28 / 06
Success stories with DAMU Logistics: the path of growth and development
We continue the series of interviews “Success stories” with the heads of departments of DAMU Logistics industrial and logistic center. Today’s conversation was held with Gulmira Kurakbaeva, the head of the DAMU Logistics industrial group.
Gulmira Kurakbaeva is one of those who started their career in the First Private Industrial and Logistics Zone of the Republic of Kazakhstan “DAMU” from an internship. Thanks to her determination, commitment to the company's values, motivation and self-education, she has worked her way up from an ordinary employee to one of the company leaders.
- Gulmira, tell us about your career in DAMU Logistics. How long have you been working for the company, from what job position did you start and what is your job now, how are your working days going?
- ЯI started my career in DAMU Logistics as a trainee 10 years ago. After a month and a half of my internship, I was hired as an assistant sales manager. Like all managers, I started with the cold calling of the customer database. This is a difficult task for any unprepared person, and from my experience, I can say that this is an activity that helps to leave your comfort zone and find yourself. Thanks to this work, I have acquired very important skills: the basics of negotiations, stress resistance, and sociability. At first, I was afraid of negotiating and meeting people on the phone, but later I quickly mastered the sales techniques. A year and a half later, I headed the DAMU Logistics industrial group. The industrial group is the department that searches for and attracts potential investors to the vacant industrial sites of the DAMU Industrial Park. Later, investors become our resident partners. Every day we handle various requests from our customers.
- You have told about the investors who are your potential partners. What ambitious goals have you managed to achieve, what do you plan?
We planned to sell vacant industrial sites to large manufacturing companies. We have signed contracts with such famous international brands as Volvo Group Kazakstan, Wilo Central Asia, Herbion (Universal Pharmacy LLP), Universal Machinery Group, and others. Currently, there are few plots left for sale. We have also expanded our territory to 230 hectares for new projects.
In fact, there are a lot of plans. Now I am participating in the launch of a new project for the creation of a large logistics hub in Almaty region called QAZCON HUB. This is also one of the ambitious projects that we will certainly implement successfully. .
As part of the concept, we consider the development of a hub on a land plot with a total area of 142 hectares located in the Talgar district of Almaty region. We plan to allocate 15 hectares for the building of a container hub and sell the rest 127 hectares to investors for various projects.
Besides, we have a facility in Nur-Sultan, a land plot with a total area of 53 hectares where the building a trade and logistics and wholesale distribution hub is planned.
- You mentioned well-known international companies as your partners. What advantages does the DAMU Logistics industrial and logistics center provide to its resident partners?
DAMU Logistics industrial and logistics center provides opportunities for everyone. The advantage for investors is the presence of all utility components (electricity, water pipeline, central sewerage, gas pipeline), dead-end track, customs zone and temporary storage warehouse, as well as full logistic support. Each resident of the industrial park may get free access to all utilities, build a facility in a short period, and start production.
- And what, in your opinion, does working for DAMU Logistics give to you and to all Kazakhstanis?
The company is growing and developing steadily. For me, this is an opportunity to feel confident about the future in our unstable time. During my work at DAMU Logistics, I have achieved certain success in my career. I am happy to have the support of the company and the team, which is quite important. Of course, I love my job, and I am glad to start every day here. Therefore, I take only a good mood and positive emotions to work. .
For Kazakhstanis, our industrial and logistics center is a strategic facility. This is also a social mission, as we provide jobs for more than 3 thousand Kazakhstanis. Food, medicines, and essential goods are produced and stored in the park territory. During the pandemic, in order to provide the population with food, medicines and essential goods, we and our partners did not stop our operations. Stabilization warehouses were opened at our logistics park.
We recruit new employees and trainees from among the graduates of various universities from time to time. We train them ourselves. They learn to conduct tours and presentations and acquire skills in business correspondence and negotiating with clients.
Our park contributes to the economic development of the country by attracting foreign investment. We help the development of entrepreneurship in general.
- What is your role and the role of the industrial group in the chain of business processes of the entire company? What units of DAMU Logistics do you cooperate with?
I think that the industrial group plays a big role in our company, as it is we who attract our resident partners. Thereby we increase the number of jobs and create additional resources.
When handling the request from the clients, we cooperate closely with the technical department on the issue of connecting utilities and obtaining permits, with the asset management department on the issues of land segmentation, as well as the finance and legal units. As a rule, our clients always have very interesting projects, and we try to be engaged in them as much as possible..
- Gulmira, tell us about the team of the industrial group. How many employees are there in the department, and what do you value in each specialist?
My department consists of five people. In my opinion, they all are professionals. We have a close-knit team, and, in general, the employees of DAMU Logistics are friendly and helpful. Together we contribute to the improvement of each other's personal and professional qualities. It is very important for maintaining both the corporate atmosphere and the further growth and development of the company. I value my work for a professional friendly team that allows achieving high results.
- Do you consider yourself a successful person? What role does DAMU Logistics play in it?
Yes, I think I am a successful person, and I am very grateful to my company. I learned a lot here. I joined its team as a trainee and then started as an ordinary employee. Later, I became responsible for the entire sales department. This is both a great responsibility and a great motivation. And I am sure that I will be able to achieve even greater success.
-What advice can you give to the young professionals who are thinking now about their careers?
My advice to young professionals is never to be afraid. You always need to move forward and achieve goals. If you don’t succeed, this is a reason for growth and improvement. We have to try again and again. DAMU Logistics is a great place to start your career. I can say for sure that DAMU Logistics is a path that leads only upwards for those who want it and are ready to make any effort to grow!
