Inmarko

Inmarko OOO was a Russian producer of ice cream and frozen foods, based in Novosibirsk. It had factories in Novosibirsk, Omsk and Tula and employed over 4,500 people. It was sold to Unilever in 2008 and ceased to exist as a separate company in 2012.
History.
The Foundation of the company.
In 1992, two entrepreneurs (Vadim Lyubimtsev and Pavel Shutov) had the idea to organize in Novosibirsk the sale of ice cream from the stalls on the streets. The idea was a success because at that time there was shortages of this product and there was not a specialized trade ice cream. Subsequently, selling ice cream tray rose to the level of big business.
In 1993, the company "Inmarko" was registered. The history of this name is unknown. In the early 1990s in Russia, it was fashionable to give companies foreign names. There are several versions of the origin of the name, according to one of the founders, the name was born in one of the feasts. Now the name commonly called as "Investment marketing company".
Inmarko company-distributor.
The first time the owners of the company thought about its own production. At first, they sold ice cream cold storage facility in Novosibirsk, and later to cooperate with other regional producers. Selling went with 80 stalls, which were in the city. Distribution was set through personal contacts.
In 1993, the company drew attention to foreign goods, and not on the usual cups or briquettes, and sophisticated ice cream type of ice, or with chocolate-hazelnut filling. In Russia it was new, domestic cold storage facilities occupied the niche of folk cheap product. "Inmarko" imported ice cream cones & Popsicle from Poland, Denmark, England, Sweden, Spain, has worked with companies Ariel, Augusto, ISCO, Menorquina, "Frederiks". But the core range has remained Danish and Polish. Danish premium segment of the Polish economy class.
In 1994, the company purchased in Denmark the first of the freezer and moved the sale from the stalls at the stalls. To stand out, the kiosks did hex, but the stalls are of such a shape was awkward to use and was quickly abandoned.
Opening of own production.
In the mid 1990s in Russia has changed the customs fees. The situation developed in such a way that it was cheaper to open their production, than to continue to import ice from abroad.
In 1996, the village Elite of Novosibirsk region has appeared the first factory "Inmarko" with the capacity of 5 thousand tons. the factory was built by the Danes from Frisco. The products and packaging were developed by the designated unit. Advertising at that time, the company was not engaged, believing that advertising is the packaging, which stand out for their unusual bright design.
In addition to the wholesale trade and sales through kiosks, the company began to supply products to the stores. After about a year, the existing capacity of the factory was not enough. The question arose about the extension, but on the basis of the Novosibirsk enterprises it was impossible due to the limited area. In 1997 at auction Inmarko purchased state block of shares of factory in Omsk. The factory needed upgrading, the company has taken on all its profits. The upgrade worked the same experts from Denmark and Germany.
Today in Omsk the company completed the three stages of reconstruction, of potential production capacity in Omsk is 50 thousand tons.
The expansion of the company.
In 1998-1999, after the financial crisis, abandoning the Russian market of foreign manufacturers of ice cream, and their place is taken by the company Inmarko. The range of products significantly expands the company promotes its products in the Central regions. Due to the lack of production capacities and the complexity of delivery in the European part of Russia, Inmarko, the company orders at other Russian facilities, including those of competitors.
In 2002 Inmarko creates a network of official distributors in Siberia, the Urals and in the Central part of Russia. The number of kiosks in Novosibirsk and Omsk reaches 330. In the same year the company became a leader in the ice cream market in Russia sold for the year 27145 T.
In 2003, established a management company "Business development" with the aim of attracting investment. A blocking stake in the company acquired through the EBRD Norum Fund for $8 million Det Norske Veritas conducted a certification audit of the company Inmarko and received a certificate of compliance with international standards ISO 9001:2000
In 2004 the company began the conquest of the Central regions of Russia. In the first year of operation in the capital was placed about 1500 freezer chest freezers. Later in 2005 for the development of sales in the Central regions acquired Inmarko OOO "Fink", a former distributor of ice cream "Algida". As a result of this purchase the sales network of Inmarko has increased by 600 outlets. In the Moscow region, the company was faced with difficulties associated with backwardness of the market of Moscow. In the opinion of the managers of the company, now the capital market is developing at that stage, which was passed in Siberia 10 years ago.
Held placing bonded debt of 1 billion rubles. The resulting funds are directed primarily to repay commercial Bank loans and financing of investment programs. In the same year, for the first time in 12 years of existence, "Inmarko" started to advertise on national television.
In 2006 the company attempted to diversify its products and entered the frozen food market with its own brand "Have an idea". Vegetables and berries are sold under this brand was made under contract at the Polish plant Oerlemans Foods Siemiatycze. However, Inmarko has no plans to expand the sale of frozen products, considering the business is unstable and unpromising.
In 2007, the company significantly strengthened its position in the market of the European part of Russia, after acquisition of JSC "Tula " company", the Company is planning a major reconstruction of the Tula factory, putting in her $53 million, with the commissioning of the factory into operation in 2010. The planned capacity of the factory after reconstruction 45 thousand tons.
2008, Unilever officially announced the acquisition of the company "Inmarko". As a result of this agreement, the company Unilever became the sole owner "Inmarko".
On April 4, 2012, The company ceased to exist as a separate legal entity after reorganization.
Activities.
Inmarko produces ice cream and frozen foods. The product range of Inmarko has about 120 names (2005).
In 2007, revenue was $170 million.
Branches and representative offices.
In 2009 the company manufactures out of Tula and Omsk, with branches in the cities of Novosibirsk, Omsk, Krasnoyarsk, Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo, Barnaul, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Moscow, Tula.
According to the company "Business Analytics", "Inmarko" controls 11.8% of sales in natural terms in Russia (in the 16 largest cities).