At turn of march and april you will open “Flexor’s” branch office in Sweden. Why have you decided to commence business in this country?
First of all, because of Poland’s European Union accesion, new opportunities for polish companies appeared. Opportunity to run a business on more profitable markets of “old” EU members countries. In spite of faint knowledge about Swedish construction market, we decided to take our chance. Looking back, I can say, that it was a great challenge for our company. It was begining of year 2005. After very short and rapid negotiations we won contract for building luxurious villa, near lake Vänern. Having just small group of verified workers, one car and hardly sufficient financial means we have gone to avenge “Potop” – Swedish XVIIth centrury invasion on Poland…(laugh)
But you have not finished your business in Sweden with one contract?
Obviously not. It turned out very quickly that Swedish clients appreciated precision and relatively lower payment demands of polish workers. Even during of completion of first projects, we got new contracts. News about polish construction company widespread among Karlstad citizens. That’s why till today we completed nearly 40 projects in Karlstad and neighbouring towns. We have completed also some single projects in Linkoping, Grums, Kristienehamn and Kungsbacka near Göteborg. Thanks to still growing group of clients, who recommend our work to others, we are winning next contracts, which enlarge scale of our business in Karlstad, where we have quite recognisable brand.
Does it mean, that you focus on business in Karlstad?
Not at all. Despite the fact, that Flexor’s branch office is located in Karlstad, we do not limitate our business territorially. Projects, which I talked about before proof it. We know, if we want to use our good brand and dynamize company’s development, we have to start doing business in other construction market segments. To do that, we formed a cooperation with Reynäs Villan – swedish, local, construction company. Moreover, we are simultaneously carrying on negotiations with potential partners in field of construction materials trade, windows production and real estate. This summer, we are going also to publish cataloque with typical construction plans by our company’s architect.
How Swedish react to Polish construction company, which win contracts, which can be successfuly completed by local companies?
Definitely well. Within Flexor’s two years activity on Swedish market we met many friendly and helpful people, who appreciate good job over all. We had opportunity to cooperate with many Swedish workers at some projects. What, I think, was profitable for both nations. Polish bring spirit of hard work and individual enterpreneurship. Swedish are suprisingly well organised, effective and innovative. Besides, abroad projects, lasting a couple of months are great occasion to verify workers’ qualifications and attitude.
And how do you work – out problem of lack of qualified, and nowadays unqualified workers, as well, which affects a lot of polish construction companies?
I can not say, that we do not have the same problems. But, it’s easier to find candidates to work in Sweden, than in Poland. On the other hand, Polish work emigration has character of “herd instinct”. That’s why we have to apply modern recrutation methods to engage best candidates. And I can say, that we suceeded, because employment fluctuation in our company is very low. However, if we want to keep our best employees, we have to take care of them. That’s why, within one year we are going to open Flexor’s “university” partially financed from European Social Fund. For employees and candidates. Its aim will be to teach construction skills, english and swedish, and bussines skills.