Ahmed Bečić: The Xylon brand is recognized as a synonym for quality in Western Europe

In the following lines, we present an interview with Ahmed Bečić, director of Xylon Corporation d.o.o. a renowned manufacturer of massive oak floors. They offer a wide range of floor coverings to suit different needs and styles. The offer includes a solid floor made of high-quality hard and soft wood. About that, but also about other items of the company Xylon Corporation d.o.o. we talked to the management with Mr. Bečić.

To begin with, tell us who is Ahmed Bečić, director of Xylon Corporation d.o.o.?

As the director of Xylon Corporation d.o.o., a renowned manufacturer of massive oak floors, my experience includes more than ten years of work, and slightly more than eight years in this company. My professional path started in the finance department, progressing to the position of CFO and culminating in being a finalist for CFO of the year 2022 in the selection of Deloitte. I am passionate about meeting the challenges of flooring manufacturing while enjoying connecting with people. I am firmly committed to clearly articulating my opinions and views. In both personal and business interactions, I highly value self-direction, persistence, reliability and benevolence. As a leader, I prioritize social interaction, recognizing employees and encouraging their growth as key aspects of company development.

Tell us more about the company and how it all started?

Considering the enormous natural resources of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Swedish investor PLENA group decided to invest in the wood industry. The first step was to take over a sawmill near Sarajevo, which was the ticket to the world of wood industry. With significant financial investments and exceptional dedication, an ordinary sawmill has transformed into a strong producer of solid oak flooring and parquet. At this crucial moment, a new identity was born – Xylon. The name comes from the Greek word for "tree", which perfectly describes the essence of the company's business. Xylon quickly became recognized for its high product quality and commitment to sustainable business.

Xylon is a leading manufacturer of high-quality floor coverings, specializing in the production of solid floors made of several types of wood. What are the main types of flooring that your company produces and what are their characteristics?

We offer a wide range of floor coverings to suit different needs and styles. Our offer includes solid flooring made of high-quality hardwood and softwood. This type of flooring is our core business, and we are extremely proud of the quality of this product. The solid oak floor exudes elegance, quality and is a product without any additional additives, glue, plastic... Adapting to different needs and trends, the engineered oak floor, which represents a combination of natural wood and technical innovations, can be chosen with the same surface treatment as the solid oak floor. This is a great advantage that investors recognize because they can choose different products with the same surface treatment in their facilities. For those looking for durability and practicality or business premises, we offer vinyl floor coverings in wood and stone decors. We also offer outdoor solutions including wooden and WPC decking. In addition to the above, we also have exotic species that are not common in our market and we are the only ones who can offer floors and decking garapa, cumaru, masaranduba, ipe, palisander, curupau, momoqui and many others. Simply, you can find everything you need in our showroom in Podlugovi.

The company Xylon is a successful exporter. Tell us more.

Xylon is proud of its status as a successful exporter, and our presence in the international market plays a key role in our business. Through well-organized logistics, Xylon quickly and efficiently delivers its products to the countries of the former Yugoslavia and Western Europe, while globally exporting to Asia, Africa and America. Different markets bring with them different requirements and preferences, and Xylon meets this challenge by adapting its products to the specific needs of each market.

What is the BiH market like, how satisfied are you with business?

The Xylon brand is recognized as a synonym for quality in Western Europe, but on a local level (EX YU) less so due to our orientation towards the European market. In the next two years, we are planning a much stronger presence on the domestic (EX YU) market so that domestic investors can more easily get the best quality floor coverings in Europe, and to position ourselves where we belong on the domestic market, at the very top. In previous years, we had cooperation with several business partners and investors who returned to us again and again, satisfied with the quality and service. We have a large number of projects in Sarajevo and its surroundings, and our goal is to appear in other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we are close to establishing partnership relations with some companies in Banja Luka and Herzegovina.

How much do companies invest in marketing activities and how do you see that segment?

Xylon recognizes the critical role of marketing and we focus on creating strong brand awareness and maintaining strong customer relationships through a variety of marketing strategies. Through a carefully crafted content strategy, Xylon not only captures the attention of consumers but also builds a reputation as an expert in the flooring industry. We actively use digital platforms, we publish educational articles, videos and other types of content that help our customers to better understand our products and find a solution for their needs. On the DACH market, we created a B2B webshop that allows customers to order faster, easier and see the real thus stocks located in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the coming months, we plan to go live web shop for the area of BIH, and later also EX YU.

How does the company maintain a high standard of quality for its products and what are the key factors that contribute to your success in the market?

We are committed to providing products that not only meet, but exceed the expectations of our customers. We are convinced that a quality product starts with quality raw materials, and our expertise in the selection of materials ensures the durability and exceptional durability of our floors. Also, every step in the production process is subject to careful supervision and rigorous quality control procedures. The most important of all is our relationship with customers and regular communication - we receive feedback from our customers and suggestions for improving our products and services.

Who makes up the company team, how important is teamwork?

Our team is made up of a diverse group of individuals, each with their own unique experience and perspective, making our company dynamic and innovative. Every employee is an important member of the team, and communication with them is not only open, but encouraged. Employees have the opportunity to express their opinion and give feedback on the work environment and processes in order to improve the business. It is particularly important to emphasize internal development in Xylon. The example of the path from the accounting position to the general director clearly shows the company's commitment to internal growth and leadership development. Xylon is not only a place of work, but a community that supports the career path of each employee.

Do you have any novelties that you are preparing?

We are not only manufacturers of floor coverings, we are innovators who tirelessly follow trends and are always thinking of new ways to bring our products closer to customers. But it's not enough to just follow trends - we shape them. Through continuous research and development, we set new standards in the flooring industry. We respect the needs and wishes of our customers and always strive to provide a personalized experience.

What are the biggest challenges you face?

In the wood industry sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the key problem is the provision of raw materials. The lack of laws on forests at the state level, in addition to the fact that each canton in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has its own public company with its own specific regulations on the allocation of wood assortments, results in a lack of guaranteed quantities of raw materials for the industry. Although there is enough oak raw material in the country, it often ends up in companies connected to the government or forestry directors. The industry faces obstacles and challenges because it does not get the required quantities, often having to buy from middlemen. Solving the problem through the regulation of forest laws is relatively simple, regulations similar to those in neighboring countries, such as Croatia, which has achieved success on the European market by applying forestry prices, could be adopted. This would boost competitiveness and attract foreign investment to the wood industry sector. In addition to problems with raw materials, the industry is also facing a drop in demand on the European market, especially in Germany, which is the main market for products from Bosnia and Herzegovina. A quick response to that crisis includes greater market diversification, which was started last year.

Finally, do you have any message for our readers.

We are aware that customer loyalty and a positive reputation play a key role in maintaining business stability. In this sense, we maintain high quality standards, believing that they are the key to long-term success. We invite you to visit us and see for yourself the quality of our products, and the sales department has prepared special offers only for the local market.

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