Article in the Resto del Carlino newspaper – please consult the PRESS RELEASE “BMR grows in double figures”
BMR grows in double figures focusing on the Far East
Scandiano – BMR is a small business distributed between Scandiano and the province of Vicenza. Such a small business, yet it is gaining more and more market shares abroad each year; last year, in fact, its turnover rose by 20%, which is an exceptional situation considering the general trend. BMR works on the main worldwide marketplaces: Asia, Brazil, the United States and North Africa.
Paolo Sassi, who entered the company as an employee, but who is now the current chairman of BMR, explains such success in a rather simple tone.
Your turnover has grown by 20% over the last year, What’s your secret? “Lately, we have attempted to invest strongly in the Far East, which is a fully expanding market”.
Where? “Last year, we received an order from Malaysia that alone represented 10% of the overall turnover. There are however other difficulties in that area».
Which? “Chinese industries…”.
Will the cost of labour ever increase in China? «I hope so…However, the truth is that if an employee complains about his salary, he gets substituted, so the problem repeats itself».
So what can be done? «The only way to battle the Chinese is to wait for production prices to rise. What’s more, all the taxes on imports are of no use».
Why? «They may help when foreign companies attempt to export in Europe, but they are useless when we are the ones to export, and this entails a large share of the market».
What is the district’s future? «This will be a rather difficult year. Compared to 2009, when the crisis commenced, difficulties are even greater. All the companies have made investments and now the day of reckoning has come. It is becoming more and more difficult to produce tiles in Sassuolo».
Why? «In all countries, there are tile manufacturers that satisfy the requirements of the domestic markets. To this, the transport costs have to be added..».
But, isn’t Made-in-ltaIy still appealing? «Definitely, yes».
Let’s talk about BMR’s history, how did it begin? «The company was founded by three partners, who are no longer part of the corporate structure. I started to work for the company in the 90’s as an employee and am now the chairman».
Are you planning to outsource production abroad? «Our company is too small to think of outsourcing its production abroad and we currently do not feel this need. Never say never though, we could even start to talk about a new form of internationalisation in the near future».
How does the political context affect the economic activity? «Very much, I can give you an example…»
Please do… «Iran is currently under an economic embargo, but it could be a very interesting market for us. We had received enquiries prior to the embargo and we still receive them today. Requests that we cannot fulfil for political reasons».