifications that guarantee maximum hygiene and protection. After all, a mattress is not just a surface for sleep, it is the foundation of a child’s rest, comfort, and wellbeing. We also pay close attention to the specific needs of different age groups. Our goal is always the same: to provide a safe, supportive, and nurturing sleep environment that contributes to the healthy development of every child.

In the hospitality sector, the requirements are quite different. A hotel mattress must offer universal comfort to meet the expectations of guests with diverse body types and preferences. To achieve this, we use premium layers, high-resilience foams, and advanced pocket spring systems that ensure both comfort and durability, even under daily use.

But beyond specifications, what truly sets a hotel mattress apart is the sleep experience it offers. Guests should feel relaxed from the first moment they lie down, and that sensation must remain consistent over time. That’s why we work closely with hoteliers, tailoring solutions to the unique character of each property and ensuring that the sleep experience becomes one of the highlights of their stay.

Whether for children or hotels, our philosophy remains the same: every mattress we create is designed with care, precision, and deep respect for the people who sleep on it.

Q: What’s next for your company?  

Marios Gkotsopoulos: The future of Greco Strom is defined by growth, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. One of our immediate goals is to further enhance the training and development of our people, both our sales partners and our wider team. By investing in seminars, workshops, and continuous education, we ensure that every individual representing Greco Strom embodies the values, knowledge, and expertise that distinguish our brand.

At the same time, research and innovation remain at the core of our strategy. We are determined to continue exploring new technologies, sustainable materials, and advanced design concepts that will set new standards in the sleep industry. Our aim is not just to respond to market trends, but to actively shape them by introducing pioneering solutions that elevate the sleep experience worldwide.

Equally important is our vision of expanding Greco Strom’s presence beyond borders. As demand for high-quality, sustainable sleep products grows globally, we see tremendous opportunity to bring our philosophy and products to new markets, always maintaining the authenticity and craftsmanship that define us.

Ultimately, “what’s next” for Greco Strom is a journey of continuous evolution—driven by passion, responsibility, and a deep respect for the people we serve. For us, the greatest reward is knowing that every step forward strengthens our ability to offer something timeless: the gift of truly restorative sleep.

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