A E P O R U E Nbusiness Follow us! Our YouTube-Account “Business to go” is your video source for career tips and your work-life balance. Here you can find helpful tips on how to create success, how to structure your working day and how to boost your creativity. Check our account and follow us for not missing anything. Let´s try some gourmet Popcorn from Joe & Seph´s – European Business product test

No chance for damp It can occur in any poorly ventilated house, no matter how grand or ordinary – mould, a result of moisture that can lead to serious health problems. According to the World Health Organisation a large number of cases of childhood asthma are caused by exposure to indoor damp and mould. The earlier the mould is detected and removed the better. Murprotec SA in France is a European leader in damp-proofing treatment. The effective solutions have been in Paris. Along with international a winner right from the begin- growth the company became a ning – not only in Great Britain. In producer itself, providing a war- the mid-1970s, Murprotec started ranty of up to 30 years on its ex- focusing on international markets ceptional treatments. and established a subsidiary in France, followed by Belgium, the Today, the Murprotec Group has Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, 450 collaborators and annual sales We have one distinct focus: we are specialists for anti-damp treatment. Italy and Portugal. The European of 60 million EUR. In France, there headquarters of the dynamic are 76 agencies, 150 partners group is located in Brussels, while and revenues stand at 28 million the French head office is based EUR. The company’s success is Murprotec’s anti-damp solutions come with warranties of up to 30 years www.european-business.com 4 Murprotec – the reliable partner to control damp and humidity prob- lems Damp or mould in the house is types of mould and damp and all never a pleasant discovery – but different causes for the problem. it is a common occurrence, espe- The company is an experienced cially in areas where moisture can and leading provider of efficient come in from outside or in parts of damp-proofing solutions. “Murpro- a house where there is lots of ex- tec was founded in 1954 in Great cess moisture such as bathrooms. Britain,” says Director Jean-Claude Excess moisture can be caused Laporte-Riou. “The same year, the by leaking pipes, rising damp in company obtained a patent for its basements or ground floors, or rain damp treatment solution. There seeping in because of damage to is no doubt that Murprotec has the roof, walls or window frames. always been a pioneer in terms of Murprotec has seen all different solutions against damp.” N A E P O R U E business

Interview with Eugène van den Broek, Commercial Director of the Berdal Group Building a more sustainable future together The construction industry is always expanding and changing. Alongside the commercial building industry, the DIY sector has been steadily on the rise for over a decade. The Berdal Group, headquartered in the Netherlands, has been a leading producer, supplier and private-label specialist of syn- thetic and rubber-based products for the past 45 years. The firm is also active in the creation of a range of products that uses technical mem- branes and waterproofing construction membranes. impact. All mortar tubs are made from 100% recycled, certified materials that have been sourced from plastic household rubbish. The buckets are made from 80% recycled materials and are not at We make over ten million buckets and tubs per year, and aim to double our turno- ver in the next five years. a higher percentage simply due to struction membrane is made from having a steel handle. recyclable polyethylene material. Using this material also means that The production plant in Almelo is comprised of 14 fully automated machines that run 24/7 The second in-house brand is it can be recycled again since the Foliefol. Products in this range in- base product has so many applica- clude things like building film, floor tions. The three main target groups of mercial Director. Other than tubs protectors, packaging products, the Berdal Group are the con- and buckets, this line also includes tapes, damming film and others. Brand number three is Pandser, struction, ironworking and DIY rubber-based products such as, In addition to being produced with including Pandser Fast Flash – a industries. To better serve each hammers, door stoppers, closet high quality and safety standards unique second generation lead sector, the company has divided buffers, knee pads and more. in mind, this brand’s products are replacement line of products. This its product portfolio into four dis- In addition to its versatility, what also very environmentally friendly. brand is great for roof, gutter and tinct in-house brands. The first, makes Gripline even more sought The sustainable and flexible con- Gripline, is very well-known across after is its low environmental all three of the firm’s target groups for its buckets and tubs. There are many different variations within each category to choose from. “Differences in weight, handle type, shape and intended use are all things our clients can consider when choosing the product that fits their needs best,” says Eugène van den Broek, Com- N A E P O R U E business The in-house brand Gripline, developed in the 1990s, remains popular across Europe www.european-business.com 6

