🎯 Strategic selection that will enable Holík International to exceed its planned financial goals.
“The Holík Group plans to grow from a turnover of CZK 500 million in 2024 to CZK 1 billion in 2030. The current year’s interim results, order outlook, and successful acquisitions so far indicate that we might even achieve this goal a little earlier. We can rely on a high-quality and professionally mature management team.” (Tomáš Pekař, CEO)
Significant change, growth, merger, new division.
Holík International exports to 70 countries worldwide. In 2024, the company acquired a foreign development company, launched a new division for the development and production of firefighter suits, and prepared new product lines. These significant changes required strong and experienced people.
THE ASSIGNMENT THAT STARTED WITH ONE POSITION
Our cooperation began with a single need: to fill the Sales Director position. The company was growing, new export opportunities were emerging, and it needed stronger leadership and drive.
- POSITION: SALES DIRECTOR
We were looking for:
- an expert in technical B2B sales,
- someone capable of expanding sales in the EU and beyond,
- a director with both vision and the ability to lead a team.
What complicated the project:
- We had to repeat the recruitment process because the selected candidate declined the offer (choosing to stay with her current employer after being promised a raise and more authority, which had only been verbal until then). Two months later, however, she came back asking if the offer was still valid (as she was leaving her previous job).
✔️ Final result: A new Sales Director joined eight months after the start of our cooperation. Today, they successfully lead and reshape the sales department.
2. POSITION: HEAD OF FOOTWEAR DEVELOPMENT
Following the success of the first project, the client realised that even in technical fields and challenging locations, we could identify and approach high-quality candidates. The next task was to find a head of footwear development for a previously stagnant R&D department.
We were looking for:
- know-how in ergonomics, design, and materials,
- experience in leading development teams,
- the ability to connect R&D with production and sales.
What made it difficult:
- a very narrow talent market,
- the candidate was running her own company at the time of the approach.
✔️ Result: Within four months, a highly experienced candidate from the closest competitor joined the company. Today, she sets the direction for footwear development with both vision and humility.
3. POSITION: HEAD OF FIREFIGHTER SUIT PRODUCTION
For the purpose of launching a new production division following the acquisition of a development company, it was necessary to find an experienced Production Director who could establish the new operations and act as a link between production, subcontractors, and global partners.
Requirements for the position:
- experience in launching new production,
- leading dozens of employees,
- the ability to communicate across production units, subcontractors, and global partners.
Twist:
The selected candidate from the nearest competitor tragically passed away shortly before starting.
✔️ Our reaction:
- We immediately relaunched the search,
- without any increase in our fee,
- a new highly competent candidate will start in August 2025.
4. BONUS: NEW WORKSHOP IN SLOVAKIA THANKS TO THE RIGHT CANDIDATE
While searching for a Production Director for the Zlín site, we also approached candidates from Slovakia. At that time, one of Slovakia’s traditional clothing companies was closing down, and we made contact with an experienced production manager. She had hands-on experience but did not fully meet the requirements for a Production Director. She was also unwilling to commute long-term to Zlín.
The client seized the opportunity and opened a new sewing workshop right in the candidate’s hometown. Today, the new Slovak workshop is running successfully.
✔️ Thanks to this step:
- production capacity expanded,
- the company gained an experienced sewing production manager,
- a standalone, efficient unit was established in a new location.
This development is a perfect example of how a flexible and creative approach to executive search can bring a company not just a filled position, but also a new production facility.
5. FINALE: MARKETING DIRECTOR
The Holík brand needed a new spark in communication to match its expansion into new markets, new products, and a new division.
We were looking for:
- strategic thinking combined with execution,
- experience with B2B brands and industrial markets,
- an eye for aesthetics and functional communication.
✔️ Result: The candidate joined within two months. We approached him through our contact network. Today, he successfully leads the company’s marketing department.
SUMMARY
Since December 2023, we have filled four key positions + one bonus role for Holík International, enabling production expansion. We delivered new leadership, innovation, and room for growth.
The biggest challenges:
- finding quality candidates in a location with limited options (e.g., experience in an international environment, English proficiency),
- dealing with unexpected events (offer rejections, candidate death).
Collaboration with the client:
Excellent – fast, confidential, and truly partnership-based, which was a key factor in our joint success.
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