Discover the features of the interactive European Business ePaper PRESENT YOUR COMPANY OR SERVICE IN OUR NEXT EPAPER Give us a call! 0049 5971 921610 European Business ePaper Digital issues of European Business – easily accessible and always available. No matter whether it is a special or a regular issue, take advantage of additional digital features such as clicking on a company’s link or connecting with a business via email. NAVIGATION At the bottom of the ePaper, you’ll find the navigation bar. Use the icons to navigate through the ePaper. Table of Contents Pages Overview Search in Document Share Page Imprint Zoomfactor Switch to Fullsreen Start a movie by clicking on the play button. www.european-business.com 2

Interview with Michel Rahn, Managing Director of HKR GmbH & Co. KG Involvement from the shop floor to the management The German Vaillant Group is a global market and technology leader in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning solutions. One of its subsidiaries, HKR GmbH & Co. KG, supplies the Group with high-quality components, particularly precision-machined brass parts. Since it started targeting third-party customers four years ago, the medium-sized company has developed very success- fully – not least to a corporate culture which involves everyone from the shop floor to the management. HKR manufactures and machines motive industry and supply chain of the company with a focus on Stiebel Eltron. “In 2017 alone, we turned, milled and forged parts for management at home and abroad. the production of precision brass, achieved almost 40% growth on heating, sanitary, automotive, hy- HKR is a member of the Vaillant steel and aluminium parts,” notes external component orders,” Mr. draulic, electronic and several oth- Group, a leading international sup- Mr. Rahn, describing an impor- Rahn points out. “We want to con- er applications. Based in Roding plier of heating, ventilation and tant milestone in the company’s tinue our external growth strategy near Regensburg in Bavaria, the air-conditioning technology with development. “A year later, we and acquire additional, non-group company processes a wide range headquarters in Remscheid, North started contract manufacturing for customers.” of materials, including brass, alu- Rhine Westphalia. external customers to better utilize minium, steel, stainless steel and our production capacity and set Besides pushing the company’s plastic. “Our core competence lies HKR was established in 1966, as up our own sales and distribution external development, HKR is in turned components made from a Vaillant production facility. In organization.” Since it opened up working on strengthening its brass,” says Managing Director 2006, the company was turned to the market four years ago, HKR corporate identity and establish- Michel Rahn who joined HKR two into an independent subsidiary, has acquired many additional ing a culture based on trust and years ago after having gathered with its own brand and product clients outside the Vaillant Group, common goals. “In cooperation in-depth management expertise in development. “In 2013, we imple- including industry leaders like with two consulting firms, we are the metal processing sector, auto- mented a strategic reorientation Honeywell, Mahle, Siemens and developing a vision for HKR which, HKR specializes in high-quality, turned brass components for heating, sanitary and many other applications Based in Roding in eastern Bavaria, HKR is a classic contract manufacturer with a constantly growing customer base N A E P O R U E business www.european-business.com 4

Interview with Peter Niklasch, Export Manager for the DACH area at Novalca Srl The right ingredients A comprehensive product range meeting all customer requirements, first-rate quality, excel- lent value for money, outstanding flexibility in developing individual solutions and growing use of secondary raw materials to reduce its environmental footprint: these are the ingredi- ents of a highly successful corporate strategy. Novalca Srl is a dynamically evolving supplier of thermoplastic compounds with major customers in the automotive industry and many other demanding sectors and has ambitious international expansion plans. Novalca manufactures thermo- Germany, Austria and Switzerland, olo. Together, the plants have an states Mr. Niklasch. The modern plastic compounds for applica- who has been working for Novalca annual production capacity of production equipment consists of tions in the automotive, electrical, for over 20 years. “I helped Noval- 20,000 t. “We are currently run- ten twin-screw extruders and five household appliance and railway ca develop the German-speaking ning close to full utilized capacity,” conventional extruders. In the last industries. The