Intex: after 30 years, a "second wind" appeared, we began to move forward more actively

Thanks to a competent marketing policy and, first of all, the quality of wood-cutting tools, which have been produced for 30 years, the «Intex» company has won the trust of both domestic woodworkers and industry specialists from the Baltic countries, as well as Romania, Bulgaria and others.

One of the founders of the company and its permanent manager — Yaroslav Lazarchuk — today is the interlocutor of our publication.

— To Yaroslav Volodymyrovych, your company «Intex» is a long-time survivor on the Ukrainian market, and every year it is gaining momentum. Share with our readers the secrets of success.

— Ivanovo is called the city of weavers, and I would call Kamianets-Podilskyi the city of toolmakers. Because it is famous not only for the fact that, thanks to its geographical location, for several centuries it was constantly in the vortex of the most interesting historical events, but also for its industrial, in particular metalworking, enterprises. For example, did you know that the first workshop of the carbide tool factory was put into operation way back in 1919, and the future People’s Commissar H. AND. Petrovsky? The Kamianets-Podilsky wood-cutting tool factory under the Union was a leading industry enterprise in Ukraine. After the termination of its activity in 1990, Peter Kolomiyts and I were among the first in the city to create a private enterprise, where we independently mastered the production of the same products. The first years were not easy. The machine park made us wish for the best. But it was gradually updated: first we developed and manufactured our own machines for soldering carbide cutters, then we gradually began to purchase European equipment, thanks to which today we are well equipped and able to produce products that meet the demands of the most demanding enterprises in terms of tool quality.

In 2020, we solemnly celebrated the 30th anniversary of the company. But among the events that have taken place in recent years, the most important thing for me is that «Intex» finally became a fully family company: they decided to put their daughter and son-in-law on their side. And I was able to breathe a sigh of relief: in the past, probably, like many, the company had problems with personnel, and besides, not everyone, as it turned out, could be trusted. And now nearby — all yours and everything is wonderful!

We managed to do a lot in a relatively short period of time. The production workshop was completed. Thanks to loans, 5–7–9% bought new equipment. They began to increase the volume of production after the previous stagnation. If it doesn’t get worse, we will survive.

— Your company actively promotes its products to foreign markets. Where do the main revenues come from today: across the border or from domestic consumers?

— Now it is 50 to 50. But we are constantly increasing production volumes, mastering modern advanced technical processes in order to improve the quality of our tool and reduce its cost. After 30 years, a «second wind» appeared, we began to move forward more actively. This is exciting! I admit that the previous 5-6 years were very difficult, there were many new obstacles to doing business, but, thank God, we survived them.

— Obstacles as a result of new legislative initiatives of the authorities, loss of markets, outflow of qualified specialists abroad, organizational issues?

— Probably, all together. And there were problems in business organization, I am generally silent about the legislation: it is no secret for anyone that the authorities are not interested in manufacturing enterprises in Ukraine. We are like outcasts. There was not enough working capital. There were no loans available. Now they are, and that’s good! The internal restructuring of the company gave a lot. Everything came together like a puzzle, and little by little we moved forward…

— How has your customer changed over these 30 years? He became more competent, more demanding…

— The customer has become so «spoiled» that he has to adapt to everyone and fulfill all his «wants». Otherwise, they will take you away! Just kidding!

— What caused this pampering? A large number of performers?

 — Yes, there were also a large number of companies — manufacturers of tools, whose products until you try them — you will not understand to what extent they meet your requirements. However, now their number has sharply decreased. Our work has improved, and therefore we cope with the wishes of customers, and at the same time with the next problems that are coming up. Here, for example, the last one is the increase in the price of metal this year. Rental prices from Europe have increased by 35-40%, and domestic ones by 80-90%.

— Accordingly, you should also raise the price of your products by at least 30%?

— No, we can’t do it so drastically, but we are slowly increasing it. There are different products. It is necessary to raise, first of all, those in the price of which the value of the metal is 50% or more. But the process proceeds with some inhibition. Now the price of everything and in all markets of the world is rising. That’s why the price of wood increased by 3 times! I understand my customers who have to save on everything, and it is not surprising that the price of their products has doubled, and this is natural. And that’s why a 30-40 percent increase in the cost of only our products is already painful for them. Let’s fight. We survive only due to volumes. We can’t show off yet, but we don’t walk with an outstretched hand either. Life goes on, and I think that if we survived 31 years, we will also celebrate our 50th anniversary! Today I look to the future with optimism, everything will be fine! As in the state, so in us!

— They say that a person’s thoughts shape the reality in which he lives. That’s why you managed to survive these 30 plus years!

— Philosophical question. Maybe so! Difficulties harden some, demoralize others…

— Some companies during the pandemic, since deliveries were stopped in order to load production, released products to build up warehouse stock. Did you also get out of the situation?

— We did not have such a need. First, despite the pandemic, there were quite a lot of orders. Secondly, we do almost nothing to the warehouse, since we mainly make tools according to individual orders. Each enterprise needs a tool of a certain design with special geometric characteristics. Even seemingly standard circular saws have their nuances in each case.

— That is, it can be said that one of the competitive advantages of your group of companies is that the tool is produced according to individual TK?

— This is not an advantage. Many are made according to individual requests: today such a tool is more in demand, and requests for it are increasing every day. Even according to the results of work at the LISDEREVMASH exhibition, we have a half-book of such orders.

Each tool is necessary for the production of a product with certain exclusive characteristics, which is produced only by a specific manufacturer. And customers come to him precisely for this uniqueness, and that’s why everything is closed.

— But I think no one doubts that your leadership in the Ukrainian market is due to the use of modern high-tech equipment and advanced technical processes.

— I will not be modest: for example, in terms of the level of production of circular saws and equipment in this direction, we are indeed the first in Ukraine. Of course, someone may object, but judge for yourself: we have two robotic lines of the Vollmer company and 6 more machines of the same company, two Walter machines, three machines for automatic hard alloy soldering by the Kahny company. Our latest acquisitions: 4-axis and 5-axis machining centers for the production of milling cutters.

In a word, we are moving forward. Come and see!