Interview with Pierino Bravi, Pres- ident of BRAVIISOL D.M. S.R.L. Platforms perfected with experience When it comes to designing new tools, no one is in a better position to know what is really needed than someone who has actually been a hands-on exponent. This was the starting point for Pierino Bravi’s successful manufacturing firm BRAVIISOL D.M. S.R.L. Mr. Bravi spent over 20 years installing thermal and acoustic insulation, and understood the challenges of ac- cessing high and hard-to-reach areas in comfort and safety. He started building mobile work platforms for his own use, before turning these into a commercial venture. Today, his plat- forms are in demand by customers across the world. His first platforms were launched characteristics that operators really torized lifting platform, which is a onto the market in the mid 1990s. value – including comfort and the safer and more effective alternative “My initial focus was how I could ability to work precisely.” to the ladders and podiums used increase worksite productivity and Headquartered in Castelfidardo in in shops, supermarkets, warehous- efficiency by working more safely central Italy, BRAVI manufactures es and offices. and comfortably,” Mr. Bravi says. a wide selection of mobile work BRAVI’s largest customer group “It took a while. At the time, these platforms and associated acces- is the rental sector, where its work platforms were mainly produced in sories. A highlight of the portfolio is platforms perfectly complement the US and were, I have to admit, the LEONARDO HD, a small, very the usual range of access plat- better than my first models. Today manoeuvrable and highly practi- forms. Around 95% of its products Pierino Bravi has hands-on experience of the building trade though, that has all changed. Our cal machine, which can reach are exported; the company’s main its current 15 million EUR annual platforms are extremely strong and a height of 5 m and is ideal for markets are Northern Europe – in turnover during the coming years. durable, and offer a high level of working in confined spaces. “Our particular Germany, Benelux and “We have to have a good ‘nose’ for comfort. This positive development what the market needs, and this is due, above all, to the fact that I I’ve heard it said that we have a completely unique vision has always been our advantage,” have always applied my first-hand for working platforms, and I believe this is down to my Mr. Bravi sums up. “The company experience as an installer, and as a result have succeeded in in- experience as a hands-on operator. is doing very well and will continue to do so. I believe in this company corporating into our platforms the platforms are a far more comfort- Scandinavia – and the US. “We like a child believes in Christmas.” able and effective alternative to have succeeded in bringing inno- ladders and other, more cumber- vation to the sector, and although some platforms,” stresses Mr. it took time, the competition is now Bravi. “Every worker that has tried somewhat behind us,” notes the the LEONARDO HD in their daily CEO. “I’ve heard it said that we job says that it is truly dependable have a completely unique vision and you never want to get off.” for working platforms, and I believe Other models include the SPRINT, that is down to my experience as a a cost-effective solution, ideal for hands-on operator.” retrieving goods from high shelving and therefore perfect for a ware- With existing production facilities house picking operation where of 3,500 m2 and a new unit of safety and efficiency are vital, and 2,000 m2 shortly to be inaugu- the SPIN-GO, a hand-pushed mo- rated, BRAVI is looking to double BRAVIISOL D.M. S.R.L. SS Adriatica 16 60022 Castelfidardo (AN) Italy  +39 071 7819090  +39 071 7819355  info@bravi-platforms.com  www.bravi-platforms.com www.european-business.com 8 No one wants to get off a LEONARDO HD work platform N A E P O R U E business