comprehensive markets and reconcile the different product range includes acryloni- mentalities: the Italian flexibility trile butadiene styrene compounds and the German straightforward- (Novakral ABS), polycarbonate ness.” compounds (Novalux PC), blended polycarbonate and ABS com- Based in Cassano d’Adda in the pounds (Novablend PC/ABS), pol- Metropolitan City of Milan in Lom- yamide 6 compounds (Novamide bardy, Novalca was founded by the PA6), polyamide 12 compounds Italian Carluccio family in 1976. (Novamide PA12), polyamide 66 Since then, the company has compounds (Novamide PA66). All turned into one of the leading sup- thermoplastics are available with pliers of high-quality thermoplastic specific technical properties, such compounds in Italy and the whole We are currently running close to full utilized capacity. as improved fluidity, superior rigid- of Europe. At present, Novalca is ity, glass fiber reinforcement or managing the generational change heat and flame resistance. “Most with the son and the daughter of of our products have a UL listing the founding family taking over and have been certified by Under- responsibility and leading the com- writers Laboratories, an independ- pany into the future. Novalca has ent quality assurance organiza- three manufacturing facilities: two tion,” says Peter Niklasch, Export at its main site in Cassano d’Adda Manager for the DACH countries of and one in neighbouring Pozzu- N A E P O R U E business Novalca’s modern production equipment consists of ten twin-screw extruders and five conventional extruders The annual production capacity of Novalca is 20,000 t of high-quality thermoplastic compounds www.european-business.com 6

Interview with Luc Sommerard, Managing Director, and Mélanie Planchon, Marketing & Communication Manager at MCD SAS MCD SAS Lieu-dit ‘Le Vieux Château’ 02300 Guny France  +33 3 23526767  +33 3 23526768  www.groupmcd.com Maintaining the edge in gasket manufacturing MCD manufactures over 1,000 different replacement gas- kets and plates at its own production facility in China Quality is of para- mount important; raw materials are sourced in Europe and meet all the relevant European standards In addition to its manufacturing ac- tivities, MCD also offers customers in France, Bel- gium, Luxembourg and Switzerland a comprehensive maintenance and repair service A maintenance company that also manu- factures its own spare parts: An interesting concept and one which has catapulted French company MCD SAS to the forefront of its market. The firm is a specialist in the main- tenance of plate heat exchangers, and also produces an extensive range of gaskets in many shapes, sizes and materials, ensuring it has the perfect sealing solution for its clients’ equipment, irrespective of which brand of plate heat exchanger is installed. As both maintenance firm and manufacturer, we see the requirements of our customers from two perspectives, and we can meet all their needs. Founded in 1969, and headquar- ample, in milk pasturization, main- tered in Guny in northern France, tenance and the replacement of MCD is the world market leader in parts is required every six months. replacement gaskets for plate heat In contrast, components used in exchangers. “Originally, we were geothermal equipment providing purely a service provider in the warm water for a housing unit can maintenance of plate heat exchang- last for many years and are only ers,” explains Managing Director replaced when they are worn out.” Luc Sommerard. “These are used An essential part of a maintenance to exchange fluids at different tem- programme is ensuring that the peratures in a variety of different equipment is effectively sealed. “Of sectors – the food, automotive, cos- course, Original Equipment Manu- metics, and chemical industries for facturers (OEMs) sell gaskets and example – and, according to their plates, but end-users often choose application, are subject to diverse replacement parts from an alter- maintenance schedules. For ex- native supplier,” Mr. Sommerard www.european-business.com 8 N A E P O R U E business

