KEAN

The earliest known photograph capturing the manual juicing process by the company's first workers, who remained loyal and committed to its growth for decades to come.

The first labels featuring the original KEA logo appeared two years before the brand was renamed to KEAN. With a high juice content and bold fruit flavours, KEA’s first products entered the market, introducing Cypriots to a refreshing new experience.

After relocating to larger premises in 1952, KEAN designed its citrus juice extraction and storage process to preserve the fruit’s natural flavour, aroma, and vitamins. This transformed its founder’s recipes into large-scale production. The first KEAN-branded products were bottled in KEAN’s signature glass bottles with three distinctive rings, a design that remains an iconic part of its identity to this day.

Surrounded by lemon tree gardens, KEAN factory, was completed and began operations in July 1956. A remarkable structure for its time, it featured a distinctive architectural design, with the company logo on its tower. The iconic stone bottle-shaped pillars at the entrance, represented the reliability and prestige of KEAN’s products and remain a historic landmark at the eastern entrance of Limassol to this day.

KEAN expanded into international markets in 1956, making its first exports to neighbouring countries and the Cypriot community in England, boosting production and creating new opportunities. KEAN’s juice exports helped absorb local production, supporting hundreds of farmers and their families.

1972 was a pivotal year for KEAN, which took over the bottling of popular drinks such as Sport Cola, Hi Spot, and other beverages from Canada Dry. The partnership with Canada Dry was particularly beneficial, expanding KEAN’s product range until 2009, when Canada Dry was acquired by a major international company and ceased operations in the region.

KEAN was one of the first companies to adopt the innovative TetraPak packaging, which allowed pasteurized juice to be stored without preservatives for up to a year. In 1981, KEAN signed an agreement with TetraPak and launched its first 100% natural juices and fruit drinks in 1982, ushering in a new era for the company. KEANITA kids’ drink, was also introduced adding another milestone to its product range.

In 1986, to expand its product range, KEAN looked abroad for collaborations with well-known international brands. Vimto, with a strong presence in both the UK and the Middle East, caught their eye. KEAN signed a partnership with J.N. Nichols Ltd. John Nichols attended the Vimto launch in Limassol, and KEAN has since remained one of Nichols plc’s longest-standing partners.

In an intimate gathering of partners and friends, KEAN celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1999. The milestone was marked by the “Ocean of Life” campaign, where each four-pack of juice included a collectible blue glass.

Founded in 2005, KEANITA Kids Club, is Cyprus’ largest organized children’s club, engaging with children up to 11 years old. With nearly 10,000 members, KEANITA fosters creativity, imagination, and personal growth through a dynamic range of activities, events and educational seminars. The KEANITA app further enhances the experience by offering interactive games and engaging content, ensuring that children remain inspired and entertained.

Founded in 2008, KEAN Group expanded into the food industry with refrigerated, frozen, and ambient products. By establishing three subsidiaries and service channels, it secured top brand representations in Cyprus, strengthening its retail and food service network.

KEAN’s 60th anniversary in 2009 celebrated the timeless value of the orange in life and mythology. The “KEAN World of Orange” project invited 60 Cypriot artists to transform ceramic oranges into artworks for charity. After exhibitions across Cyprus, the auction in December 2009 raised €22,000 for charitable causes.

In 2014, KEAN expanded its business portfolio by entering a new distribution partnership for ambient, frozen and refrigerated food products, supplying major retail chains and representing renowned brands including H.J. HEINZ, USA. Through this partnership, KEAN distributes a range of iconic, high-quality products, such as HEINZ, Amoy, HP, Lea & Perrins, and Farley’s reinforcing its commitment to quality in the food industry.

KEAN’s 70-year journey is a testament to its enduring vision, resilience, and impact on Cyprus and beyond. The milestone anniversary was celebrated with exciting promotions and a spectacular event featuring the renowned singer Savvopoulos. To honour its rich history, KEAN also published a commemorative book, capturing seven decades of dedication, progress, and success.

In 2024, KEAN proudly celebrated 75 years of passion, quality, and innovation. This milestone celebrates not only our rich history but also the people — our employees, partners, and loyal customers — who have been part of our journey.

In 2024, KEAN Group entered an exciting new chapter as the company transitioned to new ownership. With the arrival of new shareholders, fresh energy and vision are driving the next phase of growth, while honouring the values and legacy that have made Kean a beloved name for 75 years.