The Romanian business is currently being run by two Czech managers, one of which is Koukol Indra, Director for Romania of the Antrefrig brand, said sources close to the company. “Replacements for Kowalski and Martin Ducha will not be brought in before the end of the year. There have been several employment interviews, where only Romanian applicants presented themselves for the position of Commercial Manager,” according to a declaration for Business Standard by sources close to the company. These added that the most “unfortunate” loss to the company is the Slovak Martin Ducha, who served as Commercial Manager for some three years. “Martin Ducha resigned on the very same day as the former General Manager Robert Kowalski, indicating that he will be taking care of personal, family business,” added the quoted sources.

Robert Kowalski, a Pole, who resigned less than three months after taking over the management of Hame, also quoted personal reasons for leaving.

The tinned meat market is worth over €60 million, according to producers, with main competitors on the liver pate market Scandia Sibiu, Orkla Foods, Hame and Mandy Foods.

Hame Romania, subsidiary of the Czech Hame group, was taken over this year from the Nordic Partners investment fund, and posted turnover in 2007 worth RON 27.5 million (€8.2 million), up some 6.5 percent year-on-year. Net profit last year was RON 215,000 (€61,000), according to official data provided to the Ministry of Finance by the company.