www.corp-vis.com
Corporate Vision l Eastern European Business Elite Awards 2016
WELCOME TO THE eastern european business elite AWARDS 2016 Eastern Europe is home to some of the most powerful and influential businesses and organisations on Earth. Comprised of some of the leading and most dominant countries, opportunities for success and wealth are endless. As such, our 2016 Eastern Europe Business Elite Awards highlight and reward those key firms and individuals who have built dynamic businesses based on key services and solutions and innovative products.
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THE WINNERS ARE... 4. AGILEPMO- Most Innovative Project Management Consultancy - Poland & Most Renowned Project Management Training Provider - Europe 6. BIKEPARKITECT, S.R.O- Best Bike Infrastructure Company 2016 - Europe 8. CZECHTOURISM- Best Tourism Marketing Agency 2016 - Czech Republic 9. ELDA LTD- Best E-Liquid Manufacturer 2016 - Europe 10. HAVAS GROUP PRAGUE, HERCULES- Best Full-Service Marketing Firm - Czech Republic 11. BACKBONE S.R.O- Best Telecommunications & IT Company - Europe & Recognised Leaders in Wireless & Optical Transmission Networks Europe 11. BSC PRAHA, SPOL. S R.O.- Best Financial Software Company 2016 - Eastern Europe 12. CBRE S.R.O- Best Property Management Company - Eastern Europe & Recognised Leader in Real Estate Sales & Acquisitions - Eastern Europe 12. CEBIA- Best Vehicle Verification Company 2016 - Europe 13. C-ENERGY BOHEMIA S.R.O- Best Energy Production Company 2016 - Eastern Europe 13. ENVIROPOL S.R.O- Best Electronics Recycling NPO - Czech Republic 14. FOX HUNTER S.R.O- Best Full-Service Marketing Agency - Czech Republic 14. HICRON SP. Z O.O.- Best in ERP System Designs - Poland 15. LANUS DOO- Best Fleet Management Solutions Company & Recognised Leaders in Telecom Services - Serbia 15. RETTIG ICC- Best Heat Emitter Manufacturer 2016 - Eastern Europe 16. RITCHY GROUP- Best for eCigarette Manufacture & Distribution - Eastern Europe 16. TURISTIKA.CZ, S.R.O- Best Content Management 2016 – Eastern Europe
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Most Innovative Project Management Consultancy - Poland & Most Renowned Project Management Training Provider - Europe Company: AgilePMO Name: Malgorzata Kusyk Email: kontakt@agilepmo.pl Web Address: www.agilepmo.pl
AgilePMO is an innovative project management office which specialising in helping organisations around the globe to meet success factors and become more adaptive to unpredictable markets. We caught up with CEO and Founder Malgorzata Kusyk to learn more about this innovative service offering. AgilePMO offers top quality, project management services to deliver greater business value and competitive advantage. The firm offers a team of project management experts experienced in managing geographically distributed and multi-disciplinary project teams and with the ability to work in multitasking and multicultural environments. As Malgorzata outlines, the company is known for unique practical solutions based on its experience from global projects across multiple industries, and this is helping clients to adapt to the ever evolving corporate market. “Currently, a number of global dynamics are forcing organizations to take a more critical look at their practices. Slow economic growth, shifting global market priorities and a push for innovation all make for a very complex and risky business environment and put additional emphasis on the need for excellence in project, program and portfolio management. The project management profession has evolved from a niche, technical-based discipline to a fully embedded approach to the way work gets done. “As a result, organizations continue to strive for agility in order to leverage ever-shifting market conditions. The desire for organizational agility will also lead to increased use of iterative/ incremental project management methods such as Agile. The role of Project Manager is changing as well and becoming more strategic. Nowadays all changes happen through projects and programmes and to manage projects is not enough, project practitioners need to lead the change and the technical domain skills will not suffice to effectively execute change. The ideal skill set as depicts by PMI Talent Triangle™, is a combination of technical project management skills, leadership capabilities and strategic and business management proficiency. Other trends are the importance of portfolio and program management (PPM), the need for virtual and multicultural team management and creative problem solving competences.
“As such, at AgilePMO we offer innovative project management training programs based on PMI Talent Triangle™, where we teach not only how to run complex projects in the most efficient way, but also help people to move through personal transition.” Being based in Poland also offers a number of competitive advantages for the firm, as many European companies are eager to tap the opportunities Poland and other Eastern European countries has to offer, spurring the economic growth and the development of all major urban areas. The competitive advantages of Poland are being a part of European Union, highly qualified local staff at lower costs and the foreign language proficiency. Ultimately, in times of complexity, agility and virtual and multicultural teams, Malgorzata believes that technology is just one piece of a bigger puzzle and is less important that the techniques virtual teams have developed to interact, such as communication and group norms, appropriate virtual team leadership styles and structures, regularly schedule meetings and occasional face-to-face meetings. Therefore, moving forward, she is keen to continue building upon AgilePMO’s current success in this area, focusing on building upon and expanding on its current service offering to ensure it continues to meet client’s needs. “Looking ahead, our aim is to become worldwide recognised Learning Mentor in project management field. This will be supported by the platform called the Project Management Learning Map to be launched soon. The Map will support individual development plans, to be able to search from different levels: knowledge/ expertise areas, roles or certification. This will change the project management training/ consulting market not only in Poland but also in the world.”