Interview mit Marek Dymek, CEO, and Jacek Malec, Production Director of Zelmotor Sp. z o.o. Perfect combination Quality, made-to-measure products, outstanding customer orientation and fast, reliable de- livery – what sounds like the perfect combination of critical success factors is daily routine at Zelmotor Sp. z o.o. Based at the heart of Europe, the Polish company supplies electrical mo- tors to major home appliance firms at home and abroad. and the workforce from customer demands,” states Mr. Zelmer and are continu- Dymek. “It is better to be a manu- ing the long tradition in facturer of customized solutions manufacturing electri- than a mass producer.” In Poland, cal motors which dates Zelmotor does not have much back to 1958,” states Mr. competition. “Our main competi- Dymek. tors come from other European countries and China,” explains Mr. Zelmotor produces over Dymek. “We have the advantage, two million high-perfor- though, of being in the middle of mance, low-noise com- Europe and thus closer to our cli- mutator motors per year. ents.” “We have quality products, The company boasts can deliver at short notice and are state-of-the-art produc- very flexible in meeting individual tion equipment and its customer needs,” says Mr. Malec. own research and de- “We are planning to build a new velopment facilities. “We factory and relocate to that facility have a construction and for strategic reasons,” concludes technology lab where we Mr. Dymek. design new motors and improve existing prod- Zelmotor boasts state-of-the-art production and laboratory equipment Zelmotor produces over two million high-quality electrical motors annually Zelmotor is the largest Polish man- Production Director Jacek Malec. ucts,” explains Mr. Malec. When it ufacturer of electrical motors for Zelmotor has 195 employees started eight years ago, Zelmotor home appliances such as vacuum and sales revenues close to nine was primarily focused on large cleaners, mixers and fans. In addi- million EUR. The company was production volumes and stand- tion, the company offers plastic in- established as a spin-off of Zelmer ard motors. “Today, we have a jection, mechanical machining and plastic stamping services, also for external customers. “We produce almost 100% of the motor com- ponents, including all plastic parts and the shafts,” says CEO Marek We have quality products, can deliver at short notice and are very flexible in meeting individual customer needs. Dymek. “At the same time, we pro- S.A., the leading Polish supplier much bigger product portfolio with vide contract manufacturing ser- of household appliances, in 2010. custom-engineered electrical mo- vices to third-party clients,” adds “We took over the machinery tors for a wide diversity of specific N A E P O R U E business Zelmotor Sp. z o.o. ul. Przemysłowa 4a 35105 Rzeszów Poland  +48 17 8658555  +48 17 8658452  marketing@zelmotor.pl  www.zelmotor.pl www.european-business.com 10

Interview with Pascal Bytebier, Managing Director of Eternum SA Knife’s edge A nice meal is not just about the food, it is just as much about the company we enjoy, as well as the atmosphere created by details such as music, lighting or tableware. Eternum SA, based in Gembloux in the Belgian province of Namur, is a manufacturer of cutlery for the hospitality trade, hotels and restaurants, as well as for consumers. In order to provide top standard products, Eternum is the last Belgian manufacturer to use Inox, also known as stainless steel. But customers do not only appreciate the quality of the material, but particu- larly its elegant designs that cater to any taste and will add to any table. “We have three product families”, cutlery of 18/10 Inox for new mod- As it is, Eternum’s aptitude for its have our storage facility as well as says Pascal Bytebier, Managing els. “We cooperate with various trade is based on a long history. our commercial and financial de- Director of Eternum, describings excellent designers, and we own The town of Gembloux is histori- partments.” At its facility, Eternum the company’s product portfolio. the designs for this collection,” cally renowned for its cutlery pro- employs 25 members of staff and “These are: Eternum Collection, states Mr. Bytebier. “With a couple duction. But while the competition turns over around 13 million EUR Eternum Signature, and Gastro- of them, we won the designer of faded away over time, Eternum, per annum. About 80% of this num.” Eternum, as Mr. Bytebier the year Belgium award.” In addi- founded as far back as 1924, is revenue is achieved through the explains, is the company’s market tion, Gastronum offers additional still thriving today, keeping the company’s extensive export activi- entrance line, made from 18/0 accessories to the two cuttlery tradition alive. In the 1990s, Eter- ties. Eternum has made a name for Inox steel. In a higher-priced, collections, including handbells, num was acquired by a Norwegian itself in around 80 countries world- 18/10 variation, this collection butter dishes and coffee pots. investment group, which is still a wide and is particularly strong also covers the mid-price and Eternum’s entire portfolio contains shareholder. “Today, production in various European countries upscale ranges. The second around 50 different styles. All has been externalized,” explains including France, Germany, Italy, product line, Eternum Signature, products are also available with Mr. Bytebier, who himself has been Spain, the UK, Poland, and Rus- is yet another step up, comprising the customer’s stamp incorpo- with the company for 14 months. sia, as well as the Czech Republic, of exclusively designed signature rated in the design. “At our premises in Gembloux, we but also in various Middle Eastern Timeless cutlery with an ergonomic twist, Anzo is a design from Eternum’s Signature collection The unusual Pétale design is inspired by nature N A E P O R U E business www.european-business.com 12

