INTERVIEW: CEO OF “EM-ONIKS” LTD. LUKAVAC ENES MEMIC, WINNER OF “BEST MANAGER 2013 IN BIH” AWARD
By: Lejla KURTOVIC
SARAJEVO, April 30 (ONASA) – CEO of “EM-ONYX” Ltd. Lukavac Enes Memic in an interview with the ONASA Agency talks about the significance of the “Best Manager 2013 in BiH” award which he recently won, results of the company at the end of last business year and the first two months of 2014, current and planned projects, employment, the business environment in BiH, business plans of the company “EM-ONYX” and other topics.
ONASA: You were awarded the “Best Manager 2013 BiH” recognition. How important this recognition is for you and what do you consider to be the key of your success?
MEMIC: Any award, whether for me personally or for the company, means a lot to me. I believe that recognitions by themselves do not mean much if they are not followed by good business results. Also, each of them is a tribute to my employees because they are largely responsible for the good results of the company, and any recognition reinforces the image of the company EM-ONYX.
As for the key to my success, lately we often hear the term “human resource management”, human resources and so on. It is certain that human resources in a company are its pillar. What is the key to the success of a company is the success and the skills of a manager to surround himself with good, skilled and functional team. Teamwork is the core of the functioning of a company and eases the road to success. That is why I believe that my company’s success lies not only in my good ideas and decisions, but largely in people who together with me put my ideas into action and who, like me, are an integral part of the company.
ONASA: What were your business results at the end of last year and first two months of 2014?
MEMIC: When it comes to basic financial indicators for 2013, we achieved a revenue of 11.925.265 BAM, profit of 191.651 BAM, exports in the amount 758.319 BAM, and production results were 2.922.405 BAM.
In January this year revenue amounted to about 880,000 BAM, production 250,000 BAM while in February revenues stood at about 950,000 BAM and production at 245,000 BAM.
ONASA: What projects are you currently working on and can you announce any new projects or investments?
MEMIC: Company “EM-ONYX” Ltd. has been operating successfully for many years with a large number of companies both at home and abroad. Given the fact that we’ve opted for production through one part of our business we daily examine the market looking for possibility of expanding the manufacturing and service range. Thus in the beginning of 2013 we purchased and installed the latest “Platino new” laser and a new press from company Prima Power Italy. Laser “Platino new” can cut plates: steel up to 20 mm, stainless steel up to 10 mm and aluminum up to 8 mm, as well as tubes of all profiles (squared, round and oval) from 40 mm to 300 mm. In a short time we trained and qualified workers to work on the laser and the press and already we have successful business with several companies.
We know that the laser technology is cutting edge in the sector of metal industry and the very procurement of the machine speaks about our future direction of development, as we have said earlier: production, production and only production.
I would also mention the most important investments in the last five years: the construction of the motel “Onyx” worth 910,000 BAM, investment in transport equipment and machinery 650,000 BAM, investment in machinery and equipment for the production of profiles 200,000 BAM, investment in the laser, press, accessories and tools and renovation of the workshop 1,300,000 BAM, building a two-storey parking in the Hotel “Senad od Bosne” 700,000 BAM, installation of bio-filter for wastewater in the Hotel “Senad od Bosne” 35,000 BAM and investments in land and buildings (ancillary facilities) 155,000 BAM. This means that the total investment amounted to 3.950.000 BAM.
ONASA: How many workers “EM-ONIKS” has and do you plan to employ more in this year?
MEMIC: Planning development of the company, particularly in the area of production, normally needs creation of new jobs. If we compare the number of employees 10 years ago, when we had 26, with 2014, when we have 80 workers, plus 10 in a daughter company “Em-Oniks-Trans”, then we can conclude that the further development of the company will create a need for a new workforce.
ONASA: How do you assess the economic environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina? What obstacles you usually face in business?
MEMIC: There is little space and time to convey all our messages and thinking about the future progress and development of the economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. My basic message to all companies, both big and small and private and public, is that mutual communication, contacts and exchanges of views, is very poor. We lack the umbrella group in order together to summarize all our problems and talk to the state institutions. We are the ones who best know what we’re dealing with in our work, what the obstacles and problems we have to solve to get the company remain successful. I believe that together we are much stronger and that our “collective” voice would be much better heard.
My message to politicians is ‘visit us once, talk to us’, we are not asking for much, just little of your time to hear our opinions and suggestions. Here I deliberately say “little time” because we do not have a lot of time to discuss politics, we just want to give our suggestions and proposals and possible solutions to the many problems that hinder us in further work and development.
Of course there is a chance for a better life. Just look at how we in private sector fight and develop our companies. We plan to start new plants, new stores, new small craft shops and large international companies. This is proof that all of us awaits certainly a much better future, and that is worth living and invest in all areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
ONASA: What are the key business plans of the company “EM-ONIKS” by the end of this year?
MEMIC: One of the key plans of our company is further development of production capacities. We are currently in negotiations with one foreign firm on production of profiles for drywall under their brand. Also, we plan to increase services of metal laser cutting. Implementation of these activities would largely increase export of the company and create new jobs.
Our goal is to continue to operate fairly and correctly with all our customers and suppliers, because we believe that behind the success of our company are our customers and suppliers.
ONASA: What are your plans and long-term ambitions as a manager?
MEMIC: Although the firm “EM-ONIKS” realizes the most profits through commercial activity, I think that there three basic pillars of my company, both in the present and in the future, ie production, production and production. This order is not random, because only creation of our own products and services can lead our country to a better tomorrow to the long term and sustainable development.
My vision of “EM-ONIKS” in the future is the company to be recognized for its manufacturing facilities and to achieve largest profit in the field of production. Investment in new production capacity and creating the potential for job creation and employment of young workers.
Also, we can not ignore the Hotel “Senad of Bosnia”, on which we are particularly proud, and the hotel become distinctive with its quality and service, not only in Bosnia but also in the wider region. So we are planning new investments in Hotel and Motel, as well as the creation of a favorable tourism environment at Lake Modrac. We as a country are not aware of the potential we have in the field of tourism. I say this because I travel very often abroad due to work and believe me you cannot see such beautiful and diverse regions, mountains, rivers, lakes, everywhere. Our country is beautiful, among the most beautiful, and therefore I see great potential for development and job creation in tourism sector.(end)