Denis Paramonov: SMK Group's Ukrainian products are now available in 15 European countries.

Business during wartime – a challenge or an opportunity?

It is certainly a challenge, but if you endure and succeed, it also brings opportunities. In the early days of the full-scale invasion, we managed factories almost manually. From transporting people to initiating the technological process, we faced constant outages of electricity and water. We developed plans to bring employees to work, searched for cars, fuel, and safe routes. Every moment presented a challenge and an immense responsibility. The Saltov Meat Processing Plant was located in one of the hottest spots in Kharkiv. The situation in Kyiv’s Bila Tserkva was also far from stable. But we persevered. During the first days of the full-scale invasion, only the SMC produced 20 tons of meat products per cycle – this literally saved people from hunger. Wherever we could, we opened stores, and sometimes we distributed products directly from our vehicles – people constantly gathered at the plant's door. By the way, we also resumed bread production at that time.

We stood firm, and I cannot say it was easy. Behind the so-called success were sleepless nights, significant responsibility, undeniable courage, and the dedication of every employee. Despite everything, I am very grateful to each one of them.

Next, we began to explore new paths for development, entered the Polish market, and launched the meat processing plant under a new brand – Saltowski. In addition to the Poles, there are also our compatriots, Ukrainians, who had to leave their homes due to the hostilities.

So, as of the end of 2024, what is SMK Group? What does it include?

It is the union of the Saltov and Kyiv meat processing plants with a retail network under these brands, as well as the Bohodukhiv Meat Processing Plant, the eco-farming enterprise Agrofirm "Svitank," regional branches of SMK Distribution, and the "Rulka" grocery stores. As I mentioned, we opened a Polish meat processing plant. This is another challenge for us, which we are approaching consciously, knowing that we can offer Europe high-quality products. Personally, for me, SMK Group is a community, a true team of people working towards results. Our meat products are available in 15 countries, including Germany, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, and even Cyprus. Today, we are witnessing sales growth, which only confirms my opinion.

You started with the opening of a workshop in Kharkiv. Did you ever think you would enter the international market?

At the start, I didn't think about that. I gathered a team and opened a small workshop in Kharkiv, in Saltivka. We worked 24/7, systematically overcoming difficulties, looking only forward. Thus, the Saltov Meat Processing Plant was born. There are people who have been working with me for almost 25 years. I am very grateful to my team.

You recently mentioned that you are not relocating the factory from Kharkiv... Is it profitable?

Yes, I am not even considering relocating the business from the Kharkiv region. After moving the surviving equipment of the Saltov Meat Processing Plant to the Bohodukhiv site, it was not easy to reach the production volumes of three years ago. But we managed to exceed them. I spoke a lot with the team. We must stay put, continue to support people so they feel they are not alone – that there is stable work, that stores are operational, and that we are moving forward and developing despite everything.

The charitable foundation of Denys Paramonov. During the war, do you spend more or less on good deeds?

Of course, more… Previously, we focused on what was called the "cultural direction" – sponsoring performances, helping those in need selectively, and supporting athletes. At the beginning of 2022, everything changed: I realized that SMK Group should take on a larger role – to start investing more in charity. We gathered like-minded people and reformatted the activities of the Charitable Foundation. Even now, depending on the situation, we adjust the priority of our assistance programs. Our foundation is a living organism, responding to what happens around. Thus, at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, we initiated the SVOI program – assisting residents of de-occupied territories and those on the front lines. We went to places where others could not reach, regardless of whether it was a hamlet with only ten families left, where no stores were operating and there were no basic amenities like gas and electricity, or a large city suffering from a lack of water after the Kakhovka dam breach.

But you are in the TOP 5 largest charitable foundations for helping medical institutions. Why did you choose hospital equipment as the main focus of your activities?

We are guided by the demands of the times. For now, equipping hospitals is very much needed, as are consumables. We see how the flow of patients has increased – doctors are working overtime, sometimes on the brink of human capacity. Modern equipment eases their workload, allows for more accurate diagnostics and monitoring of conditions, and sometimes, quite literally, not only increases the chances of recovery but saves lives. We have assisted over 650 medical institutions.

Why are you raffling off your own cars?

I want to draw people's attention to the issue of equipping hospitals, so we are looking for unconventional approaches and organizing promotions.

Who are the tactical medicine courses from the Foundation for?

In fact, in the conditions that Ukraine is currently living in, this is for everyone without exception. The ability to save one’s life and help others is not a luxury; these are skills and knowledge that everyone needs. So far, we have focused the program on critical professionals – the course has already been completed by police officers, rescuers, and teachers. All of them received corresponding certificates. And this is just the beginning. Anyone can enroll in the course. Information is available on our website and social media.

Is it reasonable to invest in sports during wartime? Wouldn’t it be better to go back to feeding the needy?

Globally speaking, it’s like choosing from fingers on a hand – which one you need and which you don’t. Why do we invest in the development of sports, and is it timely? Sports not only distract children from what is happening around them. The issue of youth leaving for abroad is very acute right now. Educators and others have raised this repeatedly. The new generation does not see prospects for staying in Ukraine – that is what is frightening. It is necessary to change policies, show opportunities, and provide comprehensive support so that young people want to realize their potential here. Everyone can contribute to this. That is why we engage children and teenagers in various ways – we open free sports clubs, help sports sections by purchasing uniforms and equipment, and support promising athletes in their trips abroad for competitions, where they often return with world-class victories. There are also less recognized but equally significant victories. We are proud of all of them and our protégés.

Recently, the football club from Bohodukhiv, which I support, became the vice-champion in football in the Kharkiv region. Just last week, we donated balls to a sports boarding school, and now we are preparing a similar surprise for the children from the Shevchenkiv community in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region. Their coach wrote to the foundation, who organized a local football club a year and a half ago to distract children from the harsh reality. Initially, 10-15 children attended training, but today he has 65 protégés. Imagine, they even participate in friendly matches at the regional level and have also been to Poland and Spain. The training is free, and they need sports uniforms, balls, and markers – all of this is crucial. We really want to support such coaches and the children who not only believe in the future of Ukraine but are also building it.