Interview with Luca Nanetti, Chief Commercial Officer of CDS Srl The essential role of beverage closure It is only a minor component but it has a major significance in preserving product quality: a bottle cap. CDS Srl in Italy makes 12.5 billion of the small, yet highly essential devices every year – in all varieties, for all kinds of beverages, perfectly leakproof and custom-engineered to meet individual requirements. As a medium-sized enterprise, CDS is exceptionally flexible, fast and reliable in satisfying all customer needs – even during the high season. Equipped with factories in three European countries, the company wants to further advance its interna- tional market position. CDS is a major Italian manufac- turer of plastic products. The pri- vately owned company produces plastic closures suitable for the most varied types of beverage The closure is essential as it prevents the product from going bad. its share is even bigger at 60%. “Our Europe-wide market share in this segment is approximately 12%,” Mr. Nanetti says, describing the market position of the com- applications in addition to single- uninterrupted expansion. “We company produces over 12.5 bil- pany. CDS ships over half of its use rigid packaging items. CDS have four factories today: two in It- lion plastic caps for beverage bot- products abroad. The main mar- started manufacturing plastic aly and one each in the Czech Re- tles annually and runs as many as kets served are Central, Eastern components in the small village of public and Spain near Alicante,” 77 different manufacturing lines. and Southern Europe as well as Podenzano in 1977. The company states Mr. Nanetti. “We process more than 22,000 t of well as North America and a grow- relocated twice to increase produc- resin every year,” says Mr. Nanetti. ing number of African countries. tion capacity and meet increasing CDS has a total of 200 employees In Italy, CDS claims an overall mar- “Every market has its own specific customer demand and today is at its four production plants and ket share of 35% for beverage clo- requirements resulting from spe- based in Piacenza, the capital of turns over 72 million EUR. The sures while in Spain and Portugal, cific drinking habits,” states Mr. the province of Piacenza in north- ern Italy. In 2007, CDS acquired the Italian plant of the Viroplastic Group located in Calenzano near Florence. “The decision was be- tween growing in order to sustain competitiveness or staying small and risking being acquired our- selves by a competitor,” explains Chief Commercial Officer Luca Nanetti; who has over 20 years of experience in the packaging sector. Six years later, the Italian plastics producer also bought Viroplastic’s manufacturing plant in Frýdek-Místek in the Czech Re- public to support the company’s N A E P O R U E business Nanetti. “Italians drink incredibly high amounts of mineral water per capita per year, while Mexicans drink an equally high volume of carbonated soft drinks.” CDS manufactures bottle closures from three types of material – poly- ethylene, polypropylene and bio- degradable materials – and for dif- ferent beverages such as sparkling and non-sparkling mineral water, milk and juice. “Depending on the specific application, the caps have different technical features: sealing properties, pressure resistance, safe and environmentally friendly www.european-business.com 14 CDS operates four manufacturing plants: two in Italy and one each in the Czech Re- public and Spain

Interview with Edward Kuchta, CEO of BTG Sp. z o. o., owner of BUKOVINA Resort Brand Find balance and harmony at a premier Polish spa BUKOVINA Resort is a complex of many attractions and facilities in Bukowina Tatrzańska. Each guest of the resort can use all the available services: the BUKOVINA geothermal pools, which are the largest in Poland, the child-friendly BUKOVINA Hotel, the adult-focused Ho- tel HARNAŚ, and Wellness BUKOVINA, – a places of relaxation, tranquility and renewal. The unique complex for year-round relaxation for the whole family is a luxurious place to reclaim your inner balance, find peace, take care of your health and fitness, and restore your mood. European Business spoke with Edward Kuchta, CEO of Bukowianskie Towarzystwo Geoter- malne Sp z o o, the resort’s holding