Facts and figures
Company: Verus
Representative: Viktor Sukhinov - General Manager

Facts and figures
Company: Verus
Representative: Viktor Sukhinov - General Manager
Website: www.verus-group.ru
Number of employees: 80 employees plus about 300 drivers.
Equipment: 180 proprietary tractor units.
Work locations: We have an office in Moscow.

“What is the most exciting aspect of your job as General Manager?”
“Well, I love survival, ha ha. But my serious answer would be that I like to develop the company. Verus is continuously striving for the best growth strategies and takes decisions accordingly. I have always been in the development business." 

“It sounds like you have ambitious growth plans for the future. Can you tell us more about it?”
“We have been in existence for 2.5 years and have grown to a position where we have 180 proprietary trucks, with a break-even result in the financial year 2019. Our aim is to have at least 2,000 trucks in 3 to 4 years' time. We are in the process of finding funding and are expecting results very soon.”

“How would you describe the partnership with ICTS?”
“We have a good partnership with ICTS. Right now, we are in negotiations about several rental trailers and I hope we will be able to finalise this soon. We may decide to deepen our relationship even further, but let’s wait to mention this till the time is right, ha ha.”

“How do macro-economic aspects influence your daily business?”
“Right now, we see some economic changes and, let’s say challenges, ahead of us. For instance, in Russia, the toll on road-usage has been increased dramatically. The price of fuel has also increased and transportation taxes have been raised. We operate domestically and our cost levels have increased by 35 to 40%. It is therefore very difficult to earn any money in our sector. On the other hand, it forces Verus to be more creative and smart in reducing fixed and utilization costs, which will be beneficial in the long run.”

“How do you think our exciting transport industry will look in a couple of years’ time?”
“We are convinced that in 3 to 5 years, only 5 to 7 of the largest transport companies will survive, together with specialized niche-focused companies. The entire mid-sized range of transport companies will be gone, either taken over by the largest ones, or simply not able to continue in a financial, sustainable way.“

“Are you able to adapt your company strategy in line with the way you see our industry?”
“Yes, we have a clear strategy. Verus is one of those 5 to 7 companies that will survive and will grow. For that reason, our main focus, and especially my focus since I am in top management, is the development towards that growth. The infrastructure is already established. It’s the best part of my job, it’s very exciting.”

From left to right:
Joop Roijakkers, VP Rental ICTS
Vadim Kuznetsov, Country Manager ICTS Russia and Belarus
Svetlana Ifanova, Operations ICTS Russia and Belarus
Alexey Demyanenko, Managing partner Verus
Viktor Sukhinov, General Manager Verus
Mikhail Zaytsev, Technical Director Verus