Exclusive    Romanian snacks producer makes 30 percent of turnover from exports

2012-05-31 11:09:56

For Romanian puffy snack producer Phoenix company, better known through their landmark products, Gusto “pufuleti”, the exports of their production represent a significant source of revenues, in order to maintain a turnover margin over the domestic market evolution. According to the company’s representatives, the Romanian producer attains now 30 percent of the overall company’s turnover by exports, in 18 countries in Europe and US. Daily, the producer sells, both on domestic market and exports, approximate 1.1 million bags of snacks, translated into EUR 1.6 million worth sales monthly. Last year, attained a turnover of EUR 18, following the company’s data.
“The last years were defined by different changes, with the economic turmoil impacting all industries, including the food industry. The Romanian purchase power decreased and the domestic market posted a continuous contraction. These are times when Romanian consumer behaviour changed significantly, as the buyers became more cautious with their expenses and chose more carefully what they put in their shopping basket, “ stated Eliodor Apostolescu (photo), GM of Phoenix, Gusto Pufuleti  producer and also, one of the two founders of the company.
The business started 20 years ago with USD 2,000 and it was established by two Romanians, Eliodor Apostolescu  and Catalin Nour, sharing equal stakes within the company.  After 4 years on the Romanian market, we had 25 employees in the company and now, there are over 270 people working at the production facility at Baicoi,” Apostolescu said. Asked if they would sell one day the company, Apostolescu stated: Years ago, we have been invited to some negotiations targeting a takeover but we declined it. We still have many plans in order to grow the business and we are not interested to sell”.