We recently spoke with First Business Partner Oleksiy, the head of VLAST, about the experience that helps the company develop, taking into account today's realities.
Tetyana: Please tell us about your company: what do you do and what are the priority areas?
Oleksiy: Our company provides freight transportation services in Ukraine, guaranteeing safety, quality and timeliness of delivery. The company's fleet consists of 50 vehicles, and its own service stations ensure high reliability of transport. Priority areas are transportation using dump trucks, excavators, bulldozers, trucks and other specialized equipment.
Tetyana: Do you currently have a strategic vision for the development of your company, taking into account today's realities?
Oleksiy: It is difficult to talk about the development of the company now. In the current conditions, it is more important to hold on amidst all the challenges. But we are trying not to stand still: we are updating our fleet, we recently purchased two new cars. I believe that this is an indicator, because not every company can afford such investments now.
Tetyana: What are your current priority areas of work? What are you focusing on?
Oleksiy: Last year we successfully worked with fuel trucks, but now their relevance has decreased due to the stabilization of the fuel situation. Currently, we have returned to our main specialization - dump trucks, which make up 70% of our fleet. This is our main direction, and we are currently focusing on it.
Tetyana: What can you say about our cooperation? What do you value in interacting with our company?
Oleksiy: We have been cooperating with your company for about 8 years, and you have become one of the leaders among our suppliers. You have a very wide range of spare parts, and our cooperation is completely satisfactory. I would like to highlight your delivery: fast and high-quality.
Tetyana: What should we pay attention to in order to improve interaction?
Alexey: There is always something to improve, in this case I would improve your service of self-pickup of goods, it would be easier if you come and pick it up. Now you have to wait a long time for the code to arrive to receive the goods.
I can note that the main thing is to listen to each other. Suppliers must understand customers, and vice versa. This also applies to force majeure: they should be discussed in advance.
Tatyana: What can you say about our people? Who have you collaborated with? Who could you single out and for what?
Alexey: I work with your sales manager Yevgeny Kurmayev and manager Volodymyr Polupan. I would like to note that your sales managers always approach the matter professionally. They come with ready-made offers, and not just “to have coffee”. This saves me time, and orders are usually formed after their visits.
Tatyana: What services of our company do you consider the best that should be improved?
Alexey: Your services work well, the program is convenient. No complaints.
The procedure for returning goods could be simplified. Previously, you could simply indicate the reason, now you need to fill in the fields in detail, even if the reason is the usual “it was not needed”. This is unnecessary, in my opinion.
Tatyana: What achievements of your company over the past year are you most proud of? That you can highlight?
Alexey: We have preserved our team. All cars are staffed by drivers, 90% of whom have been with us since pre-war times. This indicates the level of the company and its conditions for employees.
The main thing is humanity. We always support employees in difficult situations, help if necessary.
Tatyana: Alexey, your story reflects the current challenges, values, and directions of the company's development, emphasizing the importance of long-term cooperation and constant improvement of services. Thank you for this conversation!