Interview with Federico Bonaventura, CEO, and Giovanna Malponte, Managing Director at Sime Partecipazioni S.p.A. Power – for today and tomorrow Italy’s natural gas market is the third largest in Europe. Over recent years, the country has invested heavily in new infrastructure. At the same time, Italy is experiencing increasing demand for electricity generated from renewable sources. The Sime Group in Crema suc- cessfully operates in this competitive and challenging market. The energy provider considers diversification as one key to success. in 2002 we had to separate gas distribution and sales activities,” stresses Mr. Bonaventura, “Società Impianti Metano is currently ac- tive in gas distribution in 40 mu- nicipalities in northern Italy, while Simecom sells gas and electricity to 150.000 customers throughout Italy.” The group has continued to grow since then and now encompasses five companies and a total of 140 employees. In 2005, Sime Energia was established, a company that Sime Polska – established in 2007 and Sime’s first and only international site Società Impianti Metano – synonymous with safety and efficiency in the gas distribution service The electricity market in Italy is make the most of them. “Sime is Sime was founded in 1952 at the perfectly represents the group’s undergoing a significant trans- a well-established market player beginning of methane distribution innovative spirit as it concentrates formation, both in terms of struc- with a long history,” explains CEO in Italy. Back then, even small pri- on renewable energy research ture and regulation. Due to an Federico Bonaventura. “Its name vate companies had the opportu- and designs, manufactures and ongoing sector consolidation, it is is synonymous with stability and nity to participate in public tenders manages cogeneration and district dominated by a limited number of consistency. These characteristics to build and manage gas pipelines heating systems. It runs seven co- players. Furthermore, the govern- ment’s future policy goals include the implementation of structural solutions to increase competitive- ness and bring prices and costs in line with European levels, support SIME has a long history; its consistency and innovative spirit are important trademarks. generation plants with traditional sources and four plants working with renewable energies such as biomass, photovoltaic and hydro- electric. Two years later, in 2007, Sime entered the Polish market for renewables and energy effi- make us stand out, as today many for municipalities. Since those through the foundation of Sime ciency measures and improvement new players enter the market and early days, Sime has witnessed Polska. The company is respon- in the security of energy supply. start from scratch. We are inter- constant growth which has lead to sible for the distribution and sale Sime Partecipazione embraces ested in long-lasting customer the foundation of several compa- of methane gas in Poland and those challenges and is keen to relationships.” nies. “Due to new legal regulations, manages a pipeline of more than N A E P O R U E business www.european-business.com 10

Interview with Ray Kemp, CEO at BTC BV From telecom to full IT service provider Globalized and interconnected markets present opportunities for the democratization of technology. What does that mean? For BTC, it means bringing advanced technological solutions normally reserved for corporations, such as cloud-computing and mobile work platforms, to smaller and medium-sized firms in the Dutch market. Currently a major telecom reseller with a large client base in the Netherlands, BTC has brought in CEO Ray Kemp to mastermind an expansion into this new area. His plan has the potential to revolutionize not just the company, but small and medium-sized firms in the whole country. CEO Ray Kemp has a passion for seeing enterprises grow, with an impressive track record of success “A huge gap is opening up for myth of Prometheus. Just like moving towards an IT managed such a long legacy, we understand providers who can make cloud the Greek hero, BTC has several service provider (MSP) has that a lot has to be uprooted, computing and mobile platforms assets that make it well placed needed a strict timeline. “Since and it’s important to timetable available for small and medium to complete this task,” the CEO my January start, I have taken this. On 30th August, I headed enterprises (SMEs),” begins Mr. explains. “Even before I took on one month to thoroughly analyze a Management Buy Out (MBO). Kemp. “The benefits for SMEs the role, it was easy to see that the firm, and now we know where This means that the founders are are huge. Once everything is cloud-based, everything is flexible; think of the money and time that can be saved on commuting, and the boost in productivity to smaller enterprises throughout Once everything is cloud-based, everything is flexible; think of the money and time that can be saved on commuting, and the boost in productivity to smaller enterprises through- out the Netherlands. now only shareholders and will also be part of the advisory board as of next year. I was brought in to bring the company up to date, which sometimes requires big changes in direction. It is really a the Netherlands. It really is a race BTC was a well-established name, we are heading. We really want major motivation for me to shape to be the first one to offer such and had a unique opportunity to be there in 18 to 24 months. companies. My personal creed is: a service.” Mr. Kemp has been to be the first to provide the IT This is combined with a buy-and- Keep IT simple’.” at the company since January services of tomorrow, due to its build strategy.” The company 2019, so he has had plenty of 2,500-strong client base of Dutch is a fairly long-term player on What will it look like on the other time to establish a strong working SMEs already using its telecom the market, at least for telecom, side? This was one of the first plan for the firm’s aim of reaching services.” having been around since the year questions that Mr. Kemp looked small and medium-sized Dutch 2000. “Throughout that time, the to answer. “The real growth area businesses. “Our vision for this The firm has historically been a business model has been rather is in full-service provision, so expansion is similar to the Greek provider of telecom services, so static,” notes Mr. Kemp, “With connectivity will remain part of it, N A E P O R U E business www.european-business.com 12

