Who We Are
DEFON has been in operation since 1961, offering robust and effective pest management and disinfection services, as well as an extensive range of cutting edge products to clients around the globe.
A continually growing world of services
The company started by catering to the needs of the shipping industry. With the experience gained through association with this most demanding sector worldwide, Defon acquired the competitive advantage within its field.
Today, having proudly served over 80% of the Greek Shipping industry, as well as many International Shipping clients across five continents, Defon has developed its services to all sectors, including: Shipping, Airlines, Road and Rail, Restaurant, Catering and Food industries, Healthcare, Hospitality, Industrial, Wholesale and Retail (non-food areas), Other industries with heavy public involvement, Warehousing, Offices and Residential.
An expanding arena of products
Defon’s sales department has also expanded, with pest management products, hygiene, professional cleaning, personal care, paper products and more. The product range offered is constantly adapting to include globally recognised brands as well as a series of Defon’s own line of certified products that are available in both wholesale and retail markets.
Conveying knowledge and experience
Defon, with its knowledge gained from years of experience and the excellent level of education and expertise of its scientists, offers Consultation Services regarding public health.
Looking to the future
Defon’s vision and focus is to constantly evolve with environmental ethics, whilst always satisfying customer requirements.
Why Choose Defon
Services
- Based on cutting-edge technologies.
- Guaranteed results.
- Respect for the client’s health, safety and property.
- Timely and always available.
- Offering clean and tidy work.
- Environmentally friendly, integrated approach to pest management (IPM).
- Suitably qualified and experienced technicians with prompt response and continued vigilance.
- Backed up by sound scientific knowledge.
Products
- Cutting edge and made with environmental considerations.
Consultation Services & Seminars
- Highly qualified lecturers.
- Detailed training at a theoretical and practical level.
- For installation of a tailor made Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system which sets standards and encourages best practice.
Worldwide Presence
Defon is known worldwide for setting up an effective task force in virtually any city or port where there is a demand and for as long as required. This is a concept which has become the backbone of the company’s reputation for global responsiveness and efficiency.
Demand for Defon’s services from the shipping industry drives the company to open satellite offices in various locations around the globe for the duration of its contracts.
For instance, Defon established and operated offices in Rotterdam for 26 years and in Genoa for 10 years until its clients moved their operations to other ports, where the company was there to continue to serve them. For example, in Jeddah, Defon serviced the fleet of the well-known Greek ship owner Latsis for many years and today continues to do business with his companies in new locations. Tokyo also saw the opening of a Defon office which provided services, when the need arose, for major shipping firms.
Work has also been conducted in Australia, Bahrain, Egypt, France, Gibraltar, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Spain and United Kingdom, amongst others.
From November 2013 Defon also operates in Durban from where it provides services and products to all the South African ports and more.
From February 2015 Defon realized a particularly ambitious goal by also commencing business in Puerto Rico.
Company Timeline
2015
Defon undertakes major fumigation projects (with SO2F2 under the trade name ‘Vikane’ of Dow AgroSciences) in Puerto Rico, utilising an innovative method which was applied successfully to luxury yachts. This has laid the foundations of further operations from this port.
2010
Defon starts launching its own range of certified insect repellents with natural active ingredients.
2003
Defon pest control products enter the wholesale market in Greece and Cyprus, ultimately reaching supermarkets, mini markets, pharmacies, hardware stores, agricultural stores, pet shops, pest control companies, etc.
Tokyo 1986
Genoa 1974-1984
Rotterdam 1968-1994
Major business operations in international ports that established Defon on the world market.
1961
Sotiris Apostolou, founder of Defon, opens the first company office at the port of Piraeus in Greece, conducting disinfestation services, rodent control and disinfection.
2013
Defon starts business operations from the port of Durban providing services and products to all South African ports and more.
2004
Defon imports hygiene and professional cleaning products, personal care and paper products, etc and distributes them in the Greek market.
2002
The founder’s son Miltiadis S. Apostolou, holder of a BSc in Chemical Science and MSc in Pollution and Environmental Control (University of Manchester) assumes management of Defon.
1962
Defon manufactures and distributes its own range of air fresheners within the Greek market.
2015
Defon undertakes major fumigation projects (with SO2F2 under the trade name ‘ProFume’ of Dow AgroSciences) in Puerto Rico, utilising an innovative method which was applied successfully to luxury yachts. This has laid the foundations of further operations from this port.
2013
Defon starts business operations from the port of Durban providing services and products to all South African ports and more.
2010
Defon starts launching its own range of certified insect repellents with natural active ingredients.
2004
Defon imports hygiene and professional cleaning products, personal care and paper products, etc and distributes them in the Greek market.
2003
Defon pest control products enter the wholesale market in Greece and Cyprus, ultimately reaching supermarkets, mini markets, pharmacies, hardware stores, agricultural stores, pet shops, pest control companies, etc.
2002
The founder’s son Miltiadis S. Apostolou, holder of a BSc in Chemical Science and MSc in Pollution and Environmental Control (University of Manchester) assumes management of Defon.
Tokyo 1986
Genoa 1974-1984
Rotterdam 1968-1994
Major business operations in international ports that established Defon on the world market.
1962
Defon manufactures and distributes its own range of air fresheners within the Greek market.
1961
Sotiris Apostolou, founder of Defon, opens the first company office at the port of Piraeus in Greece, conducting disinfestation services, rodent control and disinfection.