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TRANSPARENCY
COLLABORATION
PROJECT MANAGEMENT TRUST
CREATIVITY
ADAPTABILITY
CUSTOMER FRIENDSHIP
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Best Bike Infrastructure Company 2016 - Europe
Company: Bikeparkitect, s.r.o Email: info@modularpumptrack.com Website: www.modularpumptrack.com
Bikeparkitect, s.r.o Parkitect designs, manufactures and distributes innovative Modular Pumptracks to clients around the world. We spoke to Founder Erik Burgon to learn more about the firm and the unique products it provides. Drawing on his 15 years’ experience working in bike infrastructure around the world Erik has created a product unlike any other; the Modular Pumptrack. It allows riders to use their body weight, gravity and momentum to push themselves around the track rather than relying on peddling or pushing traditionally. The track can be enjoyed by many forms of wheeled transport including bikes of all sizes, scooters, skateboards and roller blades. Erik outlines what makes this dynamic design so different and why it is changing the face of the market for the better. “There is a vast demographic in this world that uses some form of wheeled sports equipment for transportation and or leisure. Our Modular Pumptrack focuses on the leisure side, where the majority of the riders in urban environments, have limited options within close proximity to their residence to enjoy their sport. Both cycle trails and skate parks are more geared towards specific user and age groups, and more often than not, are not suitable for beginners or children.” “The Modular Pumptrack is specifically designed to pack as much fun-per-squaremeter, for as many users as possible, in one structure. The fundamental design principal being to allow anyone, of any age, of any ability, riding any kind of wheeled sports equipment, to enjoy riding around the track, safely and comfortably. The Modular Pumptrack bridges the generation gap, allowing families to come together and enjoy their exercise all in one place and all at the same time.” So far Modular Pumptracks have been installed in 40 countries around the world, and they are beloved by everyone, from toddlers on balance bikes, to preteens on scooters, to pro riders of all disciplines alike. Erik discusses his clients and why the product is so universally popular. “Predominantly we work with public sector clients, including cities, towns and schools, as well as leisure facilities, holiday resorts and adventure parks seeking an innovative experience for guests. The track fits in just about anywhere and has an unobtrusive, modern design, which looks attractive in any environment.”
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After having lived and done business in many countries around the world, Erik believes that the Czech Republic is the ideal hub for Parkitect’s manufacturing facilities, largely thanks to the availability of a skilled workforce and its excellent manufacturing infrastructure. “Czech Republic is perfect for our firm as its history is rich with manufacturing, and as such there is a talented, reliable and innovative workforce readily available to support our operations, the local economy is geared toward exports, which is 95% of our business, and we have significantly lower overheads than most other places in Europe, enabling us to offer a far better cost to quality ratio of our products than we could if we were based elsewhere.” Looking ahead, Parkitect is set for even greater innovation as it looks to launch exciting new products, as Erik concludes. “We have been setting the trends in the industry for many years now, and we will continue to do so as we move forward. There are revolutionary products set for release in early 2017 and plenty more in the R&D pipeline.”
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EEB16015
Best Tourism Marketing Agency 2016 - Czech Republic
Company: CzechTourism – Czech Convention Bureau Name: Zdenek Giormani Email: Giormani@czechtourism.cz Web Address: www.czechtourism.com/ www.czechconvention.com Address: Vinohradska 46, Prague Telephone: +420 221 580 453
Czech Tourism Authority - CzechTourism is engaged in the development of tourism in the Czech Republic through a number of key activities that promote tourism domestically and abroad. We invited Zdeněk Giormani to tell us more. The Czech Convention Bureau is a non-profit organisation and is associated with the official national tourist board CzechTourism. The mission of the Czech Convention Bureau is to be the authoritative source for the meeting industry in the Czech Republic, providing all conference organisers with a variety of complimentary services and tools tailored to suit their client’s needs, as Zdenek emphasises. “At CzechTourism we strive to have an individual approach towards each client. Our objective is to have a ‘tailor made’ solution that suits the genuine current needs of each of our clients; as such our main goal is our clients’ satisfaction. In comparison with other, mainly Western European convention bureau, we are a very small bureau. Like the other convention bureaus, we are also strictly neutral and as we are selling a destination and not specific services, the clients can be sure they receive relevant information. Despite the fact that our services are free of charge they are high quality. The Czech Republic is also very attractive destination, boasting over 2000 castles, chateaux, palaces and historical buildings. Zdenek enthusiastically discusses the regions attributes in more detail. “One of the key benefits of visiting our region which I would like to mention is the great accessibility of the Czech Republic, which is situated in the heart of Europe. The country has excellent road and rail connections with cities throughout Europe. Also no matter where you are, you will never be far from an international airport. Prague International Airport, the second largest airport in Central Europe is connected with 111 destinations around the world. Easy access is also guaranteed by the country´s strategic location in the very heart of Europe.
