“By end-2014, we will go beyond the mark of 100 equipped stores. This year we’ve consolidated partnerships with Mega Image, Billa, Kaufland and Auchan,” says Daniel Mocanu, general manager and majority stakeholder in DAAS.
The entrepreneur shifted from selling juice dispensers and ice-cream machines two decades ago, to providing equipment for hypermarkets, supermarkets, canteens and restaurant kitchens, a business valued at over EUR27 million this year. The profit margin now stands below 10%, according to ZF estimates based on previous years.
“So far, we’ve posted a 7.5% revenue advance, after a slight decline on the HoReCa segment and an increase in retail and services. We believe, though, that by yearend we will have an over 10% increase as most retail projects open toward yearend”.
Modern retail sees 250-280 stores open annually and DAAS provides equipment to over 100 of them.
“The weight of contracts with foreigners in our revenue has risen in recent years, both in retail and HoReCa. When it comes to local entrepreneurs, we are more restrictive, we work only with those that meet their obligations. Foreigners, on the other hand, make their payments in due time, they are predictable and serious,” says Mocanu.
For 2015, Mocanu has budgeted flat revenue from HoReCa and retail and counts on strong growth of receipts from industrial refrigeration, HVAC (ventilation and air conditioning), shopfitting and from foreign markets.
“Overall, we’ve budgeted an increase of at least 10%, but in a best-case scenario we can go as high as 15%, even 20%”.
From foreign markets alone, the supplier expects sales of EUR3 million, out of which EUR2 million from the Republic of Moldova and EUR1 million from Ukraine.
Daniel Mocanu says he still mulls investing in production, a plan the entrepreneur announced three years ago. The economic situation upset his plans, though. “In terms of production, we’re still waiting to see the economic context”.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)