Shirak is a region in the North West  of  Armenia.  This  region  has  been blessed with incredible pastures that facilitate the development of animal breeding and dairy industry in the area.

   Gevorg Atoyan is an inhabitant of Gyumri,  the  administrative  center  of  Shirak Region. In  1994, he decided to run a trading business and established Vanatur Company in Gyumri. The store was selling foodstuff, fruits, vegetables, and other products.

   Being engaged in selling dairy products, Mr.  Atoyan  noticed  that  good quality milk and dairy products almost do not exist in the local market and the quantities are insufficient. In addition, his observations revealed that dairy products coming from Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, very often reach the region on the third day, having a visible influence on the quality of dairy products.

   In 1999, taking an  advantage  of  the  market  gap  in  the  dairy  area,  he decided to get involved in the production of dairy products and provide better quality food to the consumer. Vanatur was reregistered in April 2000, and was renamed to  “G. Atoyan & Friends”.

   A facility was found, rented, fully renovated, and turned into  a  milk  and dairy production plant.

   All necessary equipment was located in Moscow and by the  support  of USDA Marketing Assistance Project (MAP) was brought into the country. 

   Today  the   company   employs   10   people   and   annually processes 200 tonnes of milk. Fresh milk supplied by 45-50 farmers of the region is checked at the lab on daily basis.

    During 2001-2002  the  assortment  of  the  company  was  diversified by yogurt with various fresh fruits additives. It was a good gift for kids who enjoy different flavors of the wonderful product.

    The demand for the company products drastically increased during  the last several months of 2002.