fact that we offer high quality for competitive prices is important. Finally, the country is known that the destination is defined by its people, and here I must say that the Czechs are warm hearted people and are always happy to welcome visitors with open arms.” Many of the regions historical and cultural buildings can be used to host meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), and looking ahead Zdenek states that making more visitors aware of this will be CzechTourism’s ongoing focus. “Ultimately, the goal is to continue working on a unified and effective presentation of individual regions in the MICE field and to ‘sell’ the Czech Republic as one package both at home as well as the on the foreign market. “One of the services we offer is assistance in planning within the client’s given budget goals; therefore, we have incorporated the aspect of financial saving within the scope of our consultant service. As such we are fully aware of the necessity to steer clear of hidden expenses, and in this way we try to completely meet the needs of the organisers of the events and ensure they get the highest value for their money. In comparison with other destinations, the Czech Republic offers high quality for competitive prices, which is one of the region’s greatest advantages, and moving forward we will continue to emphasise this in order to showcase the true value of visiting and celebrating in our country.”
“Furthermore, alongside the geographical position of the Czech Republic, the overall safety of the county and its rich cultural life, make it truly exceptional and a great destination. Of course I must also mention the wide variety of possibilities regarding incentive programmes, which is what our slogan – ‘Your imagination is the only limit’ – refers to. The
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Best E-Liquid Manufacturer 2016 - Europe
Company: Elda Ltd Name: Dario Marenic Email: dario@elda.hr, elda@elda.hr Web Address: www.elda.hr, www.eliquid-shop.com Address: Zrinskih 62, 35400 Nova Gradiska, Croatia Telephone: 0038535361361
Elda Ltd. is the leading manufacturer of e-liquids for electronic cigarettes in Europe. Owner Dario Marenic outlines how the firm has moved into this ever growing market. ELDA Ltd. has been successfully operating for more than 30 years, moving into electronic cigarettes and manufacturing e-liquids since 2008. The company has been developing rapidly, keeping pace with the fast rise of e-cigarette industry, and has grown in a short amount of time from a small family company into one of the leaders on the world market. Dario talks us through how the firm has worked to expand into this growing industry and provide the very best products to its clients. “By participating in all relevant conferences and fairs, connecting all our knowledge, skills, information, and the possibilities of the latest technology, ELDA provide quality products and services which will ensure continued progress for our customers. support our clients around the clock; supporting the quick generation of new ideas and flavours. Our clients can benefit from our flexibility when it comes to using our knowledge and expertise to find answers to new challenges and immediately develop new solutions.” The firm’s mission is always the same the best and to offer only highest quality products and services. Dario explains how the firm works to achieve this through its quality products and dedication to creativity. “What makes us different from our competitors is the fact that nothing is left to a chance and all of the moves that we undertake in business are strictly planned. In this industry, it is highly important to be innovative. This is our main strength, which launched us at the top of the industry. Except that, we need to be highly sensitive and every second we need to listen our customers’ needs. Whatever they even imagine, we need to turn it into the reality.
researched.” Looking ahead, new TPD2 regulation which will affect the recipes of e-liquids, packaging and a form of launching the products on the market are a key development for the firm. During the last year, ELDA have been exploring how the regulation will affect the members on the market and how to comply all the requirements. Two months ago, the firm accredited a new laboratory with the modern technology made for complete e-cigarettes, e-liquids and cannabis analyses. This modern technology has provided the opportunity for the company to stay on the market after the TPD2 regulation and to get all necessary certificates which guarantee that its liquids and the liquids of its business partners are safe and have no harmful impact on the health of their users. In addition, Dario outlines the firm’s focus on creating innovative new flavours and exploring new products. “Currently we are very interested in CBD, a cannabinoid from the hemp plant which can be used in a variety of ways. One of these is vaping and it is the most effective means to ingest the product because it allows the CBD to absorb directly and more quickly into the body. We already have in our offer concentrated premium CBD e-liquid which offers a smooth, enjoyable experience, but also ensures real healthy noticeable results. The product is completely different from THC which may have psychoactive effects. We look forward to exploring this new product and the range of applications it has.”
