Gastronomic Excellence with International Presence
Interview with Gabriel Bakir, Corporate Strategy & Development Manager at GGM Gastro International GmbH
The gastronomy sector faces diverse challenges, but also tremendous opportunities. A prime example of entrepreneurial success in this industry is GGM Gastro International GmbH. Founded in 2004 in Gronau, the company has developed into a leading supplier of catering supplies, operating globally today.
The beginnings of GGM Gastro International GmbH were modest. The founders, coming from different areas, decided in 2004 to pool their expertise. One of the founders, Manuel Elmar, was active as a gastronomy store builder, while the other, Marcus Inan, was a wholesale dealer for gastronomy foodstuffs. Together, they laid the foundation for a company that now achieves an impressive annual turnover of 500 million EUR and boasts a warehouse space of 80,000 m2 in Ochtrup.
The move from Gronau to Ochtrup in 2012 marked an important step in the expansion and optimization of logistics. The new, larger warehouse spaces made processes considerably more efficient and significantly expanded the range of products.
A key success factor for the company is the combination of online and offline presence. While the majority of business is conducted online, physical presence in the form of showrooms and direct customer contact is essential to gain customer trust and ensure high-quality consulting. "We want to bridge the gap between online and offline because it is a very consultation-intensive business," explains Gabriel Bakir, who has been with the company since 2015 and now plays a key role in business development. This hybrid strategy allows GGM to comprehensively meet the needs of modern gastronomy customers.
Global Expansion and Employee Development
With locations in 20 countries, from Spain to China, GGM Gastro International has built an impressive international presence. This is also reflected in the number of employees, which has globally risen to about 1,000. Despite the global growth, the company remains true to its culture, which is based on flat hierarchies and an open-door policy. "The customer is king," emphasizes Gabriel Bakir, highlighting that this philosophy is lived at all levels of the company and ensures a motivating and productive work environment.
Focus on Skilled Labor Shortage
Another important issue for GGM Gastro International is the shortage of skilled workers, which affects the entire industry. 'It is indeed a problem to find qualified employees,' says Gabriel Bakir. To meet this challenge, the company recruits worldwide and offers attractive working conditions. 'We are fortunate that we are active in many countries and can thus access different labor markets,' he adds. GGM places great emphasis on a positive corporate culture, characterized by flat hierarchies and open communication. This contributes to the company not only attracting new talent but also retaining them in the long term.
Customer Orientation and Technological Innovation
The high availability and rapid delivery of products are central pillars of the business model of GGM Gastro International. These aspects are crucial to meet the high demands of catering customers, who often have short-term needs for equipment and materials. With a sophisticated storage and logistics system, GGM ensures that products are always available and can be delivered quickly. The company employs state-of-the-art technologies and efficient processes to guarantee smooth handling. Moreover, the company relies on modern structures and systems to continuously drive improvements and innovations.
This willingness to innovate is not only evident in internal process optimization, but also in the development of new products. Each new product is carefully tailored to meet customer needs and simplify workflows in the catering industry. "We are always striving to integrate the latest technologies to provide our customers with the best possible solutions," explains Gabriel Bakir. This includes both the digitalization of processes and the use of artificial intelligence to optimize the ordering and delivery process.
Outlook and Vision
The future vision of GGM Gastro International is clear: "We want to become the Amazon of the catering industry," says Gabriel Bakir. The goal is to be present in every catering operation worldwide, which will be achieved through continuous growth and expansion of the product portfolio. "We expect an annual growth of at least 25% and aim to continue writing our success story," he adds. In the long term, the company plans to invest even more in sustainability and technological innovation to remain a leader in the industry. "What drives me here is that you can see the effects of your work very quickly. You see the results and that's something I enjoy," says Gabriel Bakir. With a strong focus on customer and employee satisfaction and continuous improvement, GGM Gastro International lays the foundation for a promising future.