Interview with the owner of a furniture manufacture ‘MEBLECH’
headquartered in Kraszewice
1. When did you set up the manufacture?
It was set up in 1974 . 2. Why did you decide to start your own company? I wanted to break with the family tradition of running a farm. I observed the work of craftmen who did well those days. At that time all private initiatives were on a tiny scale with the notable exception of agriculture. The private sector was limited to little shops, stalls at open markets or bakeries, occasionally small-scale manufacturing. Working for myself gave me a sense of independence. 3. How was it to run the company in the communist system? Hmm.., it wasn’t easy, really. I had my ups and downs and to overcome the problems I had to be very creative and flexible. 4. How has your company developed and changed over the years? I started with a small upholstery company hiring five workers and as the years went by we have developed into a furniture manufacturer employing more than 50 people and offering training for students from the vocational schools . We offer a wide choice of services and products. Nowadays the company has transformed since the early days. Our plant is fully equipped with everything from traditional upholstery tools to state-of-the-art production machines allowing us the flexibility to create a wide range of designs. Production is mainly focused on household and institutional furniture and kitchen cabinet manufacturing. It’s still a family- run enterprise and my sons are now in charge of designing the products. To meet the customers’ needs, they use modern computer software and the best quality wood. |
5. What changes do you notice as far as the employment is concerned?
Well, unluckily for some employees the number of workplaces is gradually decreasing since machines have been replacing humans. However, I’ve noticed that there are increasingly better skilled and educated young people on the job market looking for vacancies. 6. Do your employees know foreign languages? Several employees, especially those in charge of sales and marketing speak foreign languages. This is extremely useful because we cooperate with shops and companies from abroad. However, it is not an essential skill for all my workers. 7. Where do you sell your products?
We sell our products in our own stores and through the network of retailers who cooperate with us. We also sell our furniture abroad, mainly in Italy, France and Germany. 8. What do you think of the future of the company? We would like to increase our sales and invest in new machines. We have also diversified our activity and opened a sawmill and wood drying chamber. Generally, I’m optimistic about the future. 9. Have the investments in your company paid off? Yes, of course. Thanks to new machines we managed to improve the quality, reduce the prices, become more competitive and strengthen our position on the market. 10. How is it to be your own boss? This job requires a lot of commitment, responsibility and ability to take risk. You constantly think about new strategies and its development. I spend a lot of time at work. On the other hand, I hold the control and I am independent. 11. What do you do in your free time? I try not to think about the business but it’s really difficult to focus on something else. Therefore I tend to take my family somewhere out for the weekend. Thank you for the interview! Daria Idzikowska (Poland) |
An interview with Ryszard Fiłka - the owner of the wooden pallets manufacture ‘BOREX’ headquartered in Kraszewice, Poland.
1. Why did you start your own company?
I was unemployed and I couldn’t find anything interesting for me. I started the business 22 years ago and it was still a period of economic transformation in Poland and the emergence of capitalism. Having own business was the best I could do then. 2. Why did you decide to produce wooden pallets? My family owned a forest so I had my own source of wood. For this reason it didn’t require a lot of financial input. All I had to do was to focus on the papers, management and finding skilled workers. 3. What does the name of your company mean and who invented it? I started the business under a simple name ‘production of wooden pallets’. After six years of the activity my plant developed and it was time for a change. I analysed various names but we came to the agreement with my family that BOREX suits best. In Polish the word BÓR – is an old way of naming a forest and I associated EX with export. 4. How do you develop your company? Modern technology and equipment significantly influence its dynamic development. The company constantly improves its production and technological facilities. The automated manufacturing process allows for better control over delivery schedules and product quality. We invest in modern dryers and production lines for nailing pallets. What is more, the company develops its own transport fleet, due to this all goods are always delivered on time. Moreover, we try to be a reliable partner to maintain good relations with our clients. We expand the export to other countries in Western Europe. |
5. How many workers do you employ ?
At the moment there are 22 employees. 6.Do you have friends among businessmen? The truth is that it is not easy to have a real friend in the same line of business. There is a strong competition . However, I think that one should try not to have enemies. 7. If you were young again, would you choose the same job ? Definitely, yes. I wouldn’t have achieved so much if I hadn’t worked on my own. It was the right choice. 8. What is your key to success? I can’t give you a single recipe. From my experience I can just say that you need to fall in order to rise , then go ahead and avoid stumbling again on your way. If you are persistent enough you will succeed in any filed you want. Thank you for your time and the interview! Patrycja Fiłka (Poland) |
Local business in Lepe
How do you start your profesional career?
I was working at the sea, in a fishing company and I started the company here because I didn't want to be any more time far from my family.
Is it a family business?
Yes, my brother and I started it together.
Was the beginning in this world of Air Conditioning easy?
To be honest, it was "easy" but we had to work very hard.
Do you have people working with you? How many? What they do?
Yes, we have 3 workers, an engineer who designs the installations, a fitter and a saleswoman.
Dave you ever run any other company?
Yes, I had another company before, an electro domestic company.
Do you have more than one establishment?
No, just one.
Which has been the best period that you have ever had?
Some years ago.
During the year, when do you sell more?
In the summer.
What are your working hours?
From 8 am to 2 pm and from 3 pm to 8'30 pm.
Is it easy to be a boss?
Sometimes it is and sometimes it’s not, because laying off workers is too difficult.
Miriam Catañeda
IES La Arboleda, Lepe (Spain)
Interview with a businesswoman
Maria Jose, one of the many entrepreneurs who decide to start their own business.
Is it easy to assemble your own business? We are going to get to know a little more.
What type of company do you direct?
I direct a retail shop, a boutique. What was your motivation in creating this company? My motivation for developing this company was because I love fashion and in Lepe there aren’t a lot fashionable clothes shops. What were your objectives? Have you achieved them all? My objectives were difficult at first but now I can say and that I’m satisfied because I’ve achieved all my objectives. What types of financial help did you receive? The financial help that I received was a subsidy from the European Union and the financial help from my family but nowadays I rely on myself for financial help. What types of barriers or obstacles did you have to overcome? The obstacle that I overcame was the weather because when it’s spring and winter, buyers wait and purchase products in the sales. And of course nowadays the crisis affects us all. |
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What types of skills do we need to have to direct a business?
We need to be able to get into the minds of shoppers, almost like being a ‘’personal shopper’’ because we need to offer our ideas and expertise. Do we need any experience to set up our own business? You don’t need experience because with this type of job you learn something new every day. What type of studies do we need to become a businessman or a businesswoman? You need administration knowledge to run the company. Explain the main advantages and the main disadvantages of being a businessman/woman? The advantages are that you decide what do and what not to do, and the flexibilities of the timetables. The disadvantages are that you are always thinking about the company and you have a lot of concerns. Do you see yourself in another type of job which is not the same as this one? No, because I love fashion. Marta IES la Arboleda, Lepe (Spain) |