We have already informed that the recently newly built building in the Old OSTMALA work started Ltd. Grieg and Co. meat processing new workshop. "Courland bacon" is now one of the largest and most modern meat processing plants Latvian, and it is built on part-time to the European Foundation for the SAPARD funds. If last year the company "Grieg & Co's turnover amounted to 7.79 million lats, the" Courland bacon ", which is one of the business units - 1.24 million lats.
The fact that been done, "Courland Name" to the negotiations called for the company's Director General Andri Grieg.
- LLC "Grieg & Co" was founded in 1993. The meat processing started 8 years ago to pursue a very small space. Today production takes place in new, large workshops, using modern technology. Are these changes gājāt deliberately?
- It can certainly be said, because the moment came when it was decided to work on. Until now, the old meat shop located in a building that was built thirty years ago. After joining the European Union, the Latvian food producers should expect significant changes in quality improvement. Had it - either attract new funds and the road or even stop the processing of meat. We decided to build a new plant. Now the new building is not just a workshop, but also the company's administration and the cafeteria.
- Large projects need a lot of money.
- Sure. In our case it took 4.5 million lats. We used not only bank loans, but we decided to also qualify for the European Foundation for the SAPARD funds.
- What does this mean in real life - eligible for SAPARD funds?
- If short, then the preparation phase, until the fund is no agreement and there are paperwork - it is a very large bureaucratic machine, which pass through. The Fund requires a variety of projects, they only understand their business plans. Using specially developed methodology, calculated the company's viability, through tighter analysis. I know that no one except a Latvian company, who also wished to receive SAPARD funds directly to the bureaucracy and a specific estimate of the expected support did not win. Then, when it was contracted by the Fund, we were able to take credit at the bank and to build a new factory. When it was built, started another very interesting link.
- What?
- From Brussels, the fund has already said, we arrived at the five-person team, four days went by company check, as they say, spent every nail. They are guided by the project, after which it was built in the building, recited every tube, every sewer tap, not to mention an even bigger things. For example, all the ventilation tubes were remeasured with the meter of the mayor.
- And the result?
- We received praise from the commission, which are one of the few Latvian enterprises are not guilty of any discounts and amateur.
- Returning to the moment it first prepare your documents SAPARD fund. Said that this was not an easy step.
- Yes, because there are certain criteria that should guide all the documents required to be trained. In this respect, I can say a big thank you Liepaja City Council Development Administration chief Gunars Ansiņam. In my opinion, Gunnar Ansiņš did exactly what he, as Head of Development Administration to do, but because the government created to help entrepreneurs in Liepaja. We very often do not convert good opportunities, as do not know that they are and where to seek help.
- How much is heard saying that production is one of the cornerstones of the economy. How does it do you think is in Liepaja?
- Of course, that it! I am delighted that the last time, it embraces more and more. In non-manufacturing, non-value added but nothing happens. It is like two times two. And the production certainly could grow much faster. Just my opinion, it's not so much inertia in our city, and at the national level, as it is defended or supported by national producers. Call me about the lobbying, if you want! No one else from the European Union, which now are, for us nerūpēsies. Just the same it should be done.
- The supermarket you have your own opinion.
- Yes, because I think with each particular local interest should be stated that the supermarket exercised in such and such percentage of the items produced by local manufacturers. For example, why do we keep biscuits or bread from Riga, where the smaller and larger businesses it is produced right here in Liepaja and region? Like our beer or sausages. If traded in local products, then people here can be assured that they will work. Although we have now metušies to supermarkets and small shops and there will certainly be. The European experience shows, such as Poland, Germany, Spain, and elsewhere. There also is no longer such a type of canned cans nebūvē stores, because a lot more attention is paid to the difference in each store.
- JSC "We - Liepaja", one of the three owners are, very shortly going to open a supermarket "Kurzeme". Is it not more like one between similar?
- "Kurzeme" concept will be quite different, because the tenants chose a very thorough selection. Now fully all the rooms rented. We were able to do so within one month, in wishing much, but then "Kurland" should be the same as everywhere. Do buyers come? Renovated commercial building opening planned for early April.
When the "Courland" will be opened, will begin the hotel "Liva" ambitious reconstruction. Now I can tell you the fact that the hotel would be built in the sixth floor - mostly glass, located where the hotel restaurant and other food places. Leasing the first floor rooms. My belief that we do not need no Swedes or Norwegians, not Americans, to keep a helping hand. Liepaja operators themselves may be, unless he wants. I think that the company "We - Liepāja" proved it. Only way to go, nothing falls from the air. We are also going to business plans, we take credit, accounts, planning.
- Finally, again for "Courland bacon." In January, the factory has won Food and Veterinary Service in recognition of the company's license, work is now in full swing. What types of output are manufacturing?
- They have more than one hundred various meat products products: smoked, sausage, sausages, sausages, pies, etc.. If the past day produced up to four tonnes of production, now we reach the ten tons. The new shop building was certainly one of the most important stages of the company's history. In my opinion, the biggest beneficiaries of the meat on the market are traders who made the production process of modernization. Increasing levels of production, their products will realize not only in Kurzeme, but throughout the Latvian. To ensure the expeditious delivery of goods to all the partners in stores, soon going to develop and implement a modern logistics center project.
Daiga Borska
In Kurzemes bekons 4.5 million LVL are invested
- Wednesday, 23 March 2005 02:00
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