The company ABS-auto is very well-known in Russia. The renowned automobile components dealer in the south of the country has been trading for more than 10 years and supplies workshops and specialist dealers reliably with high-quality spare parts for passenger cars that conform to the highest European standards – such as engine components and filters from MAHLE. We have met up with the founder, General Manager Konstantin Aslanidis, in order to find out more about this extremely active and expansive company – and, perhaps, even to get behind the secrets of its success.
 | Konstantin Aslanidis,
General Manager ABS-auto in Russia |
MAHLE Aftermarket news: Mr. Aslanidis, what are the basic principles that guide you in your work? Or, let me rephrase this: what is the key to your success?
Konstantin Aslanidis: Well, on the one hand we see our success in the quality of our products – and in the professionalism of our staff on the other. A look at our product range shows only such product lines that are supplied by motor vehicle suppliers to renowned vehicle manufacturers such as Mercedes, BMW or VAG – or even to the high-end sector of the motor vehicle industry: the formula 1, for which MAHLE also develops and manufactures products. We are therefore pleased to see the MAHLE logos on the formula 1 racers. On the whole, we endeavour to work only with the professionals from the automobile sector who make top quality products. We think that our success is for the most part due to this uncompromising commitment to quality.
MAHLE Aftermarket news: Please tell us a little about your expansion strategy...
Konstantin Aslanidis: The modern building complex here in Stawropol, in which we are sitting, was opened in 2007. In this complex, we offer our customers a competence centre for repair and maintenance on a total area of 5,000 m². A highly professional team represents us as one of the top companies of the country in the sector of automotive services. The site serves also as a training centre, in which various training courses and workshops are taking place. In this way, we transmit two of the most important assets of our time to our partners: information and knowledge.
MAHLE Aftermarket news: What are the problems that confront you in the market?
Konstantin Aslanidis: Let us look at it from the position of our end customers, the motorists: they are spoiled for choice and have the problem of finding the right dealer. We need to offer therefore something that is in line with economic trends and also meets the wishes of the motorists. Our company has been in the Russian spare part market for the past 13 years. During this time, we have made some bad experiences with automotive components: with the products of different manufacturers both from well known and less known brands. After the 1998 economic crisis, the demand for cheap products, even those of recognisably inferior quality, increased enormously. We could counteract this trend actively by providing professional explanation and consultation. Today we can say: the products have to meet the highest demands, function reliably, have a long service life and offer relevant product service.
MAHLE Aftermarket news: Can you give us your market forecast?
Konstantin Aslanidis: We observe a tendency towards quality and innovation – and we think that the businesses in our sector will have to take measures in order to meet the demands of their customers in this respect.
MAHLE Aftermarket news: Will you tell us about the plans of ABS-auto for the near future?
Konstantin Aslanidis: In order to expand further, we are planning to extend our technical customer service through a workshop concept and are especially interested in the location Sotschi, the venue of the Olympic Games 2014, as we see promising potentials in this region. We intend to continue expanding our sales of automotive spare parts in the Russian market. We shall start a large advertising campaign in Russia with the aim to increase customer awareness. In addition, we will be represented at the established regional and nationwide exhibitions. At the Automechanika Moscow, we will only be present as visitors – there we want to wait and see how the market is responding. This exhibition will develop most probably into a major trade fair in future, thanks to its international status and its excellent organisation.
MAHLE Aftermarket news: Do you also have a message for the readers of the MAHLE Aftermarket news?
Konstantin Aslanidis: We would like to see that all companies that are active in consultation and sales of automotive spare parts or in the repair and maintenance of vehicles can work successfully and expand their businesses. In addition, I would like to appeal to the owners and managers of these companies: “Please offer your customers quality – also in respect of your employees. Turn your attention to their development and further training. Make an extra effort to enable them to widen their technical horizon. A well trained employee is not only more committed and generates better sales – he or she has also a significant effect on the company image as seen by partners and customers and contributes therefore to the success of the company in the long term.”
MAHLE Aftermarket news: Mr. Aslanidis, we thank you for this conversation – and wish you great success in the implementation of your immediate and long-term objectives.