7 minute read
Bateel
arising from COVID-19.”
Indeed, helping to steer Bateel through challenging times are its employees. The pandemic has only amplified the importance of attracting and retaining the right talent and it is an essential component to any successful organisation. In the case of Bateel, Atmar recognises how vital it is that staff are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed at the company.
“This learning journey continues with regular training and development related to our brand and product standards. This ensures that our team members are equipped with the skills required to consistently deliver service excellence,” he continues.
“We know that a career path is important for our team members, and therefore aim to prioritise the internal growth and progression of our high performing colleagues who have the right skills, knowledge and experience to progress. In line with our core values, we actively engage with our team and encourage everyone at all levels to share their innovative ideas and suggestions.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming years, Atmar affirms the priority is to fully recover from the effects of the pandemic while targeting a brighter future internationally.
“While we have made a healthy recovery, our priority is to ensure that the company is effectively positioned to meet the COVID-19 challenges that remain,” he says.
“This means continued improvement in efficiency across the production and distribution network. In terms of markets, we have a good coverage of the Gulf market and are focused on expanding our international presence in cooperation with strong franchise and distribution partners.”
BATEEL INTERNATIONAL
Tel: +971 (0)4 430 7539 info@bateel.com www.bateel.com
To round off each issue, we ask our contributing business leaders for their views on the same question
WHAT WILL BE THE BIGGEST TREND IMPACTING YOUR INDUSTRY IN 2021?
Bernhard Pulferer
CEO, Melecs Group “Post-COVID-19 I expect the electronics industry will be facing strong demand again which after a challenging year is a situation we definitely appreciate.
“On the other hand, there are dark clouds in terms of bottlenecks of specific electronic semiconductor components coming up again. It has previously been a challenge we’ve been able to cope with in the past and will be able to cope with in the future.”
Ata Atmar
Managing Director, Bateel “The rise of e-commerce has been significant in our industry and we think this development will continue, although at a slower rate than what we witnessed in 2020.
“We also saw a clear focus by the consumer on quality and safety, and we were fortunate to have been well-positioned to meet this demand. Our focus on quality and innovation will help capitalise on this trend.”
Mika Kosunen
CMO, Ouneva Group “It’s hard to mention any specific technology that has or will change our industry. Steady and economic evolvement on every aspect is the key to our success. We have steadily updated our manufacturing equipment with short and long-term investments.
“Energy efficiency is one key aspect to push the industry towards environmentally friendly and efficient way to operate. I think that renewable materials will grow their share in future. Automation and strong knowhow on multiple manufacturing technologies will be the key tools for development in the future.”
Ugo Ghilardi
Principal CEO, Itema Group “This pandemic changed our traditional ways of doing business and taught us that, despite being already a multinational company with branches worldwide, we must find new ways to be close to our customers, able to transcend any geographical boundary.
“It’s not easy to make predictions about 2021, but COVID-19 has represented an important challenge for companies on a global scale. Medical and technical textiles will continue to gather a central and more important role in our everyday life.”
Are you a CEO or a Director with a company story to tell? Contact EME Outlook now!
PROFI
A STORY OF EXPANSION DURING TIMES OF DISRUPTION
2
EME Outlook issue 39
Diversify and Thrive
PROFI
RETAIL
Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, Romanian retailer Profi continues to diversify and grow its business to the benefit of consumers
Writer: Sean Galea-Pace | Project Manager: Ben Weaver
Profi is like the agile yacht that can easily change course when opportunities arise and, even more importantly, can sail to treasures in shallow waters that aren’t accessible to large cruisers.”
Those are the words of Pawel Musial, CEO and Chairman of Profi. His shipping analogy showcases how highly his organisation values operating with a flexible approach, particularly during challenging times such as those that the year 2020 has thrown at the world.
Profi is a chain of supermarkets and convenience stores with more than 1,000 locations in Romania owned by Mid Europa Partners.
“At Profi, we’re different,” explains Musial. “We’re a Romanian network managed locally and despite our financial strength not being level with many international competitors, our key strength is that decisions can be made locally and very quickly.”
Having worked in retail since the early 1990s, Musial has worked in several different organisations across numerous countries. Originally a native of Poland, Musial holds a degree in Technology of Nutrition Engineering from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. Now in his second stint as CEO at Profi having left in 2017, Musial’s passion for retail is evident.
“Retail is probably one of the most dynamic lines of work and this why I just love it,” he explains. “There is certainly no time to become bored in retail, decisions must be clear, swift and pertinent.”
At the start of his career, he created his own poultry wholesale firm
EME Outlook issue 39
| 3 See page 24 36
RETAIL
Top: Profi Superbrand 2019. Above: Profi - The best development strategy in retail award 2017
“WE WANT TO GROW THE NETWORK TO MORE THAN 2,000 STORES IN THE NEAR FUTURE. MEANWHILE, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OLD STORES THAT NEED FULL OR PARTIAL REFITTING FOR ALIGNMENT TO CURRENT STANDARDS”
Initially, the programmes were conducted by Profi alone, and donated hundreds of laptops to schools in the communities around its stores. However, as the network expanded, Profi started to enlarge both the geographical area and the domains of action by becoming associated with NGOs with a proven track record of success in supporting health, culture, education, sports and social causes.
Looking to the future, Musial is optimistic about what the next few years could hold for his organisation and is keen to put a challenging 2020 behind him.
“We have lots that we want to achieve,” he notes. “We want to grow the network to more than 2,000 stores in the near future. Meanwhile, there are hundreds of old stores that need full or partial refitting for alignment to current standards.”
However, Musial affirms that despite challenging circumstances, his team have worked together well.
“This year has been hard for us all,” he says. “But, I have to merit our great team for getting through all the difficulties and managing the expansion and renewal of the network as planned. This year, we worked out our strategy for the next four years and with an important new vision in almost every department, 2021 is the first year of changing Profi for the even better.”
PROFI
contact@profi.ro www.profi.ro
EME Outlook issue 39
| 17
Profi has told its story.
Now, why not tell yours? Our bi-monthly magazine EME Outlook is essential reading for business executives wanting to keep up with the latest in global news and trends affecting European and Middle Eastern businesses across all industries.
Reaching an audience of over 395,000 readers, your company can take advantage of exposure in EME Outlook with a FREE article and FREE digital brochure, as well as access to further digital and print-based marketing tools that could transform your business.
To share in this unrivalled opportunity, contact one of our project managers today!
TEKNIKUM GROUP | LOGSTOR
www.emeoutlookmag.com Issue 39
Outlook Creative Services
Complementing the production of EME Outlook, APAC Outlook, Africa Outlook and North America Outlook magazines, Outlook Publishing’s awardwinning in-house team is now utilising these same specialist production skills to offer a full and bespoke range of editorial, design and marketing services via its new Outlook Creative Services division.
For more information on how we can work with you in providing a plethora of completely flexible and customisable production services, please visit:
www.outlookpublishing.com/creative-services
DESIGN: Stephen Giles +44 (0) 1603 959 656 steve.giles@outlookpublishing.com
Devon Collins +44 (0) 1603 959 661 devon.collins@outlookpublishing.com EDITORIAL: Sean Galea-Pace +44 (0) 1603 959 657 sean.galea-pace@outlookpublishing.com
Marcus Kääpä +44 (0) 1603 959 660 marcus.kaapa@outlookpublishing.com
