We present to you another one of our dozens of project partners, the family company “INCH-FRIGO EOOD”, established in 1997. From the very beginning, its activity has been related to the installation of refrigeration equipment – construction of refrigerating chambers, production and installation of refrigerating systems. And their mission is to help farmers and traders to keep fruits and vegetables longer than the usual time in refrigerators.

After a conversation with Nikolay Chalakov, manager of INCH-FRIGO Ltd:

1. Why is it important for every company to look for diversity in its team and strive to be free of ethnic or other prejudices?

Humans are first and foremost human beings and in that sense they are born equal. Prejudices are highly disadvantageous because they categorize people based on opinions and attitudes. As it is known, people are unique for themselves, and although the environment in which they live can form certain habits and attitudes, this is not necessarily an undesirable phenomenon. It is also known that people change and falling into an environment of support, care and understanding can develop their human potential.

2. What do employers most often fear that stops them from being more “open” to differences between cultures and people?

Fear of the unknown. Also, that they themselves do not have the will and patience to create a company culture that promotes change in people in the direction of the desired mentality.

3. Should the search for diversity in the team become a leading business priority of more Bulgarian companies and what are the advantages?

Seeking diversity in a team is a challenging task, especially when there are established norms and patterns of behavior for years. This does not mean that we should be conservative in our approach to renewal and refreshment. I firmly believe that diversity and innovation go hand in hand, and who doesn’t want to be innovative, especially when the existence of businesses today depends on it.

4. How does your company approach diversity in teams – what difficulties do you face, if you can give specific examples, and how much of your team is ethnically diverse, for example?

15% of our employees are of Roma origin. We have had interns from Yemen. Not a few ladies have passed through the company, despite the “male” craft that we have been practicing for 25 years. I think that we have unequivocally proven how much we value diversity.

5. Are you having difficulty recruiting people?

Yes.

6. Does your management team undergo training to reduce prejudice?

Our team has not yet received specialized training in prejudice.

7. Could you give other examples of social responsibility that your company develops or you specifically?

Volunteering – donating blood, participating in cleaning projects, supporting Professional high school of food technology and technique and University of Food Technology Plovdiv. Support in the construction of refrigeration installations of the Bulgarian Food Bank, etc.

8. Valuable lessons and advice from your activity in this direction?

There is a need to talk in this direction, to share more, as well as to have more business-oriented events.

9. Do you think that you and other companies should advocate for more diversity in companies?

Yes. Definitely. This is the way. And I think our company is one of the examples of diversity in a corporate environment.