The war – although not the war directly, but the circumstances it created – put the company “Alliance PAK” from Zhydachev, in the Lviv Region, in front of a tough and clear dilemma: either it hastily changes what was in place before the war, or very soon will have to struggle – up to the shutdown of the enterprise.<\/p>\n
“What was convenient before the war,” as company owner Vitaly Kuzma said, primarily concerns products. Before the war, the company produced blanks for furniture from natural wood: chair frames, armrests, headboards for beds, furniture supports, etc. in the so-called “rough” version. In general, there were enough customers for such products in Ukraine, and there were also European clients. Such an assortment did not allow for rapid development due to low added value.<\/p>\n
With the beginning of the war, the Ukrainian furniture industry froze, and some foreign customers also felt a “chill”: should we continue to deal with the supplier of a country engulfed in war, which Russia literally “took by the throat” by pushing its army under the walls of the capital?<\/p>\n
“To work – we will change!” – the decision of the business owner and the team, which was not lost and was ready to be useful on the economic front, was unambiguous. At this stage, all employees clearly understood that it is not possible to work in the old fashioned way. It was no secret what exactly needed to be done. A company with a well-established production of furniture components was one step away from independent production of ready-made furniture, so it is logical that it took this step. In fact, this goal dominated the company’s pre-war development plans, and the war made this need urgent. Especially since before the start of the war something in this direction had already been developed.<\/p>\n
But oh, this change was not easy! Mr. Vitaly agreed to tell in detail what was behind it “not just”.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
– First, I asked the workers to decide: who is ready to stand up for the defense of the country, taking up arms, and who returns to his workplace, so that production does not stop, and there is an opportunity to pay taxes and help the army. Because the labor front is no less important for the country than the combat front, on the line of fire.<\/em><\/p>\n
They could not start moving towards the planned goal without sufficient funds. Also, with the beginning of the war, banks took away almost all financial instruments, depriving entrepreneurs of all possible prepared “financial cushions”. They imposed a strict taboo on any lending. These circumstances slowed us down in purchasing the necessary equipment for the production of finished products.<\/em><\/p>\n
But such obstacles not only did not force us to give up, but made them even more assertive: one door did not open – we knocked on others even more persistently. And they got their way! Certain relaxations regarding state regulation of imports have begun to appear. Because, even with funds, it was not possible to import equipment due to the ban. There was also an understanding that the restoration of funding would begin in state banks as soon as possible. It was with them that they began to cooperate and did not lose. The first step was to get a loan for the purchase of a vacuum dryer. Later, it was possible to get a loan for multi-axis machining centers. Because they were so persistent, they simultaneously received grant funding for the purchase of equipment. Of course, they chose grant aid, committing to create an additional 15 jobs and repay the borrowed funds with taxes over several years.<\/em><\/p>\n
– And what, the company is already making the first furniture?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
– Yes, these are tables and chairs mainly for foreign customers (while they were looking for funds and selecting equipment, the managers were actively looking for foreign customers for future products). Today, we in the company are busy forming our own brand in order to develop faster and create our own product sales channels by producing products with greater added value.<\/em><\/p>\n
We concluded agreements with several well-known Ukrainian designers who are developing new furniture collections for us, which we will be able to sell under our own brand. We also have the advantage that the company is certified according to the international FSC system and builds its strategy by undergoing an annual FSC certification audit.<\/em><\/p>\n
– Again, did the current circumstances make it very difficult to find new foreign clients?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
– It’s not like in the first months of the invasion: they realized that the front is unlikely to reach the western regions. Most of them succumbed to the persuasion of our managers that by placing their orders with Ukrainian companies, they thereby strengthen our resistance to the enemy. And at the same time, they were surprised at our optimism and ability to develop in such conditions.<\/em><\/p>\n
– And you don’t sell those “rough” furniture blanks anymore?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
– For now, we are also implementing them in parallel, since we only process a part of it into furniture ourselves. But the goal is to process all raw materials into furniture, so that the company becomes one of the leaders not only of the Ukrainian, but also of the world markets.<\/em><\/p>\n
With our team, we will achieve this!<\/em><\/p>\n
Glory to Ukraine!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t