Our Journey
Our journey began as an onboard catering company with a bold vision: to support people in their work. Driven by ambition and a spirit of innovation, ES-KO quickly expanded its portfolio, evolving beyond catering into procurement and construction. Guided by a commitment to go beyond the ordinary, we have grown into a global leader—ensuring that wherever people work, they have access to the essentials they need, anytime, anywhere.
1995-1974
ORIGINS
1955
The Beginning of a Legacy
ES-KO, originally called ‘SK,’ began as a specialized provider of onboard catering services for the shipping industry. This marked the humble start of what would become a global service provider. The company’s early success was built on its ability to deliver quality food services to vessels navigating international waters.
1960s
Expansion Beyond the Seas
As demand for its services grew, ES-KO expanded its reach beyond the shipping industry. The company began supplying food and non-food items to European ports to support not only its own catering needs but also those of other organizations operating in the region. This marked the first steps toward a diversified service portfolio. Simultaneously, the company branched out by providing logistical support services directly to client operations. The focus was on strategic regions including Africa, the Far East, and the Americas, laying the foundation for ES-KO’s future as an international player in camp management and logistics.
1970s
A New Era in Operations
By the 1970s, ES-KO's operations had evolved. The company began offering full catering and camp management services, marking a pivotal shift in its business model from simply providing food services to managing comprehensive life support systems for large groups in remote and challenging environments. In 1974, ES-KO managed one of the world’s largest logistical and catering contracts of the time: the Trans-Gabonese railway. This high-profile project significantly boosted the company's reputation in the logistics and catering sectors, establishing ES-KO as a leader in large-scale projects.
1980-1997
DEVELOPMENT
1980s
Innovating Logistics and Support
Throughout its history, ES-KO grew beyond catering to include kitchen and canteen equipment supply. It prioritized hygienic food and water storage and developed dedicated distribution systems for multi-site projects, reinforcing its commitment to quality and efficiency.
1988
Serving Those Who Serve
ES-KO secured its first major food supply contract to support 6,000 multinational troops in Namibia. This contract marked a significant milestone, expanding the company’s expertise in providing critical services to military and peacekeeping forces around the world.
1995
Entering Retail and Diversifying
The company took another major step with a diversification strategy by opening its first Retail PX/Duty Free store in Angola. This move solidified its presence in conflict and peacekeeping areas, offering essential goods and services to soldiers in remote locations.
1990s
A Decade of Growth and Global Reach
In the 1990s, ES-KO expanded rapidly, winning major food and water supply contracts for multinational peacekeeping forces. A key milestone was supporting 5,000 peacekeepers in the Former Yugoslavia. As conflict intensified, ES-KO scaled up further, and by 1991 was supplying NATO’s Rapid Reaction Forces across the Balkans — a defining moment in its history.
1996 - 1997
Birth of Engineering Department
The launch of ES-KO’s Construction Business Unit added camp construction, infrastructure, and support services to its portfolio. In 1997, it secured a major milestone contract to build a 500-man camp in Uzbekistan, marking the start of ES-KO’s strong presence in construction across emerging and remote regions.
2000-2008
THE NEW MILLENNIUM
2000s
Global Presence and Turnkey Solutions
Entering the new millennium, ES-KO continued to expand its global footprint by securing high-profile contracts across Africa, Haiti, Cyprus, Sudan, and Lebanon. The company’s range of services grew, providing turnkey solutions for large-scale camps and support services.
2000
Key Contracts in Central Asia and Europe
ES-KO secured two historical contracts in 2000:
- Full catering and camp support services for 1,200 personnel in Croatia.
- The turnkey construction of an 8,000-man camp in Karachaganak, Kazakhstan, showcasing the company’s ability to deliver complex projects in challenging environments.
2004 - 2006
Expanding Operations Across the World
During this period, ES-KO secured major contracts for:
- Full-line rations and logistics for UN missions in Haiti and Lebanon
- PX facility management in Liberia, Afghanistan, and Sudan
- Turnkey camp construction in Iraq and Afghanistan
These wins cemented ES-KO’s reputation as a leading provider of services for multinational peacekeeping forces.
