Eng. Dimitar Ivanov, Owner and Manager of "Cheh Plast" Ltd.
Eng. Dimitar Ivanov is Chairman of the Regional Industrial Association - Vratsa, owner and manager of "Cheh Plast" since its establishment in 2000. "Cheh Plast" offers production and installation of aluminum joinery, German PVC windows, curtain walls, ventilated facades with composite panel (bond), ceramics, HPL, large-format grease and Rock panel, fiber cement, winter gardens, sun protections.
Why did you choose Vratsa to start a business?
I was born in the Czech Republic, but I grew up, studied and worked in Vratsa and I followed the folk wisdom that stone weighs best in its place. Even now, 24 years after the establishment of the company, I believe that I have done the right thing, although there were business partners and friends who advised me to move my production to Sofia, where we mainly work.
Do you remember the beginning? What difficulties did you face and how did you get through them?
I remember it very well, because it was extremely difficult. In 1996, the owners of a furniture company entrusted me to create a window repair shop, which worked very well. In 1999, the furniture part of the company went down financially, which forced me to create my company in November 2000. Another, twenty-something joinery company in Vratsa, with a rented small workshop and second-hand machines, without a client wallet, was the real situation then. Our only advantage was the experience and knowledge gained in the field of production and installation of aluminum and PVC windows and curtain walls, by me and the workers who followed me. It was difficult, but we managed to win customers – first in Bulgaria, then abroad.
Today, 24 years later, what is the bottom line?
From 260 m2 of rented premises and six employees in November 2000 to 3000 m2 of own buildings, own office in Sofia, about 90 staff and 65% of the production exported to Western Europe. To date, this is the dry numerical balance. Thousands of satisfied customers and investors from all over Bulgaria, who continue to trust us, put us in a situation where we are no longer able to accept everyone's orders, despite the repeated modernizations with new machines, equipment and staff increases, which have led to a multiplied increase in production capacity. For the last 18 months, we have invested more than BGN 2,000,000 (under operational programs and own funds) for machinery, equipment and implementation of an IRP management system - SAP B1, in order to be able to produce new products, improve the quality and organization of production, again led by the increased demand for our products and services, as well as green energy from a photovoltaic plant.
In public terms: From 2007 to 2015 I was Chairman of the Board of our national branch organization – the Bulgarian Association of Facade Industry (BAFI); Since 2007 I have been Chairman of the Management Board of the Regional Industrial Association – Vratsa; Since 2019, I have also been Chairman of the Board of the Public Endowment Fund for Vratsa. All these public positions are recognition for me personally and my company, but they are related to additional commitments and, most of all, time.
The balance in a personal aspect is unflattering – since 1996 a 12-14-hour working day, damaged by time spent together and the attention of a son and wife, which is a very high price for what has been achieved, but I cannot turn back the clock, and I am so arranged that whatever I start to do, I do it right.
What is the advantage of "Cheh Plast"?
Innovation first. "Cheh Plast" is among the first to introduce innovations in our industry on the Bulgarian market. My team and I attend all the leading specialized exhibitions in Europe and so we are well informed about the novelties. Last year we signed a big contract because it turned out that this product in Bulgaria was produced only by us and another company. Our second important advantage is quality, service and honesty to customers.
How many people work in the company and are you having difficulty recruiting?
I have already mentioned that "Cheh Plast" Ltd. and "Cheh Plast – Montagi" Ltd. currently employ about 90 employees. There are difficulties with finding staff only for installers, because with the trip to the sites (most often in Sofia) their absence from home amounts to almost 12 hours due to the construction of the Mezdra - Botevgrad expressway. I hope the expressway will be completed on time, after which we will all have two hours more for rest and family, saved from the trip to the capital and back. I have to be objective that since May we have an application to the Labor Office - Vratsa, for a forklift driver and two common workers, and so far we have one common worker come and been appointed. This eloquently shows the situation with the labor force on the Bulgarian labor market. For this reason, more and more employers are hiring workers from third countries.
What are the three reasons why one should visit the city of Vratsa?
I will be happy to answer and I hope to intrigue those who read the interview.
The natural attractions that you should not miss are the Ledenika cave, God's Bridge, the highest vertical rock in the Balkans – Vratsata, and the stunning natural views in the Vratsa Balkan.
The Regional History Museum preserves the priceless finds in the area, among which are the Rogozen Silver Treasure – the largest Thracian treasure found in Bulgaria, the golden wreath and other ornaments of a buried Thracian princess.
In the last ten years, during the time of its current mayor, Vratsa has renovated its city center. Modern pedestrian areas, renovated playgrounds, fountains and green areas create a cozy and attractive atmosphere for guests and residents of the city.
These three reasons make Vratsa an ideal destination for a minimum weekend stay in our city.
www.chehplast.com