“To achieve this our team of experts every day needs to do extensive tests. After the establishment of the new recipes, our chemical engineers need to make the samples that sometimes must ripe for 30 days. After ripening process these samples are carried out to the multiple tests and only the best of them will be chosen. Nothing goes to sale from the company until it is completely planned and
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EEB16016
Best Full-Service Marketing Firm - Czech Republic
Company: Havas Worldwide Prague Phone: +420 220 397 543 Address: Expo 58, Letenské Sady 1500, Prague 170 00, Czech Republic Website: www.havas.cz
Havas Worldwide Prague aims to be the best company at creating meaningful connections between people and brands using creativity, media and innovation. As the Leading communication agency in the Czech Republic, on the Agency of the Year podium for the last 12 years and most awarded agency in the history at the Effies, the firm provides marketing, advertising, digital, social media, public relations, event management, design and packaging solutions. Havas Worldwide Prague is on a mission to be the world’s best company at creating meaningful connections between people and brands using creativity, media and innovation. The firm excels at delivering Creative Business Ideas® that take its client’s business strategies to all new levels, to drive profitable growth. The firm works with multinational companies including T-Mobile, JDE, RB and Sanofi. It offers a costefficient operating model which helps businesses create disruptive changes that positively impact their budget planning and cost control. Through the firm’s expertise, tools and processes we establish systems that result in exceptional organizational performance and greater cost efficiencies for our clients. In the current marketplace, having a lower-cost position is a key differentiator against competitors. Through their regional Prague hub, the firm is able to reach the European market and leverage the strong culture of the region and the geographical connections it has to the rest of Europe. It’s a truly multicultural agency with 33 nationalities speaking 25 languages and working in over 50 countries with clients’ headquartered in Amsterdam, London, Paris and Frankfurt. Ultimately, the firm leverages its experience, dedication and global reach to ensure that it provides clients with the very best solutions which reach their clients and represent their brand. This will be the firm’s ongoing focus as it seeks to build upon its current success.
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Company: BSC PRAHA spol. s r.o. Name: Petr Koutny Email: petr.koutny@bsc-ideas.com Web Address: www.bsc-ideas.com Address: Na Hrebenech II 1718/10, 140 00 Prague 4, Czech Republic Telephone: +420 602 451 611
Best Financial Software Company 2016 - Eastern Europe
BSC is among the leaders in the development and delivery of SW solutions for financial institutions. We invited CEO Petr Koutny to talk us through the firm and how it has achieved its current success. Established in 1990, BSC has since achieved success with its solutions on both domestic and international markets. Petr outlines the firm’s service offering and how this helps it to support clients from around the world. “In the area of digital front office systems we have been celebrating the success in Europe and Asia with the omni-channel bank solution my|GEMINI, in the area of BI for regulatory reporting we have built up a dominant position on the domestic market with solutions of the product line my|BI. With regards to BackOffice systems we have been a long-term and reliable partner of banks with the my|BOS product line. Mainly, all of which are products and interfaces for the core banking systems (with special attention given to Misys`s MIDAS CBS), connection to payment systems and systems for the management of payment cards.” BSC serves its clients from six locations, with two offices in the Czech Republic, two in Slovakia and two in Russia. “Being based in the Central Europe means that we can benefit from the exposure to the most advanced banking
businesses in the region, combined with a wealth of skilled technical staff”, Petr comments proudly. Ultimately, Petr believes that innovation is key to the firm’s success, and as such it will continue to focus on adapting around market changes in order to provide a service offering which meets the needs of its clients. “Here at BSC we understand that great products are not enough to be successful in projects and overall and continuous business transformation of contemporary banks. As such we combine our products with a unique delivery approach and also decided to open our IP to our customers. Using the development licenses of our products they can get the value quickly out-of-the-box but stay in control of their future and not to be vendor locked and linked solely to the product roadmap of our company. We believe that innovation comes from unexpected places and we want to allow our customers to be ready for it, and supporting them in this will be our ongoing focus moving forward.”
EEB16009 Company: BACKBONE s.r.o. Name: Jan Piťha Email: info@backbone.cz Web Address: www.backbone.eu Address: Hálkova 11, Prague 2, 120 00, Czech Republic Telephone: +420 257 311 378
Best Telecommunications & IT Company – Europe & Recognised Leaders in Wireless & Optical Transmission Networks - Europe
Backbone s.r.o. provides telcoms and IT services, focusing on rolling out and modernizing 2G/3G/LTE technologies including wireless and optical transmission networks and distributed antenna systems. We caught up with Managing Director Jan Piťha to find out more. Backbone, which has been operating in the Czech Republic since 2001, is a service company supporting mobile operators around the world. The firm, which is on a mission to simply provide the very best work possible, is dedicated to supporting clients throughout the project, as Jan explains. “Here at Backbone we really want to see a successful outcome to every project. Our clients rely on us because they know that we are professional and that our work will be done on time and to the highest standards of quality possible. Our clients we feel more like partners than customers because we communicate with them regularly and make sure that they feel supported throughout the process.”
