Petr Subrt, the general manager of Hame Romania, one of the leading players on the canned pate market, says the Czech group is ready to buy any business "worth the money."
"We are aware our business can no longer grow on the inside, but needs to expand," says Petr Subrt. The main things the shareholders in the Czech Republic look at when they consider the opportunity of an investment are the value of the company, of the brand and the financial situation of the company compared against the price the owners are asking.
"Companies that went only for immediate profit in the past will have serious trouble after integration into the European Union, while the owners who made investments can compete on a European market. Only the strong players will survive," adds Petr Subrt.
Czech Republic-based Hame bought Romconserv Caracal in 2005, a meat products company. "Romconserv was the biggest importer of Hame pates, so that the shareholders decided in 2005 it was time to begin production locally," Subrt says.
"I was hired and underwent training for about four months in order to run the factory in Romania," Subrt says.
Coming from a more than nine-year hotel industry background, Hame Romania's general manager says that he has grown accustomed to call "home" the place where he rests after a day's work.
"I've lived in hotels over the last few years and I was travelling a lot. I am not tied to a specific city, I don't have other commitments and I can choose this lifestyle. Maybe in ten years from now I will find it much harder to do. Yet I don't have any problem with this lifestyle now," he explains.
Moreover, Petr Subrt chose to live in Caracal, where the factory is, even though he could have chosen Bucharest. "It was difficult at first, particularly because I came from Prague. Meanwhile, I discovered the advantages of a small town, especially the professional ones: we are like a big fish in rather shallow waters and are feeling very well," he says.
His main priorities are to rebuild the factory in Caracal, bring it in line with the European Union standards, boost the market share and implicitly the business in Romania. "This is a team job, my role is to take care of production," he says. The production capacity of the factory in Caracal will triple over the next three years.
Hame Romania posted approximately 5 million-euro turnover last year, an increase of 120% on 2004. "It was an easy job, because Romconserv did not have high financial results," he specified. The company representatives expect turnover to double this year. "We're on target after the first half as we came close to the entire 2005 turnover in mid year," Subrt adds.
Hame began an investment programme after takeover to bring the factory in line with European Union standards. The most important part of this project is the reconstruction of the factory in Caracal, which commenced this month and is set for completion in November.
Hame in Romania
Posted turnover worth about 5 million euros in 2005, up 120% on 2004
Will triple production capacity over the next three years and staff will reach 400 people
Bought Romconserv Caracal in 2005
Is now making investments in the factory in Caracal to bring it in line with EU standards.
Products sold in Romania: pates, canned luncheon meat, sterilised vegetables, cooked foods, sauces, ketchups, jam, baby food.
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