Matthieu de Baynast de Septfontaines, CEO of Atalian - Takeover of Mopex is only beginning, expansion in Serbia continues

(Matthieu de Baynast de Septfontaines) Atalian, one of the largest European facility management companies has recently entered the market of Serbia by acquiring a majority stake in Belgrade-based company Mopex.
In a talk with eKapija, the chief executive officer of this French company, Matthieu de Baynast de Septfontaines, announces that Atalian has big plans for Serbia.
He says that the first step will be to diversify the operations of Mopex, as well as to introduce new services and technologies.
- The first thing we are working on, is another merger with Serbian company for technical maintenance, because our ambitions are not including just hygiene maintenance, but we also want to broaden our services to technical maintenance of the largest possible buildings, as well. Secondly, there are services of environment management (energy, water, gas) and other resources, and we’ll go one step further in that direction. Our common desire is to invest in Serbia, because the current atmosphere in the country, the contracts with the IMF, virtually zero inflation, provide great potential for further development of both us and the society in which we operate - explains Matthieu de Baynast de Septfontaines. eKapija: How did you decide on coming to Serbian market? Why did you decide on acquisition of the company "Mopex"? - For more than a year we are interested in and have been monitoring Serbian market. We were searching for the company that has the same DNA as we do, so to say, company that has a long history of doing business on Serbian market, led by experienced and renowned entrepreneur. Mopex completely suits what we’ve been looking for. Our business philosophy is identical, and I can state with pride that now, with Serbia on-board, Atalian is present in 22 countries. We also plan to develop and invest additionally in region. Until now, in Adriatic region we had 2.000 employees, with goal to increase that number to 5.000 in next three years. We have serious plans in Serbia, we will help Mopex diversify its activities, then we will approach other domestic and foreign companies. The Adriatic region will become a powerful machine, the real driver of Atalian group. eKapija: What are the most important areas of work on which you will be focused in Serbia? - Atalian Group has developed a real science of work in all its areas since 1984. We have great expertise in all our works of cleaning, primarily in organizational domain, as well as using machines and cleaning products. We are bringing all that new technology to Serbia, which will help work conditions, but also additionally raise clients’ satisfaction. All will benefit from that knowledge and services. eKapija: It has been announced that you will recapitalize "Mopex" to amount of around 450.000 euros. What will that money be spent on? - With the recently signed agreement we took over 51 per cent of stake in Mopex, and by 2020 the rest up to 80 per cent. We have same business philosophy, which has proved to be the right recipe for years, we are on the good way for generations. We will continue to invest, expanding business, and in accordance with this additionally employ people, thanks to which we are where we are now. We will continue with the training of employees, the focus will still be on them, because they are the strength of our company. eKapija: How much is the Serbian market developed and in need of the services provided by your company? - The Serbian market is very interested in this type of service, based on our research, we came to the data that only very few companies managed to cope with this challenge – to continuously provide and maintain the same level of services, and in the meantime to improve them and to grow. Look at Mopex, a family company that was founded 18 years ago by Mr. Dusan Radakovic and his wife Branka, and today with 800 employees, they are partners with Atalian. eKapija: What do you perceive as the biggest challenge in your future business in Serbia? - We already know this region well, we have been in Croatia for eight years. In that respect Serbia is already in better position, and we’re expecting much more from, especially since the market is bigger. eKapija: Tell us something more about the founding and development of Atalian company? - Atalian Group today has around 65,000 employees. We are present on three continents –Europe, South-eastern Asia and Africa. Group represents family company, led by Mr. Julien, a French entrepreneur, who has continued his grandfather’s business in a great way. He revolutionized this segment and company continued to expand. eKapija: You’ve announced Company’s global expansion by 2020? What are the goals in that regard? - Very ambitious. Our focus is to increase our international turnover from 20 to 50 per cent by 2020, and to make that happen we have to be present in 40 countries over the next seven years. Milos Vlahovic

ATALIAN Global Services France

Atalian global services - RS d.o.o. Beograd

Matthieu de Baynast de Septfontaines

Atalian

facility menagement

Mopex Belgrade

technical maintenance of facilities

Dusan Radakovic

Branka Radakovic

hygiene maintenance of facilities