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Looking to the future, Jan sets out the firm’s aims and objectives and how it intends to achieve these. “Ultimately we would like to be among the European top 10 companies for telecommunication services. Step by step we expand into new regions, countries and technologies, ever expanding our portfolio. Every year we are moving forward and finding new opportunities. “As such we have a number of new project starting shortly. We just begun a huge new project in Germany for Huawei - Deutche Telekom, helping them to modernise their network. Overall our focus will be on expansion and we look forward to the opportunities that this will afford us.”
EEB16013
Company: CBRE s.r.o. Name: Pavel Klimeš Web Address: www.cbre.cz Address: Palladium | nám. Republiky 1a | Prague 1 | 110 00 | Czech Republic Telephone: +420 224 814 060
Best Property Management Company - Eastern Europe & Recognised Leader in Real Estate Sales & Acquisitions - Eastern Europe CBRE Group, a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm. Senior Director for Property and Asset Management Pavel Klimeš outlines the services the firm’s Czech Republic branch offers. CBRE offers strategic advice and execution for real estate sale and lease, corporate services, facility and project management, real estate appraisal, development services, investment management and research and consulting. In the Czech Republic, CBRE has approx. 350 employees and manages almost 150 commercial premises with an area totalling 1.1 mil. sq. m. Pavel discusses the firm’s mission and how his office aims to support the group in achieving this. “Our mission is to be the preeminent, vertically integrated global real estate services firm serving our clients with market-leading collaboration. As part of this, we believe that the way we make a deal is as important as what we do. We work hard and we are aware of the fact that it is necessary to search for ways to improve the service we provide to our clients.” Pavel’s office is based in the Czech Republic, which is in stable economic condition and situated in the centre of Europe, offering the perfect base for a global company such as CBRE. There is trust in the Czech economy having potential for long time investment.
Company: Cebia, spol.s r.o. Name: Martin Pajer, CEO Email: cebia@cebia.cz Web Address: www.cebia.cz , www.autotracer.cz Address: Türkova 1001, 149 00 Praha 4, Czech Republic Telephone: +420 267 91 3737
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“In my opinion, the only way to ensure the continued success of both the real estate market and the retail industry in the Czech Republic is to keep shopping centres competitive by constantly developing them and renovating any centres which are not profitable.” Ultimately, Pavel believes that this prestigious accolade will help the firm to achieve its overall goals and highlight to clients the firm’s dedication and commitment to excellence. “It is truly exciting to win this award. This shows all our effort is transformed to our client’s trust in the services we provide. There is a huge amount of team work and focus on providing the best service to our clients and value added to their properties. “Fundamentally, winning this award is very important for our future, guaranteeing quality to our clients. At the same time, it gives us motivation to maximize our performance and opportunities for cooperation, allowing us to seek out new possibilities for growth and expansion.”
Best Vehicle Verification Company 2016 - Europe Cebia is the market leader in screening origin and history of vehicles in the Czech Republic and Slovakia with over 25 years’ experience in this dynamic and ever evolving markets. We invited CEO Martin Pajer to tell us more about the company and its service offering. Cebia company has been helping motorists for a quarter of a century with the safe purchase of used vehicles, providing its dedicated services to more than 1,000,000 customers every year. Martin outlines the firm’s innovative systems and how these support clients. “Cebia has created unique and most complex system, AUTOTRACER, which is helping people with the safe purchase of their used cars. Through the cooperation with partners including car importers, car dealers, insurance and leasing companies and online vehicle marketplaces we are still working to improve our systems and spreading the package of our services. We are intensively using marketing communication means to increase the publicity of our services and to educate the motoring public about the risks of buying a used car and how to prevent the risks.” The firm have always been pioneers, creating innovative solutions which meet clients’ needs. Since 1991 Cebia has specialised in the introduction and operation of technology geared toward fighting automobile crime. The company was the first in the Czech Republic to introduce a system of security marking of glass with a code developed in tight cooperation with the Czech
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Police. By 2008 over 300,000 motorists had used the glass marking system. A major breakthrough in the active protection of the market of used vehicles came with the VINTEST system and its ICARIS Internet information platform (information system for providing data on vehicle identifiers). On the basis of its foreign experience, in 2000 Cebia initiated the systematic verification of the originality of vehicle identifiers in the Czech Republic. As such the firm aims to continue this track record and remain at the forefront of industry innovation, as Martin concludes. “Looking ahead, we plan to spread of activities and therefore now we are creating a new project for the motoring public: a mobile application providing the motorists with overview of the car expenditures, alerts on upcoming car events, car repair shops search, car bazaar advertising, forum with experiences exchange and even social media. All of this will be provided free of charge to allow clients to make the most of this innovative technology. We look forward to the new opportunities this new project and others will bring moving forward.”