Interview with Anne Berit Rørlien, CEO of Viken Fiber AS How to modernize a country Fibre networks are the future in delivering high-speed broadband services for the Internet of Things, video streaming and other, in- creasingly data-intensive applications. Viken Fiber AS, a Norwegian fibre pioneer, has been laying fibre cables for the past 14 years and with its advanced technology, the company is challenging the tradi- tional providers and enhancing Norway’s modernization. Viken Fiber AS Grønland 70 3045 Drammen Norway  +47 21 454500  +47 21 454501  www.vikenfiber.no Viken Fiber is Norway’s largest fibre company, building and op- erating fibre glass networks and providing broadband services, in cooperation with Altibox, across wide areas of eastern Norway. Based in Drammen, the capital of the county of Buskerud, the most populated part of Norway, the company has been building fibre networks since 2005. “Already in 2004 we had the idea to develop the digital infrastructure and pro- vide households and businesses Viken Fiber has managed to turn the cost-intensive digging and cable laying into a profitable activity enhancing Nor- way’s digitalization with high-capacity, broadband equipped 500 households with network access points,” says CEO fibre connections. The pilot was Anne Berit Rørlien. “Our focus was highly successful, despite the high on being a challenger in the tel- costs for the cabling. Many market ecommunications market. For this participants did not believe in the purpose, we started a pilot project project, but we demonstrated that in a limited region around Oslo and the future lies in fibre networks and that a significant return on We are the fibre leader in Norway. investment is possible within a very and went from door to door. Soon, reasonable time.” After the suc- the company was able to win cessful pilot, Viken Fiber rolled out 20,000 fibre clients. “In 2013, five its fibre network initiative further companies from the sector merged N A E P O R U E business www.european-business.com 14

Promising perspectives in sight Vision loss can affect people of all ages – and can change life dramatically. Often, it has a significant effect on everyday life, and patients experience continuous mental stress due to worries, anxiety, or fear of consequences such as depression or social isolation. Retinitis pig- mentosa (RP) is a progressive degenerative disease of the retina that can lead to blindness. Now, Okuvision GmbH from Reutlingen is giving hope to patients suffering from RP. The com- pany has developed OkuStimⓇ, a system that offers the chance to slow down the progression of RP. The human senses are our con- The complete loss or the deteriora- degree of vision in patients who nection with the environment. The tion of eyesight can feel frighten- have become blind from retinitis eyes are considered by far the ing. For this reason, OkuStim is pigmentosa. Retina Implant was most important of our sensory or- gaining increasing interest from founded in 2003 with the great gans. Up to 80% of all impressions patients who put their hope in this vision to develop a treatment for are perceived through our eyes. innovative therapy system. the previously incurable disease retinitis pigmentosa. Thanks to in- Okuvision is the company behind tense research and development, OkuStim; its ambitious goal is to it successfully developed a subreti- slow down the progressive loss of nal implant able to restore partial vision in hereditary retinal diseases sight to people who receive little and to maintain people’s quality of or no light due to various forms of life. Since June 2019, Okuvision degenerative retinal diseases. The OkuStim – a promising therapeutic ap- proach that could be a life-changer has been operating as an inde- implant features 1,600 photo- ease. In 2016, the relevant chip pendent company; it was previous- diodes and stimulation contacts Alpha AMS was awarded CE certi- ly a subsidiary of Retina Implant that partially replace photorecep- fication and received outstanding AG, a company that concentrated tors destroyed by the retinal dis- international recognition. on the development of retinal im- plants that can restore a certain Patients can easily self-administer OkuStim at home OkuStim is designed to promote cell protection in the retina. Despite its ground-breaking thera- py concept, Retina Implant’s story ended this year. “Unfortunately, due to bureaucracy and labori- ous approval procedures, Retina www.european-business.com 16 N A E P O R U E business

