Unique
— 2005-08-25 —

Stefano Vlahovic’s personality is truly unique. He speaks five foreign languages, including Japanese, and has mastered many professions, ranging from philology to piloting aircrafts. His credentials are especially impressive, and include – among many others - Chairman of the Foreign Investors Association Council in Kaliningrad; Honorary Consul of Croatia in Kaliningrad; Representative to the Croatian Chamber of Trade and Commerce; Advisor to the Chairman of the Olympic Committee; member of the Kaliningrad Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. 

Mr. Vlahovic is also President of PRODUKTY PITANIA Company, which produces more than 45 ZOLOTOY PETUSHOK and DOMASHNAYA SKAZKA convenience foods.  And we are visiting him today.

As far as I know, your company imports tremendous amounts of chicken meat from all over the world. How about the chicken flu problem?

Presently, we acquire raw meat in Brazil, United States and locally, in Kaliningrad where this problem is not urgent at the moment. It is important that our products are always of the highest quality, however, and given the warnings about this flu, we must remain cautious at all times. We even supply products for the President’s Administration. Can you imagine if anyone there falls sick?

What is the demand for frozen convenience foods worldwide and in Russia? Are there any specific features or preferences?

If we compare Russian and American foods markets we will see that they are the same in the number of foods consumed and the amounts spent for food. No matter how much a person earns he will eat as much as he can afford to. At the same time there are many more plants like ours in America than in Russia, where ours is the only operation. And like women in America, women in Russia work, and they do not have much time to cook.

What are your business development plans for Kaliningrad and the region?

We are now completing construction on our fourth facility, where we will produce mainly meat products.

What is the structure of your company?

PRODUKTY PITANIA is comprised of 16 offices in Russia, a distribution center in Krasnodar, a Kaliningrad-based frozen convenience foods plant (the largest in Europe), and 2,000 employees.

Some people think that after the fourth facility is launched, it will negatively affect the environment in the Moskovsky district of the region and even that of the city. What do you have to say in this respect?

We signed a contract with a Dutch company, which will build a water treatment plant for more than $2 million. They say one can even drink the water after it’s treated. And although I can’t believe this claim entirely, I would like to see it happen.  We will not only treat our waste water, but also that of Lesnoye-Novoye village.

Stefano, how soon will the treatment facilities be installed and launched?

The plant will be fully operable within 12 months, and by that time the water treatment equipment will surely be in place. Otherwise we will not be able to launch the production facility.

Do you still favor the idea of participating in the process of cleaning the Lesnaya River?

Of course we do. Moreover, we want to improve the areas around our facilities. That is why we repaired the road and sidewalks leading to Dzerzhisky Street and sponsored the city’s anniversary.

What are your competitors worldwide, in Russia and in our region?

I don’t think there are any as large as we are. Of course there are a number of companies in Europe and America that manufacture similar products, but they do not operate in Russia.  And even if they do, their presence is very tiny and the prices they charge are 5-8 times higher.

Stefano, do you always speak the truth? If not, what do you prefer to keep away from the public?

I’m not sure that any person is capable of saying only true things all the time. As for me, whenever an inconvenient issue arises, I try to avoid discussing it. Lies are always revealed sooner or later.

What is your Zodiac sign?

Cancer.

Where and when were you born?

I was born in the northeast of Italy in Triesta, in 1965, to older parents.  My father was born in 1904, and he is a Croat.

Please, describe your bio in brief?

I studied in Italy, then in the States, and later in Japan. I worked in Italy and in Russia.

And how many times did you have to bribe officials or present gifts to them?

There were no reasons to do so. We don’t ask anyone for anything, nor do we service the state or privatize facilities. We build everything from the ground up, which is why I have not faced this problem.  It surprises me when I read foreign newspapers and they say Russia is corrupt. Probably those who come to Sheremetyevo and want to have it all at once are more likely to use bribes. But this is like breaking a door instead of opening it.

Have you never provided any service to officials?

I have a lot of friends and acquaintances, who work in all spheres and industries. When I fly to Moscow I have to say ‘hi’ to nearly half of the passengers on the plane. And if I can help someone organize a meeting or give him a ride or take him somewhere I always do this.

Are you happy with your staff?

I believe that we employ competent and good people. But we have had a difficult time finding them. That’s why it’s advantageous to hire experienced professionals who also like working for your organization.

Does it happen once a year?

A qualified applicant shows up every 2 to 4 months or so. As far as I know, Russia is home to many smart professionals. But people cannot always find good jobs. So there is probably no place for them in Russia at all.

Stefano, are you interested in politics?

Politics means everything. I eagerly watch what is going on in the news, and have friends who are politicians.  But I think that politics is like the weather. I cannot influence it and I never try.

Have you looked through the latest version of the Law on Special Economic Zone?

Yes, I have.

What are the benefits it provides for foreign businesses?

None. It is a compromise law, and the latest version removes obstacles that would render a business unprofitable. This version is satisfactory for the majority of free economic zone participants.

What inspires you here, in Kaliningrad?

Mainly the team I work with; I am always happy to go to work. Secondly, I like to see our efforts appreciated. Sometimes I go into stores and watch how people pick up the products I invented, read the product information, and put them into their baskets. That picks me up and raises my spirit.

Who is your main opponent?

It is most likely my Vice-President, Damir Imamovic. I am a fast person and he slows me down a little bit.

What can you never buy for money?

Happiness. You can have tons of money but still dwell in misery.  For instance, people who live in the Croatian islands are the happiest. They do not earn much, but they live peacefully and so much better than many of their wealthier compatriots.  I look at them and think that money doesn’t solve a lot of problems.

Galina CHERNYSHEVA