EEB16008 Company: C-Energy Bohemia s.r.o Address: Prumyslová 748, 391 02 Planá nad Lužnicí, Czech Republic Phone: +420 380 071 800 Fax: +420 380 071 802 Email: info@c-energy.cz Website: www.c-energy.cz/
Best Energy Production Company 2016 - Eastern Europe C-Energy Bohemia is an owner and operator of district heating plant in Tabor agglomeration, the south region of the Czech Republic. General Manager Libor Dolezal tells us more. C-Energy Bohemia has completely reconstructed an old coal fired power plant into a modern duo fuel facility, with maximum flexibility and ability to supply ancillary services to the national grid operator and regional distribution company while delivering heat to industrial customers and households at low and sustainable prices and significantly reducing all emissions, in accordance with the relevant EU legislation. Libor, who is proud of the firm’s achievement, is eager to emphasise the fact that it will not rest on its laurels as it focuses on making the plant eco-friendlier in order to ensure the firm’s continued success. “Here at C-Energy Bohemia we are proud of our recent achievements. However, we have not finished yet. We believe in constant innovation and strive for maximization of the production efficiency and flexibility. In the environment of increased regulation and humungous state subsidies to green energy, which suppressed the energy prices to all times low, it is the only way to take. “Green energy is a key challenge for our firm, as the regulation of green energy is a problem, and as such the main portion of the current and
Company: Enviropol s.r.o Address: Ceskoslovenského exilu 2062/8, 143 00 Praha 4 Phone: (+420) 234 235 286 Fax: (+420) 234 235 222 E-mail: info@enviropol.cz Web: www.enviropol.cz
future investments will go to distribution grids. We believe that very efficient and flexible, mid-sized power plants are very complementary to the green energy facilities because they help to balance the whole system out. Eastern Europe pretty much follows all the trends.” Moving forward, the firm has a number of exciting plans for growth as it seeks to continue adapting its service offering to stay at the forefront of industry innovation. “Currently we are expanding our local energy distribution network and working on installation of a battery storage facility, which shall not only improve the functionality of the distribution network but also increase production flexibility in supplying auxiliary services to the national grid operator. “Longer term we are in discussion regarding the acquisition of several photovoltaic power plants located under the same regional distribution company, which would introduce the possibility to create a virtual power plant combining flexibility on one side and low variable costs on the other.”
Best Electronics Recycling NPO - Czech Republic
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Enviropol specialises in processing electric and electronic waste as well as the manual dismantling of CRT TV and the industrial processing of small domestic appliances. We caught up with Manging Director Robert Klobučník to find out more. Established in 2009, Enviropol has since gained a reputation for excellence in the field of electric and electronic waste. Robert discusses the firm’s processing plants and how these help it to achieve the high standards of service on which it prides itself. “Here in the Czech Republic we have one of the most modern processing lines in the CEE region. This line is capable of processing electrical waste at a material recoverability rate of up to 95 %. This year we have also passed a rigorous quality certification process, known as WEEELABEX certification. “As a company we have always set our sights high, not only in terms of processing volume, but mainly as regards quality. We keep up with the very latest processing technology around the world and gradually implement it into our process. In addition,
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we place great emphasis on a clean working environment. We therefore strive to be responsible and sustainable. Our pro-client approach enables us to provide our customers with a wide range of services.” Moving forward, it is Enviropol’s ongoing mission to become a leading firm in Central and Eastern Europe for take-back and recycling of end-of-life products. In order to achieve this the firm will continue to operate to the very highest standards, as Robert emphasises. “Looking ahead our focus will remain on creating unique ways of processing electrical waste, as well as remaining ahead of the technological developments in our sector so that we can remain at the forefront of innovation.”
