Sama forecasts 4.3m-euro turnover

Sama Service, Bucharest’s largest network specialising in the service of car wheels, estimates turnover worth 4.3 million euros for this year, up 40% on 2006.
“We have several reasons to believe our turnover will increase at a similar pace as last year, due to an increase in the number of corporate entities that own large car fleets, as well as a constant increase in the number of clients choosing our services,” stated Florin Ion, general manager of the company.
In 2006, the company’s turnover stood at 3.1 million euros, an increase of almost 40% against the previous year. Financial results were below expectations, with initial turnover estimates pointing to 3.5 million euros. However, gross profit saw an upward trend and exceeded forecasts by some 50% reaching 500,000 euros.
“In 2006, the turnover growth was sustained by the opening of a new service centre, which exceeded 60% of the turnover estimated for that year,” Florin Ion stated.
The Sama chain operates 5 servicing centres in Bucharest and one in Craiova, a network of partner centres in all county capitals and two mobile servicing centres in the Capital. In order to expand the national coverage of the network, Sama officials chose to franchise the brand, making this the only franchise on the car servicing market.
The value of the land and the construction costs not included, investments in a franchised Sama servicing centre revolve around 25,000 euros, in the case of a smaller-size servicing centre, with an at least 200sqm area, according to company representatives.
The company’s investment budget for 2007 amounts to 300,000 euros and mainly targets the modernisation of its headquarters. The investments also target the purchasing of equipment for the servicing centre, which will be expanded by utilising 600 square metres housing 4 vulcanisation platforms, 3 platforms for mechanical and tuning activities, 1 platform for computerised geometry, 1 platform for regular technical inspections, 1 platform for mechanical activities, a warehouse and also a waiting room for customers.