Episode 104: Ronan Haslette - Succession Planning and Sustainability: Merenda’s Visionary Outlook

AIBF Business Talk

"Succession Planning and Sustainability: Merenda's Visionary Outlook"
In this week's AIBF Business Talk podcast, Ronan Haslette, the MD of Merenda, shares valuable business insights, showcasing Merenda's journey of resilience, adaptation, and unwavering dedication to serving customers with excellence. 🎙️

Merenda, a family business in North Leitrim, has dedicated nearly four decades to crafting top-tier wood veneer components for global furniture manufacturers, serving customers in 12+ countries. 🌍

Their enduring success stems from a steadfast customer-centric approach, adaptability in a changing world, and impressive global reach. Importing 95% of raw materials while exporting 80% of finished products demonstrates their global impact. 🚢🌟

Efficiency and innovation are the bedrock of their accomplishments. They continually refine systems and embrace continuous improvement to serve clients better. Extracting unique customer value propositions through comprehensive interviews is a vital skill. 🚀🔍

Merenda's successful international journey began in the '90s, expanding from Ireland to the UK, US, Middle East, and Australasia. Their ability to truly grasp and cater to customer specifications has been a pivotal factor in their international growth 🌏💼

Challenges, including logistics, documentation, and language, became valuable learning experiences. Ronan emphasises the importance of clear communication, with only 30% of emails being genuinely understood. 📧

A pivotal moment was during a recession when Merenda realised inefficient processes were costing them. They embarked on a journey of continuous improvement, seeking lean solutions with the guidance of Enterprise Ireland. By setting a target of 1% continuous improvement, they've made over 200 internal changes, fostering a culture of improvement and alignment. 📈💡

Explaining the "why" to the team is crucial for shared understanding and a customer-centric mission.

Merenda's transition from one generation to the next has been managed meticulously, with Ronan Haslette earning a Master's degree in Business Administration and Business Management, focusing on family business governance and succession planning. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑📚

Looking ahead, Merenda aims to ascend the value chain, prioritising sustainability, and energy efficiency. They're on a mission to attain a five-star energy rating, promoting wood veneer as a sustainable resource for various projects. 🌳💡

Join Ronan Haslette for brilliant business insights on this podcast. 🎧 Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Merenda's remarkable journey. 🌟

The AIBF accredits the Business All-Star mark to Best-In-Class Irish businesses based on an independent audit of their performance, reputation, and customer-centricity.

The AIBF is an independent national body that identifies and acknowledges the country’s most ambitious and visionary businesses.