A few years ago, at a time when it sounded almost heretical, Mr. Emilov told the Engineering Magazine review that Start Engineering will develop as a "big white" firm. Do you still share this philosophy?
Of course! Start Engineering is among the few companies in the country owned by its employees. With the privatization of the company all specialists have become shareholders. We have no outside involvement, we have never used credit. Neither financially nor professionally dependent on anyone or anything. We are developing only in the engineering field. Our personnel policy is uncompromising. We recruit young specialists - even before graduating. We train them, shape them, model them. We offer them good opportunities for professional development. We run new projects, in line with the state of the art technology, which is what shapes the engineering worldview of our specialists. We also participate in the rehabilitation of active sites in the energy and industrial sectors.
With so many different projects at home and abroad, production bases in different cities and large staff, what do you think is the successful company climate?
As is well known to the readers of the Engineering Review magazine, Start Engineering is specialized exclusively in engineering, which could only be performed successfully by highly qualified specialists. That is why we build an atmosphere of collegiality in the company. For the development of Start Engineering we rely heavily on personal responsibility. Our engineers are fully responsible for the projects they are engaged in. Not only for their technical implementation, but also for the financial part, the investor relations, the supply of the equipment, etc.
Big companies are usually managed purely administratively, and you are talking about responsibility that implies a great personal freedom!
My personal conviction is that the good image of Start Engineering, not only in Bulgaria but also in different parts of the world where we have implemented projects, is thanks not only to Sofia management but to every member of the team. Someone would probably say that the vote of full confidence is a two-edged sword, but what is the reverse situation - people would become pure performers. A company such as Start Engineering, which I reiterate, performs hi-tech projects, could only be successful with knowledgeable, motivated and responsible professionals. There are no conventions in the relationship between Start Engineers, because every person who has felt disillusionment can not be dedicated to his work.
Not one and two of the engineering companies in Bulgaria have diversified the activity in quite different directions. Should we expect to invest in construction over the coming years?
We are neither traders nor hoteliers. Engineering is included in the statutes of the joint-stock company and will continue to be our sole business. But, of course, we need to expand the engineering services we offer. And in different directions. For example, in the field of telecommunications. Also, in connection with the large-scale projects for the construction of buildings, type of mall, both in Bulgaria and in the neighboring countries, we intend to develop the direction for building automation.
Are you going to join the stock exchange?
We do not have such intentions. Start Engineering is a closed-end joint-stock company. At least for the time being, we do not intend to use the stock exchange as a source of investment.
Several months ago, the industry spoke starkly that Start Engineering would be acquired by a major European company. Will you sell, Mr. Ninov?
The truth is that in recent years, we had proposals to buy, and not one, but several big companies. But binding ourselves to just one producer would reduce our competition many times. The customer is the one who chooses the equipment. Start Engineering's policy is to work with all suppliers of quality equipment.
Has the time come for quality engineering and quality engineering?
There are still investors who want only the cheapest. Start Engineering does not work with the cheapest but only with verified brands. However, there is a tendency for changing criteria and attitudes. Companies that do not pay due attention to quality have begun to drop out of the market.
Finally, we can not ask you about your participation in the construction of Sofia subway!
The metro project in the capital is proud of Start Engineering. During our years of active participation in the implementation of the project we have gained a lot of experience. We strive and succeed at every next station to introduce something new, something even more modern.