Call for Leaders – 3Q is a new category where Business Review features our 3 questions with some of Romania’s top business professionals, bringing a positive, insightful, or otherwise constructive view of their markets in the context of the current crisis.

Current conversation: Alexandru Stânean, CEO TeraPlast Group

What are the measures you took for your business during this period?

We initially set up a Commission of Analysis. Its members meet daily to assess business continuity and our employees’ situation. They are our most important asset. Naturally, we were first concerned of their protection so, the first measures we took were in this direction. Depending on their activity, some of them work from home. The same applies to our colleagues who have children at home.

We have eliminated face to face meetings, and we have special procedures to follow by drivers who deliver goods from the risk zones. We have different plans of action depending on the evolution of the current situation. Our employees need a job, an income for their families and the impact on our activity must be minimal, therefore these are our priorities right now.

We also got involved in the local community by donations of over RON125.000 to hospitals in Bistrita, Baicoi and Leskovac (Serbia). We consider it vital to support the efforts of hospitals in the fight they are currently experiencing and becoming increasingly difficult every day.

What’s your advice for business leaders regarding this crisis?

We are witnessing a global crisis we have never experienced before. Moreover, we need to manage it without having a manual at our disposal. Instead, most of us have the experience of the past crises.

We must not let ourselves overwhelmed by fear. We must focus on supporting production as this is the source for the national economy development. If we stop the economy’s engine because of fear, there might be nothing to return to later. We already have over 1 million people unemployed in Romania.

The consumption of Romanian products must be encouraged. This is the only way to help companies maintain their employees and thus support the economy. However, we must be very careful about cashing.

The state must come up with specific measures for each activity sector. In construction, works and settlement are vital. We want to work and strive in this direction, but it is not enough. We continue to take in orders and have the resources to respond in the same way to requests received. That’s not enough. We need support through real and rapid measures.

What’s the most positive business news you’ve read today and want to share?

Positive news is very rare now but have not disappeared. We are happy every time we see a positive piece of news. I was pleasantly surprised to see the state settle more than 500 projects across the country, funded by Local Development National Program (PNDL). There are many reports about the involvement of the private sector in supporting the efforts of hospitals throughout the country. Many companies shifted their production to materials in need now.

No matter the evolution of the current situation, everybody must know that Romania’s economy goes on. We, for example, have chosen to contribute to the few good news of recent times. We have inaugurated the new Romanian Wetterbest factory, online. It is an investment worth RON44,5 million lei, where 350 people are working.

We invested thinking of our partners and our long-term development. We promoted a calm and rational attitude and we continue to do so. We need to be in permanent dialog and get informed only from official sources. If we learn the lessons of these times, we will emerge stronger.

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