group, about the spa’s beginnings and how it plans to draw in guests from Poland and beyond. EB: Mr. Kuchta, regarding the BUKOVINA thermal springs were bought and thoroughly modernized of wellness coincides with the hotel’s development over the last created in the buffer zone of the the Hotel HARNAŚ, which opened areas of well-understood hospital- few years, what were the most im- national park in 2008 and immedi- in December 2016. This modern- ity. Creating a zone of comfort and portant milestones that made the ately became a magnet attracting ist-style facility from the 1970s tranquillity where you take care of hotel what it is today? people wanting to relax and enjoy has a very interesting architecture, the guest, and help him regenerate the beneficial properties of opti- and is dedicated to guests over 15 and relax is the core of wellness. Edward Kuchta: In 1991, a geother- mally mineralized thermal water years of age. mal hole was drilled in the eastern in 20 outdoor and indoor pools on Good cuisine with natural ingredi- ents, relaxation in thermal water, part of the Tatras. Thanks to the several levels, a sauna complex, EB: We know that your spa and access to specialists and spa fa- social initiative of the inhabitants of and a large parking lot, showing wellness hotel is successful and cilities, and top-quality cosmetics, nearby Bukowina Tatrzańska, this the scale of this investment, which has very good feedback and rat- combined with relaxing or healing well was managed. In 2001, the has turned out to be a success. ings on online booking portals. In massages and care rituals are our residents of Bukowina Tatrzańska It was a matter of course to rein- a nutshell: What are the most de- strength. The natural setting of the established a company under the vest income in the hotel infrastruc- cisive factors and strengths of the Tatras is an added bonus. name Bukowiańskie Towarzystwo ture, allowing tourists to stay for hotel? What important benefits of Geotermalne Sp. z o.o. As a legal longer, combining the use of the your medical treatments and well- EB: What are your USPs, and what entity, it aims to use the thermal Tatras’ natural surroundings with ness activities attract guests? distinguishes your offering from waters to develop local entrepre- bathing in the thermal spas. This is that of other wellness hotels in this neurship and strengthen tourism how the comfortable family Hotel Edward Kuchta: Our experience region? Are there any particular in the Podhale region in a way that Bukovina was created. It opened shows that the complexity of the highlights? will harmonize with the protection for guests in December 2010, to- offer and its quality determine of the natural environment and gether with the high-class wellness the positive experience of guests. Edward Kuchta: There are many its wealth, drawing from nature in center BUKOVINA. After leaving, they share a positive advantages of staying with us. The such a way as not to destroy it. Expanding the hotel offer and at opinion and give us their recom- the same time diversifying it, we mendation. Today, the philosophy N A E P O R U E business www.european-business.com 16

Interview with Matthias Müller, Managing Director of the BEHRENDT Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG Fulfilling the dream of a home in the city The dream of owning a home is, for city dwellers in many Western European countries, a seemingly elusive ambition. Increasing populations and a growth in the buy-to-let market mean that demand outstrips supply in terms of the number of residential properties available for purchase, particularly in the mid-range sector. Hamburg in northern Germany is no ex- ception. The BEHRENDT Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG has been building affordable private hous- ing, apartments for the rental market, and commercial property in the vibrant and cosmopol- itan city for 66 years, and understands the challenges faced by buyers and builders alike. “The real estate market is extreme- level? The financial markets have of the city.” Founded in 1952, sists of many new apartments, ly active in most major cities,” a strong influence because the the family-owned concern has a of which 140 were purchased by explains Managing Director Mat- high prices can only be financed well-established business strategy owner-occupiers. “It was a suc- thias Müller. “As a result of rising by low interest rates. I don’t believe when it comes to private sales. cessful project with many satisfied labour and production costs, prop- there will be any shocks: no sud- “We have a very stable project customers,” underlines Mr. Müller. erty prices have increased quite den increases in interest rates, for pipeline, from which we sell 170 Handover of Parkquartier in the dramatically. The question is, how example. I believe that Hamburg residential properties to owner- city center district of Barmbek, long can prices continue to rise will continue to grow, and there will occupiers every year – it’s all about which includes 70 privately owned when you reach the upper price be more projects on the periphery continuity,” adds Mr. Müller. apartments, will take place during Everyone trusts in property as an investment. I believe this will remain the case, although future developments will need to be assessed. 