Belarusian Dream. How a builder became the head of a construction holding
30 June 2015, 14:05
15 years ago Andrey Korotenko was a builder. He did finishing works in apartments and houses in Minsk. Today he is the owner and CEO of the international construction holding “Aks” that includes three enterprises – “AksInterier” that produces and installs stretch ceilings, “Akshouse” that produces houses of module and wireframe construction, and “Akstent” that installs tent constructions.
Holding has such customer as the President’s Administration, “Gazprom”, “Triple”, “Belaz” and many others. However, everything started with an accidental call about a newspaper ad…
It takes five years to oust all the competitors
Andrey started his way in the construction business in 2000. After the military service he worked on the construction site, puttying and painting walls.
In late autumn there were getting less and less work in construction. And then there was no at all.
After this, Andrey came across a newspaper ad about the vacancy of engineer-consultant in the ceilings producing company. There I worked for several years. Started as a measurer and then became a deputy director.
After three years Andrey went to Moscow for an internship on production of stretch ceilings. Then he came back to Minsk to set up production in the company he worked for. The enterprise needed dealers.
In 2007, when stretch ceiling was no longer rareness for Belarus, “Aksinterier” hit the market. Andrey didn’t fear competition or market saturation. He says, he started a company not only to sell, but also to make his own contribution into the construction market, discover new features of stretch constructions and tell people how they can make a good house repair with little money.
Andrey invested a thousand dollars he had made in construction into first equipment, heat guns, and stepladders. The five persons had one goal – to develop the business they like and do well. After a year there were 15 of them. And in 2008 the own production was started.
Favorable offers to customers spurred the company’s quick growth and “AksInterier” opened its offices in all regional centers, as well as Bobruisk and Novopolotsk. After five years since the start, the company became the market leader. The next step was conquering Europe.
In Lithuania the company has its own production and dealership network. Dealers of “AksInterier” work in Ireland, Canada, Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic. Requests come from Qatar and the USA. The company is developing very quickly and successfully, so even in 2015 the growth will continue in spite of the crisis.
Crisis and profits coexist
The company is taking a stand in 2015 with a plan to grow 3 times. “We see that the plan is achievable and realistic”, - Andrey says. For example, today “AksInterier” is preparing production for global expansion and launch of new components manufacture in new facilities in Gatovo, Minsk distict: “New areas of 1500 sq.m will allow to increase production and make stretch ceiling more affordable”.
This year the company has expanded its product portfolio and offers attractive sales terms to customers. Workflow of employees is also optimized.
The crisis, when the company had to cut down on its expenses, happened in 2010. “At that time we had a very intensive growth and decided to expand the branch network. New expenses emerged that we were not ready for. The company’s dynamics started to slow down. We had to take urgent but reasonable decisions that affected employees’ work and the company’s activities in general. Not a single employee suffered”, - Andrey laughs. The company had a fresh start in its development.
In 2010 a new company “AksHouse” was started. It produces houses of module and wireframe construction.
Gazprom, Bentley and other customers
One of the main company’s activities today is work with corporate customers. “We are doing well in B2B sector. Probably, we are the only company in the industry that has such clients as “Gazprom”, “Bentley”, “Triple”, - says Andrey. Company’s ceilings have been installed in the Independence Palace, Minsk City Council sessions hall, in the office of “Gazprom Tranzgaz” in Gomel, in the office of the head of “Belaz”. Many cafes and restaurants that were looking for unusual design solutions, like “Piaffer”, “Bessonnitsa”, “Mon Café”, have chosen “AksInterier”.
How to work much and enjoy life
Andrey has two higher degrees – from Leon Kozminski Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management in Warsaw and the school of management of the Belarusian Economic University. He also holds a degree of Executive MBA.
I also find time for reading – 2-3 books per month. I do jogging in the morning and martial arts.
Tips for businessmen from Andrey Korotenko
Talk to successful people; ask them how they managed to succeed. Attend trainings or watch then on the Internet.
Find something you like. There’s no point doing something just for money.
You don’t have to choose a sphere with low competition. If an industry is highly competitive, it’s worth it. You can always find your niche – look for the exclusive offer you can provide. For example, all Belarusian ceiling producing companies use the same materials and components. Only people make the difference. And we have very good employees.