Interview with Dr. Frank Mathias, CEO, Dr. Ralph Otto, COO, and Federico Pollano, Senior Vice President for Business Development at Rentschler Biopharma SE From gene to vial and from clinic to market Independent family-owned company Rentschler Biopharma SE is proud of its incredible 90- year history in the production of pharmaceuticals. During the early years, the company gath- ered extensive experience through the development of over-the-counter and prescription medicines. In 1974 it was one of the first companies to enter the brand-new field of biotech- nology, and since 1997, the high-end technology provider has focused exclusively on the de- velopment and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals without having an own product line thus being able to be fully dedicated to high end service business. Headquartered in Laupheim in southern Germany, Rentschler Biopharma today fulfils contracts worldwide. “Rentschler Biopharma develops for Business Development Fed- and manufactures products exclu- erico Pollano. “We do not create sively on behalf of its customers, internal competition. Instead we and is among the five largest con- consider our customers to be tract development manufacturing partners because of the close co- organizations (CDMO),” explains operation that is necessary.” This CEO Dr. Frank Mathias. “Thanks is not Rentschler Biopharma’s only to our huge number of competent competitive advantage. “Our dedi- employees with impeccable cre- cated staff do not fear complexity dentials in biotechnology who are and continue working where oth- passionate about their work, we ers would perhaps give up,” says find solutions where others don’t COO Dr. Ralph Otto. “We have even look.” Rentschler Biopharma significant experience, and have is a renowned specialist: It col- processed more than 250 projects CEO Dr. Frank Mathias (left) and COO Dr. Ralph Otto (right) are incredibly proud of Rentschler Biopharma’s achievements laborates with its clients as their worldwide.” Rentschler Biopharma diseases. “There is always scope solution partner and provides offers an end-to-end service, cov- which means that decisions can be to understand the causes of dis- flexible service. “Rentschler Biop- ering the whole value chain from made quickly, efficiently and, most eases better and thus offer very harma is one of the very few firms gene to vial, from clinic to market. importantly, based on a long-term specific solutions,” explains Dr. to genuinely focus on developing The Rentschler family remains perspective. and manufacturing biopharmaceu- involved in the company. Prof. Dr. Otto. “Complex molecules can specifically intervene in certain ticals exclusively for customers,” Nikolaus F. Rentschler is Chair- The pharmaceutical industry is biochemical processes in the underlines Senior Vice President man of the Supervisory Board, still pursuing solutions for many body. These are like adapted an- The company employs around 800 staff, including scientists with impeccable credentials in biotech- nology, at its headquarters in Laupheim N A E P O R U E business www.european-business.com 18

