Looking on the bright side
Liviu Dragan, Director General, TotalSoft
If the Romanian economy maintains a positive trend, which we all hope to see, we can expect an increase in the number of projects and in their overall value. Such a development not only would have a positive impact on TotalSoft, but also would be beneficial to the entire IT&C industry in Romania, supporting its return to normality. It is far too early to make estimations, but I believe that economic recovery will trigger companies to show a more flexible approach on their expenditure budgets. As for TotalSoft, in addition to the investment in the personnel recruitment process, which is already in progress on external markets for the planned opening of our foreign offices, we have invested over half a million Euro in the new class A headquarters, which we will officially open in the first half of the year.
Simona Veteleanu, Director General, TravelBiz
Although 2009 was a year dominated by the crisis for most companies, we invested over 200,000 Euro in development and promotion, hired five additional members to our staff, and ended the year with five per cent growth (amid a shrinking market). Overall, we worked hard and maintained a positive trend. I am convinced that we can preserve at least the same level of growth in 2010. If the market grows, it will definitely have a positive influence on us. But even if the market stagnates or declines, we will continue to invest in the company’s development.
Jan Van Vulpen, General Manager, Remco Romania
I do not have to much confidence in “window dressing” predictions of analysts and government officials, as some of the figures are just wild guesses or politically driven. The only thing that counts are our own observations. And these are undoubtedly positive and based on facts, not on feelings. As said before, we have every reason to believe that 2010 and 2011 will be the years of the big revival in the construction of industrial buildings in Romania and for sure we will benefit from that.
We do not need to be the biggest, but for sure want to be the best in our segment. And by wanting to be the best you have to make sure that your business processes remain manageable. We put our superb level of service to our clients in jeopardy if we want too much at once. So no rat races for us, but time and attention for our clients and partners to ensure relaxed relationships, proper quality and on-time deliveries (if not better). At the same time, we will not let projects pass by that perfectly fit us and will be able to take this on board due to the high level of “in house flexibility” because of our 75-member strong international team.
Dan Muntean, General Manager, Halewood Romania Ltd.
I wouldn’t open the Champagne just yet…even if this might improve our Champagne sales. As an optimist who always sees the glass empty (i.e. the wine is gone, we need some more!), I believe that our sales will follow up on the timidly, re-emergent ‘feel good’ factor, sometime in the second part of this year.
Nevertheless, it is hard to believe that this ‘feel good’ factor will anytime soon match the level we all enjoyed before recession. With this in mind, Halewood will be looking for development and growth as a result of our competitiveness rather than increased consumption. We will therefore endeavor to produce even better quality wines at even better value for the money! Not only will this keep our marketers and winemakers very busy, but also it will require a significantly enhanced level of skills from their part.
Dudy Perry, General Manager, Sixt New Kopel Group
Our company managed to grow even during the crisis period, mainly because we started selling SH cars through our new company, AAA New Kopel, as well as the new Suzuki cars through our new dealership. Very soon we will be importing the new Chinese brand of cars, Chery. However, all these investments were made because of our confidence that the market will begin to recover during the later part of 2010. This will, of course, increase our need for greater manpower as well as more marketing and advertising activities.
Lucia Morariu, General Manager, Eximtur
We are optimistic as far as 2010 is concerned. We expect a 15 per cent increase in turnover compared to 2009, and predict a further expansion of our market share this year. We have also operated a seven per cent wage increase compared to December 2009.
Octavian Netcu, General Manager, Radiusmed
With the new Government we are hoping for more political stability in 2010 than in the previous year. In the last quarter of 2009 we observed some signs that public spending is beginning to pick up. As such, our company is looking forward to a relaunching of governmental projects in medical infrastructure and high-technology medical-equipment purchases. We are also expecting the total decentralization of the healthcare system. This process should generate more projects financed by the city halls and local councils, considering that hospitals will be the responsibility of these institutions. The funding could come from EU-financed projects, local budgets or else financing facilities from banks and leasing institutions.
While our total turnover last year was the same level as in 2008, at approximately 11.5 million Euro, we forecast a total business of around 18.5 million Euro for 2010. From this, four million Euro will come from new medical-related activities that our group is investing in, and the rest will come from growth of existing lines of business. In 2009 our group of companies employed 28 persons. This year we are budgeting for a total number of 40 – 50 employees.
Sergiu Negut, Executive Manager, Centrul Medical Unirea
The medical sector has been one of the few spared by the crisis. We have seen tremendous development in 2009, with a radical increase in development and marketing expenses. In the future, we need to consider the effects of the overall economy and estimate the impact this will have on our customers before we see the impact on us. At this moment we perceive the adjustments made in the Romanian economy, especially in the second half of 2009, will continue for the next six to twelve months. We have already seen an increase in labor productivity without a major increase in labor costs. In addition, we have realized a more efficient allocation of resources, a reduction in marketing and development budgets, and a more conservative attitude to debt. For most companies, however, only a solid return to growth in sales can justify an increase in marketing expenses and debt structure; therefore we will see relatively minor investments in 2010, which in turn will lead to slower growth in 2011. For the medical sector, this implies maximizing the use of existing capacities with slightly increased allocations for marketing and human resources, with heavy investments in expansion coming only in the second half of 2010 or else early 2011.
At Centrul Medical Unirea, we are in the process of defining a more aggressive development scenario. We hope to be able to allocate resources and finalize investments earlier than most of the participants in the market, aiming for better speed to market for our new services. Nevertheless, for any market player, heavy investments in 2010 will create conditions for a boost in sales only 12 – 18 months after the allocation of funds.