2002 - 2003
The Afghanistan Commitment
ES-KO strengthened its global presence with the turnkey construction of Aegis Camp in Kabul, supporting 200 personnel. Its role in Afghanistan has since expanded. In 2003, ES-KO began supplying food to multinational troops in the DRC — a short-term contract that grew into ongoing support for 20,000 UN peacekeepers annually.
2007 - 2008
Supporting the UK Foreign Office and NATO
ES-KO expanded its presence in Afghanistan by providing catering and laundry services for the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The company also supported NATO troops deployed in Kabul with catering and essential supplies.
2010-2015
FULL SPECTRUM SOLUTIONS
2010s
End-to-End Solutions
In the 2010s, ES-KO reached a new milestone by integrating its four business units, offering seamless end-to-end solutions — from camp construction and catering to food supply and full camp maintenance. This solidified its reputation as a trusted provider of comprehensive turnkey services.
2011-2012
Expanding Services and Innovation
ES-KO’s Catering Unit won a contract to provide catering, cleaning, and maintenance for the UN Mission in Cyprus across seven sites. Meanwhile, its Construction Unit built a bungalow at Senegal’s Hotel Royal Decameron Baobab, highlighting its expanding hotel and prefab solutions portfolio.
2014
Logistics Meets Connectivity
A commercial partnership with SONEMA brought together ES-KO’s logistical expertise and SONEMA’s satellite telecom solutions, offering new, integrated services to the humanitarian and development sectors.
2013
A Force for Good
In 2013, ES-KO marked a major milestone by launching ECO SYSTEM, a Monaco-based subsidiary dedicated to humanitarian projects and supporting the Principality of Monaco’s initiatives.
2015
Sustainable Construction
ES-KO designed and built the Monaco Pavilion for the Milan Universal Expo 2015, showcasing its commitment to sustainability and humanitarian work. The structure was later moved to Burkina Faso, where it now serves as a Red Cross training center.
2019-2025
ACQUISITIONS
2020s
Expansion across Africa
ES-KO expanded rapidly, acquiring companies in the Republic of Congo and Mozambique, and established ES-KO Gabon to strengthen its African operations. It further enhanced its footprint by acquiring IFS and partnering with Alzad to expand facilities and logistics in the Middle East. In 2025, the acquisition of Campania Alimentare boosted ES-KO’s food processing and distribution capabilities across Europe.
2019
Marking UK Projects
ES-KO was contracted by ExxonMobil for the FAST project at the Fawley Refinery in Hampshire, UK. It designed, supplied, and installed temporary facilities — site offices, changing rooms, kitchen and canteen, medical and training areas, and welfare units — supporting over 1,000 personnel. ES-KO also provided waste management, transport, and catering services.
2022
New Subsidiary in Congo
ES-KO expands its presence in Africa by acquiring a company in the Republic of the Congo. This strategic move leads to the establishment of ES-KO Congo, a new subsidiary, strengthening the company’s operations and service capabilities in the region.
2024
A Dynamic Year
ES-KO broadens its capabilities and market reach through two key moves. It acquired IFS (International Facilities Services), strengthening its role in integrated facilities management for large-scale, remote operations. It also formed a strategic partnership with Alzad to boost efficiency and expand high-quality facilities and logistics services across the Middle East and beyond.
2021
FRES-KO is Born
ES-KO is awarded catering contracts for BL Harbert International and the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, managing retail and services at the US Consulate General in Erbil, Iraq. ES-KO provides catering services and operates the FRES-KO restaurant, which includes a pizzeria and cafeteria offering à la carte menus. The "Mirage" Bar and cafeteria provide full catering services daily.
2023
Growing the African Footprint
ES-KO continues its growth in Africa with the acquisition of Smart Catering, leading to the creation of ES-KO Mozambique. Additionally, the company establishes ES-KO Gabon, benefiting from the company's rich history to further reinforce its service offerings in the region.
2025
Strategic Acquisition in Italy
In 2025, ES-KO acquired Campania Alimentare, a Naples-based Italian company, specializing in fresh and frozen meats, dried and chilled foods, and regional specialties. The firm is known for its strict quality standards, sustainable practices, a logistics hub in Capua, and experience serving clients from school catering to international supply. This acquisition strengthens ES-KO’s supply chain and enhances its food distribution capabilities across Europe.