Ihor Omelianovych, please tell us about your career path.
Many years ago, I was the commercial director of a large Ukrainian enterprise, but I decided that I wanted to develop my own business. The first store called “Car pharmacy”we opened in Kyiv on the Great Ring Road. It was back in the distant year of 2012. Today, in“First aid kits”10 branches and an own delivery fleet – 40 cargo vans.
Weren't you scared to start your own business?
No. We really wanted to do that. Currently, we have 16 people with partner status, and we’ve lost virtually no contacts with manufacturers. We’re renewing our contracts with an increase in the amount of 30–50%.
What do you think is the strength of “Autoapteka”?
Of course, in a team. Together we are many (laughs). In “First aid kit for cars”"A stable workforce—staff turnover is no more than 10%.".
What is the secret to such stability?
We built our motivation around margin. We pay sales representatives a percentage of the profit. Therefore, employees are interested in making good sales.
What does “Avtoapteka” consider its main product category?
Take a look: we offer batteries, automotive chemicals, oils, and consumables. Car batteries account for about 45% of our total product range. We partner with companies from South Korea, the Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, and Kazakhstan. Our automotive chemicals are also sourced from many countries—including Ukraine, Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Engine oils and lubricants make up about 30% of our product range. The remainder—about 5%—consists of consumables.
Which lubricants do Ukrainians prefer: domestic or foreign?
Currently, domestic products account for 70% of total motor oil sales, although we also carry Spanish, German, and Russian motor oil. In my opinion, that’s an excellent figure. To be honest, we started out selling domestic motor oil. Our first partner was the Ukrainian company “Yukoil“. And currently, among the entire range of motor oils, its products account for 60%.
How do consumers perceive Ukrainian products?
It's okay. Once, before the company's rebranding,“Yukoil”and the emergence of the brand YUKO their products were confused with a Russian brand. Now, engine oils YUKO received very well. This products have stable demand.
What is the advantage of cooperating with the “Yukoil” company?
First and foremost - the absence of problems. Nobody is pouring oil on anyone's head (laughs). When it comes to batteries, a warranty is important, and with oil, it is too. It's not like when buying products YUKO, customers returned who were dissatisfied with the quality or had a “underfilled” complaint. For us, as a distributor, the assortment is also important. In “Yukoil”a much wider range than that of any other manufacturer. Another advantage is various innovative packaging: oil boxes, tubes, etc. In general, the products YUKO they are manufactured at the Zaporizhzhia plant, so there are no supply interruptions.
What are your predictions, as expertWill the preferences of Ukrainians change?
The situation is difficult right now, but the market is growing. This is due to the increasing number of used American and European cars. When buying such used cars, Ukrainian buyers feel the need for high-quality lubricants.
The consumer trends are clear. But what about your own plans?
We want to become a national company and open branches all over Ukraine. Our primary goal is to develop into our own network of auto parts stores and sell products in a new format, like a mini-service station.
What do you think is the secret to success?
Team. We have gathered the best of the best in one team. Right now, we even have a reserve of salespeople, meaning people who are ready to start working with us. We are interested in already trained personnel, but I conduct the initial training myself.
What is your life like right now, besides “Autoapteka”?
In our niche, there are no interesting YouTube bloggers. Or there are bloggers, but they talk about things in an uninteresting way. I am working to fix this – I am developing own YouTube channel. I need something new in my life. My goal is to amaze, to show the right content in the field of auto parts and repair. For this, I even studied intensively for half a year: took public speaking courses, and learned what and how needs to be done.
Aren't you afraid of criticism?
No, on the contrary—I'm even looking forward to it. If it's healthy criticism, I just adore it. Because I'm sure: you have to do things in a way that you aren't ashamed of. If the remark is made by a professional, I will listen!
According to the article material: https://economics.segodnya.ua/ua/economics/avto/avtoapteka-iz-vsego-obema-prodazh-motornogo-masla-v-nashih-marketah-produkcii-yuko-60-1518587.html