Interview with Dr. Davide Rosiello, Founder and Managing Director of BIOVIIIx Srl In February 2019, BIOVIIIx won the prestigious Fonti Award for excellence in innova- tion and leadership in the pharmaceutical and biotech sector Employing a total of 15 staff, BIOVIIIx is headquartered in Naples Pharma with the human touch A pharmaceutical company which genuinely puts patients at the forefront of its activities: Sadly a rarity in this day and age, but nevertheless, such organizations do exist. Italian bio- tech and pharmaceutical firm BIOVIIIx Srl is a perfect example of how a company can re- spect patients’ needs, and those of its partners, suppliers and employees, and at the same time develop a successful business. BIOVIIIx specializes in the field of blood disorders and rare disease, with a particular focus on hemophilia. The company was founded in in such a situation, even if the cost BIOVIIIx specializes in hemophilia created several start-ups to under- 2013 by Dr. Davide Rosiello, who of delivery is more than the cost and other rare blood disorders. take research initiatives in collabo- was motivated by a number of fac- of the drugs, to ensure that the The company began by selling ration with a number of Italian and tors which he considered lacking patient is taken care of.” Another hemophilia products made by British universities. 3P Sense Ltd in the pharmaceutical sector. “I aspect of large-pharma culture pharma concern Baxter (today was created in 2015 as a research had worked in the biotech sector which concerned Dr. Rosiello was Takeda) which had, at that time, venture with University College for 25 years, and recognized that the lack of discussion between not been commercialized. Some London, and has patented solu- although the big pharma concerns claimed to focus on patient needs, that was often not the case,” he says. “I wanted to create a firm with a strong human element, to I wanted to create a firm with a strong human element, to really get close to patients’ problems. tions relating to fast and precise diagnosis in coagulation and on- cology. Oncovix is a collaboration with the University of Catania, spe- cializing in research and product really get close to patients’ prob- scientists and hospitals. “We of the profits were invested in re- development relating to pancreatic lems. Our philosophy is about spend a huge amount of time on search; BIOVIIIx has now secured cancer; its Duo Fix Combination, creating a balance between social the education of our staff; they are three international patents – one which was patented in 2017, is engagement and financial necessi- renowned for their knowledge of in the area of coagulation, and two currently undergoing clinical stud- ty. For example, it may be difficult products and therapies, and have in hematology oncology – and is in ies. IT Health Fusion is BIOVIIIx’s to get medication to a patient in a extensive contact with the clinics,” the process of establishing its own sales division, which supplies hos- particular country. We will deliver adds the Managing Director. R&D facility. The company has pitals and research centers with N A E P O R U E business www.european-business.com 20

Interview with Sven Henrichwark, CEO of Echosens The second phase of a winning start-up Disrupting well-established markets, such as healthcare, often requires pioneering for inno- vative technologies. That is exactly what Echosens has done with FibroScan®, its flagship liver health product. Developed from the PHD research of founder Laurent Sandrin, Echosens non-invasive diagnostics and monitoring technology has radically improved and simplified the diagnosis of liver health. But how is a successful start-up leveraging its growth beyond its revolutionary flagship product? For new CEO Sven Henrichwark, the key has been taking a fresh look at why the firm has flourished, and what made it great in the first place. “Echosens’ products have become that FibroScan® radically simplifies successful globally in a very short the monitoring of the liver, is cost space of time, with currently 40% effective, and the results are easy of sales in the US, 40% in Europe to interpret and communicate to and 20% in Asia,” reports Mr. the patient. An examination takes Henrichwark, CEO of the firm since three minutes and you don’t need June 2018. “The core reason is a special qualification to do it. It’s the perfect product for a time when healthcare systems are look- ing to become better and be more efficient, and where patients want to make informed decisions about their health.” The company’s fundamental ability to continuously innovate is what the CEO has identified as being central to the firm’s competitive 5,000 FibroScan® devices have been sold to date Keeping the focus on research and development is something that has been key to our success. advantage. As Mr. Henrichwark clinical research focus to become over 1,000 peer-reviewed publica- explains: “Keeping the focus on a key player in identifying and tions. We were rewarded for our research and development has monitoring liver disease caused by persistence and, after approval in been key to our success. Having Hepatitis C. That was a real turning the US in 2013, sold something our founder Laurent Sandrin as point in raising FibroScan®’s pro- like 1,000 instruments within two our CTO is key to preserving our file as powerful technology in the years. Our US business has been a innovative start-up DNA in R&D, medical community.” primary driver of growth ever since continuously broadening the appli- but there is still plenty of room to cations of FibroScan®. That has al- This leads Mr. Henrichwark to the grow our installed base.” lowed us to move beyond an initial next level for the company: a focus Echosens is pivoting towards making tablet-sized devices “FDA approval for Echosens took the firm allowed us to stay open nine years in total, despite having to learning continuously about on the US and the NASH market. “Maintaining the start-up spirit of N A E P O R U E business www.european-business.com 22

European Business & more... c o m i n g s o o n N A E P O R U E business www.european-business.com 24 Nbusiness www.european-business.com A E P O R U E Textile & Fashion