Νikos Κoukountzos: Export industries at the core of the new production model
KLEEMANN Group
Within a few weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic created a multidimensional crisis that almost simultaneously hit the world’s largest economies and brought about significant changes in the daily lives of all of us.
It is clear, however, that companies with crisis management mechanisms and a culture of immediate response have more directly addressed the two major issues of this crisis, namely to protect the health of their human resources and the smooth running of the company during the lockdown.
In practice, however, what is essential for effective crisis management is solidarity, connection and trust between the company and its people.
DIGITAL READINESS OF COMPANIES
The digital readiness of companies also played a very important role. Our response to this crisis was immediate because in recent years we have been systematically investing in the digital transformation of our company.
From the first days of the pandemic’s management, 85% of the administrative staff worked remotely while maintaining the internal communication as well as the contact with partners, suppliers and, most importantly, customers in its entirety.
At the same time, we expanded the automation and digitization of our services, such as online sales. It is obvious that the course of the Greek economy in the coming months will depend on the pace of international recovery and the speed with which the funds that will emerge from the support measures will be absorbed by the real economy.
It is necessary for all of us, each in one’s field, to immediately realize and adapt to the new conditions created by the pandemic, concerning human resource management, flexible forms of work, customer relations and supply chain resilience.
THE ROLE OF INDUSTRY
IN DEVELOPMENT
At the same time, we need to rethink the role of industry in growth. Tourism, without a doubt, is our comparative advantage and has supported the economy in the last decade, where the country has had to manage significant crises. However, it is necessary to accelerate efforts to create a new production model, at the core of which will be the export industries.
The impact of the export industries is most of the times positive, as it translates into an increase in imported currency and in particularly significant growth in employment in Greece. This can be accelerated by extroversion, innovation, digital technology, human resource development and reinforcement with new skills.
THE COMPANY AT A GLANCE
Founded in 1983 in Kilkis, Greece, KLEEMANN is one of the most important lift companies in the European and global market, providing any type of residential or commercial passenger and freight lifts. The group maintains manufacturing facilities in Greece, Serbia and China as well as assembly lines in Turkey and in Russia. Its distribution network expands to more than 100 countries. KLEEMANN continues to grow, consistent with its history and values.
