Could you give us
historical background of Universal Motors?
Our company is relatively young. It was created
in 1999. However, it has already been recognized
twice "Best Company of the Year". We
have very wide range of services, which we expand
every day.
What are your relations with the Russian company
"Lukoil"?
Lukoil was the shareholder of the Bank Caspiyskiy,
which is our good partner. With assistance of
Lukoil, we attracted investments that gave us
opportunity to expand.
Elaborate on the main services and activities
of Universal Motors in Kazakhstan?
At first, we worked in automobile market and
with the improvement of service equipment; we
were able to offer better services. At the moment,
our core activity is still automobile market but
we also in construction, publishing, trade business.
With the improvement of economic situation and
better spending, the demand for elite automotive
goods increased. We work in this direction with
Canadian company even though it is not our main
activity.
Comment and give us information about your
main partners in Kazakhstan?
Right now we are trying t reach an agreement
with Japanese company "Ituchi" about
distribution of Suzuki cars. We also have been
working for a long time with Taliatti Company
"VAZ"; however, due to a new contract
we need to stop our partnership.
Could you elaborate on competition? Are there
many companies in the market and what is your
position?
Obviously, we have some competitors but due to
the transitional condition of economy, the level
of companies' development is different. This gives
the opportunity to each company expand without
close relation to other companies. The market
is quite open.
What is the positioning of your company in
the market?
If we talk about automotive sector, our biggest
competitors are Toyota and Mercury, which are
very stable companies. For the last two years
we were recognized as the best company. At the
same time it is difficult to compare between us
because we have quite different range of services.
Therefore, I would not say whether we are number
1 or 2 or 3.
Could you tell us whether you have foreign
partners and are you looking forward to collaborating
with any?
We are looking for investors in order to expand
our activities. We are working with Russian companies
in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, and
Omsk. Besides, we have a partner - German company-
"Gutta".
Could you give us some figures like sales
and turnover?
The profit for this year is 250000 Dollars. This
year we haven't sold any cars. Last year we sold
80-100 "VAZ" cars every month. |
Could you elaborate
on your future plans of the company and projects?
As I already mentioned, we are looking for new
investments because we are planning on creation
of a new trade house where customers would be
able to get high quality service and needed spare
parts. Next spring we are starting construction
of a new Auto Complex for sale of the most popular
cars. It will be very big with wide range of services.
How many people are working in the company?
Right now 56 people are working in our company.
All of them are highly qualified professional
where 30 of them are specialists in cars and 26
people are in management team.
Do you have any other offices or you are planning
to open?
We do not have any more offices. However, we
have representative offices in Astana, Pavlodar,
and Kostanai, where we sell our cars. All specialists
in these cities received a special education.
Do you have any plans regarding the expansion
to CIS countries?
Our potential partner is Kyrgyzstan, where the
market conditions are very favorable. We are going
to open a representative office there and work
together.
Do you have a future vision; let's say for
10 - year period?
First of all, we would like to preserve our position
in the market. Second, we would like to have a
representation all over Kazakhstan. Then, we would
like to have more partnerships with foreign companies
in order to give full range of services to our
customers.
Do you have specific strategies for the achievement
of your goals?
We make stronger our representation in the region
through training of our staff and marketing. After
that company is working independently. It's like
franchising.
How do you differentiate from your competitors?
First of all we have different kind of products.
We are working with all types of cars. Besides
we have supporting activities such as construction,
publishing. We also work with corporate clients
such as Embassies, Representatives and big foreign
companies. We are also working on social programs
and closely collaborate with the Government. We
also support sport events.
Could you tell us about your professional
background?
I graduated from State Academy of Management
in 1995 with specialization in International Economy.
Before I used to work for a pension fund. When
this company was just organizing, the owners of
the company invited me to manage it.
Could you give us a final message to our readers?
Kazakhstan has a favorable market, which is open.
At the moment we are trying to explain this to our
foreign partners. I would like to suggest your readers
to find out more about the country and possible
partnerships with Kazakhstan companies. |
