The future of our company is tied to innovation and export - Alexey Katsanov, CEO of the Imperial Corporation

Alexey, can you tell us about the establishment of your company?

—    Our company was founded in 1991, and since then, we have been supplying powdered milk to the food industry. Over the years, we have become one of the leading companies in this sector in Russia. In recent years, we have been actively developing our export business. In 2024, we had 18 business trips to various countries, such as Algeria, Tunisia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. Export has become an important direction for us, and we are confident that this part of the business will continue to grow in the future.

What unique products do you offer to your customers?

—    One of the key products we produce is granulated powdered milk. This is a unique product, with no analogs in the post-Soviet countries. Granulated milk has much higher quality and better solubility, making it convenient to use in food industry. In the future, we plan to expand our product range and begin producing milk concentrates and milk-fat concentrates – products that are in high demand on global markets today.

What are the main challenges you face in international markets?

— The global dairy market is huge and still growing. At the same time, competition on this market is very strong, as many large players have been working with their customers for decades. We have to work hard and diligently to earn customers’ trust. We are confident that — over time, surely not immediately — we will secure long-term contracts and establish strong business relationships with our partners.

What are your plans for expanding your product range?

— We strive to offer not only traditional dairy products but also innovative solutions such as milk concentrates and milk-fat concentrates. These products are becoming more and more in demand in international markets, and we are confident that our production will meet global standards and trends.

How does the company control the quality of its products?

— Quality is our top priority. We understand that our customers are focused on long-term relationships and high-quality products. Our standards meet all global requirements, and we are constantly working to improve our production processes. We are confident that our quality meets the highest global standards.

What global trends in the dairy industry do you consider important?

— The global dairy industry continues to develop, and dairy product consumption is growing every year. This is especially true for powdered milk and milk concentrates, high-value-added products. It is important for a company to respond quickly to changes and implement innovations. We strive to stay up to date with global trends and always look for new ways to improve our products.

Are you planning to localize production in other countries?

— Yes, we have such plans. We see that demand for local products is growing in international markets. In the next few years, we plan to localize production in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and the UAE. This requires significant investment and time, but we are confident that this step will help us strengthen our positions in these markets. We see that consumers want products to be made by local companies, and we are ready to meet this demand.

What events are you planning to promote your brand?

— We actively participate in international exhibitions and business missions, which allows us not only to strengthen our positions in the markets but also to expand business connections. In the coming years, we also plan to participate in leading industry events in the dairy sector, which will help us understand current trends and develop our company according to global trends. We continue to actively promote our brands, especially in the Gulf markets, and believe that participating in such events will contribute to our development.

What corporate governance principles do you consider key for your company?

— For us, it is important to have a focus on goals, discipline, integrity, and constant striving for improvement. We understand that the world is changing quickly, and to be successful, we need to always move forward, get better, and follow global trends. We try to implement these principles not only in the daily operations of the company but also in strategic management.

What can you say about your plans for the coming years?

— We are confident that the future of our company is tied to innovation and export. In the next few years, we will continue to expand our product range, introduce new technologies, and strengthen our positions in international markets. We plan to localize production in other countries, participate in key exhibitions and business missions, and develop new products that will be in demand on the global market.

The Imperial Corporation continues to actively develop exports, introduce innovations, and focus on the needs of global markets. By maintaining a high level of product quality, it is confidently moving forward, strengthening its positions both in Russia and internationally.