If the Romanian economy maintains a positive trend, which we all hope to see, we can expect an increase in the number of projects and in their overall value. Such a development not only would have a positive impact on TotalSoft, but also would be beneficial to the entire IT&C industry in Romania, supporting its return to normality. It is far too early to make estimations, but I believe that economic recovery will trigger companies to show a more flexible approach on their expenditure budgets. As for TotalSoft, in addition to the investment in the personnel recruitment process, which is already in progress on external markets for the planned opening of our foreign offices, we have invested over half a million Euro in the new class A headquarters, which we will officially open in the first half of the year.
Simona Veteleanu, Director General, TravelBiz
Although 2009 was a year dominated by the crisis for most companies, we invested over 200,000 Euro in development and promotion, hired five additional members to our staff, and ended the year with five per cent growth (amid a shrinking market). Overall, we worked hard and maintained a positive trend. I am convinced that we can preserve at least the same level of growth in 2010. If the market grows, it will definitely have a positive influence on us. But even if the market stagnates or declines, we will continue to invest in the company’s development.
Jan Van Vulpen, General Manager, Remco Romania
I do not have to much confidence in “window dressing” predictions of analysts and government officials, as some of the figures are just wild guesses or politically driven. The only thing that counts are our own observations. And these are undoubtedly positive and based on facts, not on feelings. As said before, we have every reason to believe that 2010 and 2011 will be the years of the big revival in the construction of industrial buildings in Romania and for sure we will benefit from that.
We do not need to be the biggest, but for sure want to be the best in our segment. And by wanting to be the best you have to make sure that your business processes remain manageable. We put our superb level of service to our clients in jeopardy if we want too much at once. So no rat races for us, but time and attention for our clients and partners to ensure relaxed relationships, proper quality and on-time deliveries (if not better). At the same time, we will not let projects pass by that perfectly fit us and will be able to take this on board due to the high level of “in house flexibility” because of our 75-member strong international team.
Dan Muntean, General Manager, Halewood Romania Ltd.
I wouldn’t open the Champagne just yet…even if this might improve our Champagne sales. As an optimist who always sees the glass empty (i.e. the wine is gone, we need some more!), I believe that our sales will follow up on the timidly, re-emergent ‘feel good’ factor, sometime in the second part of this year.
Nevertheless, it is hard to believe that this ‘feel good’ factor will anytime soon match the level we all enjoyed before recession. With this in mind, Halewood will be looking for development and growth as a result of our competitiveness rather than increased consumption. We will therefore endeavor to produce even better quality wines at even better value for the money! Not only will this keep our marketers and winemakers very busy, but also it will require a significantly enhanced level of skills from their part.
Dudy Perry, General Manager, Sixt New Kopel Group
Our company managed to grow even during the crisis period, mainly because we started selling SH cars through our new company, AAA New Kopel, as well as the new Suzuki cars through our new dealership. Very soon we will be importing the new Chinese brand of cars, Chery. However, all these investments were made because of our confidence that the market will begin to recover during the later part of 2010. This will, of course, increase our need for greater manpower as well as more marketing and advertising activities.
Lucia Morariu, General Manager, Eximtur
We are optimistic as far as 2010 is concerned. We expect a 15 per cent increase in turnover compared to 2009, and predict a further expansion of our market share this year. We have also operated a seven per cent wage increase compared to December 2009.
Octavian Netcu, General Manager, Radiusmed
With the new Government we are hoping for more political stability in 2010 than in the previous year. In the last quarter of 2009 we observed some signs that public spending is beginning to pick up. As such, our company is looking forward to a relaunching of governmental projects in medical infrastructure and high-technology medical-equipment purchases. We are also expecting the total decentralization of the healthcare system. This process should generate more projects financed by the city halls and local councils, considering that hospitals will be the responsibility of these institutions. The funding could come from EU-financed projects, local budgets or else financing facilities from banks and leasing institutions.
While our total turnover last year was the same level as in 2008, at approximately 11.5 million Euro, we forecast a total business of around 18.5 million Euro for 2010. From this, four million Euro will come from new medical-related activities that our group is investing in, and the rest will come from growth of existing lines of business. In 2009 our group of companies employed 28 persons. This year we are budgeting for a total number of 40 – 50 employees.
Sergiu Negut, Executive Manager, Centrul Medical Unirea
The medical sector has been one of the few spared by the crisis. We have seen tremendous development in 2009, with a radical increase in development and marketing expenses. In the future, we need to consider the effects of the overall economy and estimate the impact this will have on our customers before we see the impact on us. At this moment we perceive the adjustments made in the Romanian economy, especially in the second half of 2009, will continue for the next six to twelve months. We have already seen an increase in labor productivity without a major increase in labor costs. In addition, we have realized a more efficient allocation of resources, a reduction in marketing and development budgets, and a more conservative attitude to debt. For most companies, however, only a solid return to growth in sales can justify an increase in marketing expenses and debt structure; therefore we will see relatively minor investments in 2010, which in turn will lead to slower growth in 2011. For the medical sector, this implies maximizing the use of existing capacities with slightly increased allocations for marketing and human resources, with heavy investments in expansion coming only in the second half of 2010 or else early 2011.
At Centrul Medical Unirea, we are in the process of defining a more aggressive development scenario. We hope to be able to allocate resources and finalize investments earlier than most of the participants in the market, aiming for better speed to market for our new services. Nevertheless, for any market player, heavy investments in 2010 will create conditions for a boost in sales only 12 – 18 months after the allocation of funds.
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