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EEB0001 Company: Hicron Sp. Z o. o. Name: Slawomir Dabek, COO Web Address: www.hicron.com Address: HICRON Sp. z o.o. ul. Gwiazdzista 62, 53-413 Wroclaw Telephone: +48 71 77 60 300 +48 71 77 60 333
Best Energy Production Company 2016 - Eastern Europe Hicron specializes in advanced IT solutions, including ERP systems to assist management and SAP solutions. COO Sławomir Dąbek talks us through the firm’s innovative service offering and how it is constantly being adapted in order to meet the ever changing needs of the firm’s clients. Since 2006, Hicron has been strengthening its position on the international market of integrated IT solutions, providing services to customers in Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Austria. The ever-broadening range of foreign clients from such industries as automotive, arms and industrial manufacturing is proof that many companies consider Hicron to be a reliable and innovative business partner. The high level of competences and qualifications of Hicron’s experts have also been appreciated by SAP AG, headquartered in Walldorf, Germany, with whom Hicron has been cooperating for many years in implementing the largest industry projects. It is the firm’s dedicated staff which is the true secret behind its success, as Slawomir explains. “Here at Hicron, our most valuable asset is the team of more than 200 highly qualified consultants and developers, experienced in implementing domestic and international IT projects. Our team is composed of the best experts - creative professionals characterized by their excellent knowledge of business software. Thanks to above average Europe unique expertise including niche spheres of SAP (e.g. SAP Automotive, RE-FX, , SAP PLM, ,) as well as advanced technological
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tools, Hicron’s experts are capable of undertaking even the most difficult and demanding projects. Testimonials from prestigious clients including PSA Peugeot Citroën, Play, Volvo CE, Netia, Nestlé and AmRest are the best evidence of customer satisfaction.” Fundamentally, optimization of process costs is one of the pivotal aspects in the industrial sector. A seemingly small saving as the result of automating one process will ensure tangible savings across the whole enterprise produces tangible savings. At the same time, that IT solutions are increasingly being regarded as a necessary investment, and as such Hicron’s future goal is increasing the competitive advantage of the company in order to ensure that it is able to reap the benefits of this development, as Slawomir emphasises in his final comments. “Hicron’s strategy moving forward will focus both on sales, markets and the portfolio of products and services we offer. A better systematisation will allow the company to reinforce its sales even further and to ensure an even fuller synergy between Customer expectations and the opportunities to meet them.”
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Company: Lanus Name: Miroslav Petrovic, CEO Email: office@lanus.rs Web Address: www.lanus.rs Address: Kneginje Zorke 2, 11000 Beograd, Serbia Telephone: +381 11 381 2000
Best Fleet Management Solutions Company & Recognised Leaders in Telecom Services - Serbia Lanus provides custom development services from our offices in Belgrade, Serbia, with an extensive portfolio of solutions to solve the business problems of various multinational clients. We invited CEO Miroslav Petrovic to talk us through these solutions, in particular its award winning fleet management services. Having worked in fleet management since 1999 Lanus offered pioneering solutions for the whole of Eastern Europe, and has since moved further afield, into both new regions and markets. Miroslav discusses the firm’s full suite of solutions and how it aims to provide the very best quality of service to each of its clients.
“Our geographical location presents an excellent position for cooperation with clients wherever they are. CET time zone makes it perfect to align our operations with customers from Europe and America particularly, but also from all other continents, such as Africa, Asia and Australia, where some of our clients are located.
“At Lanus we have three key areas of operation, fleet management services, which are our oldest service offering which we started over 17 years ago. We also provide innovative but yet complex telecom and transport products, and this extensive range of services has been implemented in around 15 countries on two continents so far.
“Being located in the same time zone and only a short flight away from most of the clients, but in the comparable price range as the current biggest outsourcing destinations presents, in our opinion, important competitive advantage to Eastern Europe.”
“In addition, Lanus provides custom development services from our offices in Belgrade, Serbia, with an extensive portfolio of solutions to solve the business problems of various multinational clients.” Being based in Belgrade, Serbia, allows Lanus access to excellent transport connections thanks to direct flights to most of the European major cities, USA and Middle East. Miroslav outlines the firm’s location and why it helps the firm with its international collaborations.
EEB16018 Company: Rettig Heating Sp. z o.o. (part of Rettig ICC BV) Name: Tomasz TARABURA Web Address: www.rettigicc.com Address: Przemyslowa, 44-203 Rybnik, POLAND Telephone: +48 32 42 22 807
Looking ahead, the firm is eager to build upon its current success whilst at the same time providing the same high standards of service and innovative products which it has become renowned for, as Miroslav concludes. “Moving forward we will try to increase our regional and global presence, and we expect that this award might help us in achieving these plans as we seek to showcase our dedication to providing the very best products and services to our clients.”