Gulmira Kurakbaeva is one of those who started their career in the First Private Industrial and Logistics Zone of the Republic of Kazakhstan “DAMU” from an internship. Thanks to her determination, commitment to the company's values, motivation and self-education, she has worked her way up from an ordinary employee to one of the company leaders.
- Gulmira, tell us about your career in DAMU Logistics. How long have you been working for the company, from what job position did you start and what is your job now, how are your working days going?
- ЯI started my career in DAMU Logistics as a trainee 10 years ago. After a month and a half of my internship, I was hired as an assistant sales manager. Like all managers, I started with the cold calling of the customer database. This is a difficult task for any unprepared person, and from my experience, I can say that this is an activity that helps to leave your comfort zone and find yourself. Thanks to this work, I have acquired very important skills: the basics of negotiations, stress resistance, and sociability. At first, I was afraid of negotiating and meeting people on the phone, but later I quickly mastered the sales techniques. A year and a half later, I headed the DAMU Logistics industrial group. The industrial group is the department that searches for and attracts potential investors to the vacant industrial sites of the DAMU Industrial Park. Later, investors become our resident partners. Every day we handle various requests from our customers.
- You have told about the investors who are your potential partners. What ambitious goals have you managed to achieve, what do you plan?
We planned to sell vacant industrial sites to large manufacturing companies. We have signed contracts with such famous international brands as Volvo Group Kazakstan, Wilo Central Asia, Herbion (Universal Pharmacy LLP), Universal Machinery Group, and others. Currently, there are few plots left for sale. We have also expanded our territory to 230 hectares for new projects.
In fact, there are a lot of plans. Now I am participating in the launch of a new project for the creation of a large logistics hub in Almaty region called QAZCON HUB. This is also one of the ambitious projects that we will certainly implement successfully. .
As part of the concept, we consider the development of a hub on a land plot with a total area of 142 hectares located in the Talgar district of Almaty region. We plan to allocate 15 hectares for the building of a container hub and sell the rest 127 hectares to investors for various projects.
Besides, we have a facility in Nur-Sultan, a land plot with a total area of 53 hectares where the building a trade and logistics and wholesale distribution hub is planned.
- You mentioned well-known international companies as your partners. What advantages does the DAMU Logistics industrial and logistics center provide to its resident partners?
DAMU Logistics industrial and logistics center provides opportunities for everyone. The advantage for investors is the presence of all utility components (electricity, water pipeline, central sewerage, gas pipeline), dead-end track, customs zone and temporary storage warehouse, as well as full logistic support. Each resident of the industrial park may get free access to all utilities, build a facility in a short period, and start production.
- And what, in your opinion, does working for DAMU Logistics give to you and to all Kazakhstanis?
The company is growing and developing steadily. For me, this is an opportunity to feel confident about the future in our unstable time. During my work at DAMU Logistics, I have achieved certain success in my career. I am happy to have the support of the company and the team, which is quite important. Of course, I love my job, and I am glad to start every day here. Therefore, I take only a good mood and positive emotions to work. .
For Kazakhstanis, our industrial and logistics center is a strategic facility. This is also a social mission, as we provide jobs for more than 3 thousand Kazakhstanis. Food, medicines, and essential goods are produced and stored in the park territory. During the pandemic, in order to provide the population with food, medicines and essential goods, we and our partners did not stop our operations. Stabilization warehouses were opened at our logistics park.
We recruit new employees and trainees from among the graduates of various universities from time to time. We train them ourselves. They learn to conduct tours and presentations and acquire skills in business correspondence and negotiating with clients.
Our park contributes to the economic development of the country by attracting foreign investment. We help the development of entrepreneurship in general.
- What is your role and the role of the industrial group in the chain of business processes of the entire company? What units of DAMU Logistics do you cooperate with?
I think that the industrial group plays a big role in our company, as it is we who attract our resident partners. Thereby we increase the number of jobs and create additional resources.
When handling the request from the clients, we cooperate closely with the technical department on the issue of connecting utilities and obtaining permits, with the asset management department on the issues of land segmentation, as well as the finance and legal units. As a rule, our clients always have very interesting projects, and we try to be engaged in them as much as possible..
- Gulmira, tell us about the team of the industrial group. How many employees are there in the department, and what do you value in each specialist?
My department consists of five people. In my opinion, they all are professionals. We have a close-knit team, and, in general, the employees of DAMU Logistics are friendly and helpful. Together we contribute to the improvement of each other's personal and professional qualities. It is very important for maintaining both the corporate atmosphere and the further growth and development of the company. I value my work for a professional friendly team that allows achieving high results.
- Do you consider yourself a successful person? What role does DAMU Logistics play in it?
Yes, I think I am a successful person, and I am very grateful to my company. I learned a lot here. I joined its team as a trainee and then started as an ordinary employee. Later, I became responsible for the entire sales department. This is both a great responsibility and a great motivation. And I am sure that I will be able to achieve even greater success.
-What advice can you give to the young professionals who are thinking now about their careers?
My advice to young professionals is never to be afraid. You always need to move forward and achieve goals. If you don’t succeed, this is a reason for growth and improvement. We have to try again and again. DAMU Logistics is a great place to start your career. I can say for sure that DAMU Logistics is a path that leads only upwards for those who want it and are ready to make any effort to grow!
