Interview with Daniela Szczygieł from Pro-Bionica

Interview

Bulgaria Franchise Network: How and where started making business?

Daniela Szczygieł: Pro-Bionica was founded in 2005, in Chorzów, a city located in southern Poland. The company was established in response to a growing demand for quality and inexpensive prostheses for Polish amputees.

BFN: Why decided to start franchising?

DS: Because we think that a franchise is an good opportunity for development of our company. It is also an excellent chance to invest in a stable branch of industry, i.e. medicine. Pro-Bionica has made a success in Poland as it is innovative and competitive, and the same is possible in Bulgaria, in cooperation with a local franchisee.

BFN: How many franchises do you have?

DS: At the moment, we have no franchises.

BFN: What makes you different from other competitors?

DS: First and foremost, the prices of our products. We do not use ready-made prosthetic elements. We manufacture them from materials available on domestic market. Pro-Bionica managed to reduce the production costs by 50 %. Our competitors are unable to do it so dramatically as they buy mass-produced elements. What is more, prostheses from Pro-Bionica are innovative and of high quality. We constantly work on new technologies and patents.

BFN: Why are you interested in franchising in Bulgaria?

DS: Bulgaria is a rapidly growing and developing country. One can notice a great potential in Bulgaria’s medical market. Besides, the number of amputees who need modern and affordable prostheses is significant. Our Bulgarian franchisee could answer their need quickly and easily.

BFN: Are you planning further expansion in other countries? If yes, which?

DS: Yes, we are planning a further expansion. We would like to have franchises in several Balkan countries and in the Middle East.

BFN: What are your expansion plans in Bulgaria?

DS: We are planning to establish a prostheses manufacturing plant and a prostheses fitting centre. We are open to new ideas and market demands.

BFN: What’s the profile of the franchisee/Master Franchisor are you looking for?

DS: It would be good if we found a franchisee already acquainted with the medical market. However it is not required as we are going to train the franchisee in our strategies.

BFN: In this economic crisis, what are the main advantages of a franchise like yours?

DS: Our franchise is a proven concept. Pro-Bionica Europe operates in one of the most stable branches of medicine, i.e. prosthetics. There will always be people who need prostheses. It is safe to invest in this franchise, as different government offices, insurance companies and NGOs subsidize prosthetics. In Poland, the investment paid for itself in 18 months and until now it has been producing a high profit margin.

I warmly invite all who are interested in investments in medicine to contact our office.

For more information about franchising in Bulgaria with Pro-Bionica, take a look here.

Franchises in Bulgaria: the report

Here you can find the most complete documentation about franchising in Bulgaria. 

• The first franchises appeared in Bulgaria in the 70s, but was in the mid-90s when the industry began to develop more strongly.
• Today, franchising is becoming the trend in some sectors, such as in the real estate agencies.
• In many sectors are already present major franchises (or chains that do not use franchise) international, which has not avoid the continued existence of some fairly strong local franchises.
• Despite the above, a large portion of the population is still unaware of this system, in part because of the limited information available.
• The franchising information is scarce and is highly fragmented. The data offered by the Bulgarian Association of Franchises (BULFA) are not very up-to-date and there is an Internet portal or a magazine specializing in the style of other countries that combine a reliable register of the master franchise available in the country.
• BULFA is undertaking initiatives in this direction, but there are still significant efforts to   do, therefore, there is a market for niche publications, consulting firms and Internet portals interested in getting a development of the franchise save to a level closest to that of other European countries.
• A large part of the master franchise is in the hands of Greek companies.
• The attraction of Bulgaria has increased a lot with its entry into the European Union, which attracted more investment and franchising. In the next few years will continue installing important chains of the most renowned brands.

First Part: Coffeehouses

 

Second Part: Fast Food

 

Third Part: Commerce

 

Fourth Part: Services

Franchising in Bulgaria: The Guide

In this section you will find “Franching in Bulgaria: the Guide”, a complete review about the franchises present in Bulgaria, ordered by industry.

 

Image: Jepoirrier