Best Heat Emitter Manufacturer 2016 - Eastern Europe Rettig ICC is the biggest manufacturer of heat emitters in the world. Group Managing Director Tomasz Tarabura discusses the firm and how it has come to achieve this market leading position. Rettig ICC produce panel radiators, decorative radiators, towel warmers, convectors, electric radiators, underfloor heating systems and pipe connection systems. The products are sold to professional distributors which later sell them to installers or bigger installation companies, who use them for new builds or renovations. Tomasz explains the firm’s mission and the steps it takes to achieve this, which revolve around providing the highest possible quality products to clients. “At Rettig ICC our mission is to be the leading heat emitter manufacturer in our core markets. To achieve this, we invest significant amounts of money into our production lines. We continuously develop new products which respond to the latest market trends. We expand our product range to allow our customers to integrate easily our components into one consolidated heating system. If needed, our company acquires businesses which are able to generate possible synergies. “Fundamentally, it is our customer focus that truly sets us apart from our competitors. We do absolutely everything to deliver our products on time, with the best possible quality, which marks
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us out as the best possible option for our clients. Moreover, what is absolutely important for us in every market where we do business is the fact that we assure professional technical support provided by our friendly sales teams.” Ultimately, the success of Rettig ICC is built based on five core values: fairness, openness, modesty, trust and respect. The company knows how to convert these values into normal daily business practice, and it is this that has helped the firm to stay in business for over 200 years. Moving forward, Tomasz is excited for the developments his firm foresee in the industry and the opportunities this will provide. “Looking to the future, we believe that heating systems will become more and more integrated, meaning that intelligent controls will play a very important role. Therefore, we develop systems of connected, intelligent controls which will integrate our excellent product range into a common solution. On top of all that, we will develop new design products reflecting current market trends and aesthetic expectations.”
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Company: Ritchy Group Address: Karla Engliše 519/11,150 00 Praha 5, Czech Republic Phone: +420 225 067 840 Website: www.ritchy.com
Best for eCigarette Manufacture & Distribution - Eastern Europe Ritchy Group is a premium Electronic Cigarettes and E-Liquids Manufacturer. We invited Brand Manager Lukas Svoboda to talk us through the firm and the solutions it offers. Established in 2009, Ritchy Group designs, develops, and distributes e-liquids and e-cigarettes under two brands, its flagship LIQUA brand and ARAMAX, supplying these brands to over 85 countries around the world. Lukas outlines the firm’s passion for providing the safest, most reliable products to clients to support them as they seek to end their smoking habit for good. “Here at Ritchy Group we feel strongly that vaping represents a smart alternative to smoking and is the most powerful tool yet developed in the fight against smoking. Vaping removes many of the harmful chemicals present in normal cigarettes. Vaping does not deny the enjoyable aspects of smoking. Rather it replaces and enhances them with wide varieties of flavors and options for use. A smoker does not need to feel they are ‘giving up’ something when they switch to vaping. Rather, they are moving from a harmful habit to an enjoyable, better alternative and we are proud to be at the vanguard of this movement. “Fundamentally we believe that the primary key to our success is our commitment to
Company: Turistika.cz, s.r.o. Name: Jiri Pilnacek Email: jirka@turistika.cz Web Address: www.turistika.cz Address: Narodni 28, 110 00 Praha 1 Telephone: +420 737 213 520
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quality and safety. The e-cigarette industry is relatively new and there is very little in the way of regulation or standardization of processes. We feel that by sticking to the highest possible standards of production and raw materials, we are making a difference that our customers recognize and appreciate. We see the results of this approach every day through our rapidly growing market share across the 85 markets where we are present.” Ultimately, Ritchy is a global company with global brands, and moving forward Lukas makes it clear that growth is the firm’s core aim. “Overall we feel we are well positioned for growth, and our brands have the potential for worldwide recognition within our category. We want to create brands that are household names –icons of the vaping world, and we are taking the steps to ensure that this is what our future holds. Clever use of marketing, PR, and an active commitment to research and new product development will keep the company strong and healthy in the markets where we are present and any future markets we enter.”
Best Content Management 2016 – Eastern Europe
Turistika.cz, s.r.o. is a tourism website specialising in providing dedicated advice and support for those travelling around the world. We invited Jiri Pilnacek to tell us more. Established in 2008, Turistika is now the largest website specialized and dedicated to tourism in the Czech Republic, with over 700,000 unique visitors a month and 50,000 registered tourists share or look for inspiration for trips in the Czech Republic or abroad. Jiri outlines the firm’s vision and how it works to achieve this. “Here at Turistika we create a unique source of information, a databank of experience and practical advice for the occasional and the enthusiastic tourists, travellers and hikers from other tourists and travellers, for even more enjoyment from a journey or a trip, saving money or sparing unpleasant situations and ensuring a safe return home.” What sets Turistika apart, according to Jiri, is its dedication to providing the very best platform for its users. “Unlike our competitors, we are constantly
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improving our technology, and to achieve this we communicate with our users and contributors and take on board their ideas and suggestions. We are loyal community of readers and as such they like to buy through us.” Czech Republic is a country of tourists, with hundreds of thousands of people taking trips on weekends and holidays, but the desire to travel is not limited to this region, and as such Jiri is keen to outline the firm’s exciting plans for growth and expansion as it seeks to support a wide range of clients. “Looking ahead, the first plan is to expand the platform Turistika.cz to surrounding countries in Europe. In addition, we are also travel website Livetouring.com, with unique technology video routes. We plan expand from Europe on other continents.”
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