Compilator - one of Europe's fastest growing companies
Interview with Anders Paulcén, CEO and founder of Compilator
Anders Paulcén founded Compilator in the mid nineties. From the beginning, he focused on making DäckData the market leader among tire applications.
“We saw that there was a need for a computer system that was completely developed for the way the tire business works," Anders says. “As a shop assistant, you shouldn't have to adjust to the computer; the application should be adjusted to how you work at the garage. With that philosophy in mind, we aimed to become the biggest in Sweden.”
Bigger and bigger clients
It wasn't many years until DäckData had conquered the Swedish market. The clientele grew and gradually came to include even the big chains.
“When the big chains started showing an interest in the application, we partly changed our strategy," Anders continues. “The chains demanded functions such as joint invoicing via the head office, stockroom replication, a central article register and so forth. Our strength was that we had by far the best system on the garage level. It was important to us that the application shouldn't become too complicated for the individual shop assistant but continue to be quick and easy to use. By introducing several versions, we have made DäckData scalable so that every client can have the functions they require.”
“Another important success factor is that our philosophy is to tie the whole business together. The direct connection that DäckData has to supplier price lists and stocks is unique, not only to Sweden but to most countries in Europe.”
International expansion
Sweden soon proved not to be the only country interested in efficient tire systems.
“We have managed to introduce DäckData in both Norway and Finland. The application stands up very well to international competition, and in the long run we count on introducing the application in more countries. At the moment, though, we are focusing heavily on the Nordic market. We have employed multilingual staff to be able to offer good support in the client's native language, and today we offer the application in Swedish, English, Danish, Norwegian and Finnish."
Fast Growth
The rapid expansion combined with good profitability resulted in Compilator being noticed when the fastest growing technology companies in Europe were to be chosen. European Technology Fast 500 is an objective ranking where Compilator has been selected along with well known names such as Sigma, Song Networks, Tele2, and Getinge. Among the Swedish companies, Compilator was number 17 on the list, and compared to companies in all of Europe, Compilator was the 210th fastest growing company.
“At the moment, we are focusing heavily on the Nordic market. We have employed multilingual staff to be able to offer good support in the client's native language, and today we offer the application in Swedish, English, Danish, Norwegian and Finnish."
“We are concentrating on further expansion within the near future. Not just internationally, but also within Sweden. We have recently had new customers from the car dealing business, a business that works with tires a lot."
“We have worked hard to reach the position we have today, and our ambition is to continue as the leading company developing business systems for the tire business”, Anders concludes.