BUSINESS CHALLENGE

Grosfillex was renting a factory in the Moscow region.  The company wanted to modernize the factory with imported equipment. But to import equipment, Grosfillex needed certificates from Russian government authorities to show that Russian standards were respected. Although Grosfillex had been selling its products in Russia since 1991, the process they needed to follow was not clear. They did not master the complexities of the application process, making it difficult to get necessary approvals. At the same time, the Moscow factory was inactive and was costing them money.

SOLUTION

Bureau Veritas was chosen for its success in dealing with Russian authorities. Its Russian based experts include bilingual specialists who know and understand how the approval authorities work. For the Grosfillex case, the Bureau Veritas team recommended a creative strategy: instead of aiming to get certificates for each piece of equipment, they would apply for certificates to cover three entire factory processes: extrusion, wrapping and printing.

There were many details to check. Each process needed to be explained step by step. Technical documents were collected from the French exporter, descriptions in transport documents had to match precisely all descriptions in the dossier. Grosfillex also had to prove financial transparency, and show where the investment money came from. The transport company was closely involved in order to avoid any problems.

At last, when all elements were collected and organized in a clear way, the dossier was presented. An application that combined three processes made it simpler to get approval. Within about two weeks, certificates were given to cover the three processes as one single contract. The certificates included 4 Hygiene Certificates and 2 GOST R certificates. These would continue to be valid as long as the factory lines did not change. Approval was given by two official bodies: one covering the technical side, the other looking after public health. Bureau Veritas had helped make the process as quick, simple and painless as possible, and Grosfillex was finally allowed to operate.

BENEFITS

For Grosfillex, the approval was very important. More than a legal obligation, it was a licence to operate. By working with Bureau Veritas, they got through the complex process of approval by Russian authorities. They managed to do it in a simple way and avoided expensive delays. After preparation work, the factory was modernized and production could start in 2006. Grosfillex predicts that its Moscow factory will be an important profit center, to serve its markets in Russia and Eastern Europe. Return on investment is expected to be very quick.