CORPORATE: INTERVIEW
Michael Orfanoudakis, General Director of Marbo Product and Commercial Director of PepsiCo for the Western Balkans
There Will Always Be Challenges To Overcome The success of our company is based on our quick and tailored reactions, our commitment to the local market, and the continuous growth of exports to the EU markets, which is an important incentive for us. Such developments are not only beneficial for our company, but also for Serbia and its future
B
y employing the highest standards in business and combining the expertise of PepsiCo and the needs of consumers on the local market, we have created a company that is successful, environment-conscious and responsible to its employees, and which by so doing contributes to the improvement of the overall business and economic situation in Serbia.
► Following its acquisition by PepsiCo, Marbo Product has undergone significant changes. In which production and sales segment has the company achieved the greatest progress? – In 2008 we became part of a multinational company that operates with the highest standards in mind. Alignment with those standards was the first phase of integration and it lasted until 2011. During this phase, we have been working on a comprehensive improvement of all business processes – production, logistics, commercial and financial. After this consolidation of business standards a modern high-capacity potato chips production line was implemented. Additionally, we set up a wastewater treatment plant which is in line with PepsiCo highest standards of sustainable development. Special focus was given on distribution and go-to- market capabilities adapting PepsiCo processes and systems aiming to secure that all of our brands and wide range of products are available to consumers across West Balkan region. We upgraded and extended the knowhow and skill sets of our employees through continuous training and education, ranging from
functional to managerial. By engaging talented people, we have created a high-quality, supportive and creative working environment, and the prestigious awards "Top Employers Europe" and "Top Employers Serbia", which we won for the second time in a row, are a sign of our commitment to creating the best possible business environment for our employees. ► Just like PepsiCo Group, Marbo Product has also been recognised for actively participating in socially responsible activities. What motivates you to carry out such projects? – As a part of the PepsiCo Group, we are deeply dedicated to the PepsiCo mission "Performance with Purpose". We are continuously
and give them the opportunity to start working with us after completing one-year training. Furthermore, given that the residents of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina were faced with the consequences of natural disasters in 2014, we considered it our duty to support international efforts to overcome these consequences. We did so thru PepsiCo Foundation and world food program.
► How beneficial is the current business climate for your company, given the present economic conditions? – There will always be challenges and circumstances that one need to overcome, but the success of our company is based on our quick and tailored reactions to such circumstances. We manage to adapt the products we offer to the actual needs of the consumers, by which we further underline our commitment to the local market. Over the past several years, we have had a continuous growth of export to the EU markets UK, France, Belgian, Netherlands, Romania, which was an important step for us. Such developments are not only beneficial for our company, but they also contribute to the improvement of overall business and economic situation in Serbia, bearing in mind that we fully operate by the local regulations, and intend to do so in the future. ■
We have created a high-quality, supportive and creative working environment and the prestigious awards "Top Employers Europe" and "Top Employers Serbia" came as a sign of our commitment to creating the best possible business environment for our employees working on building a healthier future for all the people and the planet, because this ensures a more viable future for PepsiCo. We have launched very representative projects in each of the areas stipulated by this mission. Best examples are innovative environmental solutions for waste water treatment in the Maglić plant and the PepsiCo Start project through which we recruit young graduates
THE VIEW ON 2016/17 FOREIGN INVESTORS COUNCIL IN SERBIA 67