2018 and 2019. “We are in the There are numerous examples of end phase of the Barmbek pro- BEHRENDT’s residential projects ject,” notes the Managing Director. around the city. Neue Mitte Altona “The development is in the middle is a high-profile development split price segment. In Hamburg, this over two building areas; it con- spans 4,000 to 7,000 EUR per BEHRENDT’s projects have changed the landscape in the city of Hamburg Founded in 1952, BEHRENDT is a tradi- tional Hamburg family firm The company’s projects are concentrated in the city of Hamburg and its commuter belt, such as this residential development in the district of Harburg N A E P O R U E business www.european-business.com 18

Interview with Gerardo Scafuro, Sales Director of Conceria Leather World srl Italian leather goes green Italian leather is highly acclaimed all around the world. The most exclusive fashion houses appreciate its unique quality. It comes as no surprise though that in 2017, the Italian leather tanning industry was worth 20% of global manufacturing and 65% of the European one. Despite deep historical roots, many companies are open to new ideas and concepts. Among them is Conceria Leather World srl in Solofra, a tannery that strives to produce exclusive leather products in harmony with and respectful of the planet and its natural ecosystems. Sustainable consumption has such as Ralph Lauren, Wilson become a major concern these and Calvin Klein were among its days. Consumers are looking for loyal customers. “Back in the transparency in how their clothing mid-1990s, we were extremely is made. For this reason, more and successful in the United States,” more fashion labels and design- says Mr. Scafuro. “We had 160 ers are adopting environmentally employees, at peak times even friendly business approaches by 300, subsidiaries in Hong Kong using natural materials and less- and New York and a production polluting production methods. site in Guangzhou near Shanghai. Conceria Leather World perfectly For many years, we had the per- represents this new generation fect infrastructure to produce for of Italian leather tanneries. “The big contracts in the US and Japan. awareness of consumers has sig- With 9/11 everything changed. nificantly changed from the past Due to the terror attacks, we suf- and the leather industry does not fered significant sales losses and have the best image these days,” had to cut a significant part of our says Gerardo Scafuro. “Our aim is workforce. Luckily, at the end of to make a positive difference. We the day, we delivered the company produce high-quality leather goods out of the crisis and opened a new with a low negative impact on the exciting chapter. Thanks to envi- environment. At the same time, we ronmentally-friendly production take care of the health and safety processes we were able to win a of employees and clients.” new type of customer in Japan, the United States and other markets.” Conceria Leather World knows everything about the art of working with leather Many well-known fashion designers rely on Conceria Leather World’s passion for leather Carsten’s Suede & Leather was way without using any chemical starting up again in New York and founded in 1987 and continued Today, Conceria Leather World has substances. 90% of products are elsewhere, that give us confidence as Conceria Leather World. From 50 employees all over the world, exported. “We are still in contact in the future. Currently, we are the beginning, the company has two sites in Sant’Agata d’Irpina and with our traditional customers such prototyping exciting fashion and concentrated on the production of near Vicenza, and generates an- as Calvin Klein, DKNY and Ralph shoe collections for an important high-quality leather for clothing, nual sales of ten million EUR. The Lauren,” stresses Mr. Scafuro. German label. Our new ecological footwear and accessories. Im- most refined leather goods are pro- “Besides them, we have many concept of treating and processing portant American fashion brands duced in a completely ecological promising cooperation projects raw material is greatly appreciated N A E P O R U E business www.european-business.com 20

N A E P O R U E business www.european-business.com 22