A little basic information about Dimex. There are 70 of us Dimex employees in total, a third of whom are in Leppävirta and the rest in Rapla, Estonia. Our turnover in 2008 was just over 8 million euros. Sales and production are in both Finland and Estonia.
The message and the state of mind sometimes want to be sad and negative. However, my basic idea is that joys and sorrows are part of life. They are lived. It doesn't change moving forward.
Towards the end of last year, we began to understand that this was not a small dip in the economy, but something more serious. The first thing that came to mind was the work we had done earlier, with which we had strengthened Dimex. Now it was time for new actions. This time too, we immediately increased the number of sales achievements. We adjusted production to sales, for example by terminating two subcontracting agreements in Estonia. Here in Leppävirta, people work a shortened workweek. So far, we have managed to implement this by, for example, changing holiday pay to free and changing the performance-based pay achieved last year from euros to holiday days. We cut our own monthly salaries, as entrepreneurs, a year ago. In addition, we are seeking external help to streamline operations. We need this for renewal and change. We have always felt that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. I also emphasize this to employees.
People are asking when the situation will be over? Are the measures sufficient? It is impossible to answer these. The outlook is unclear. I am sure that the world, especially Finland and especially Dimex, will get through this. We all hope that with as little damage as possible.
In this time, there are big changes happening in the way companies operate. This will affect us all. The change is continuous and it is intensifying. That was the case last time too. Those who can change will do best.
We must live in the present. At the same time, we must look to and prepare for the future. There is always opportunity. We must learn from the past.
In the next blog I will focus on the Finland-Sweden international match.
Best regards,
Jukka Krogerus
PS. Thanks for the great feedback. I hope for more.
jukka.krogerus@dimex.fi