Revalize builds a CoE in Poznań

In a strategic move reflecting the company's commitment to excellence and growth, Revalize Inc. has chosen Poznań, the capital of Wielkopolska Region in Poland, as the location for its new Center of Excellence (CoE). In this exclusive interview, Mike Sabin, CEO of Revalize Inc., sheds light on the decision-making process behind selecting Poznań, as well as the exciting developments expected from this expansion.

FOCUS ON Business: Revalize decided to open a CoE in Poznań. Can you elaborate on why Poland and specifically Poznań were chosen, and were there other cities in competition?

Mike Sabin, CEO of Revalize Inc.: There were several factors that played into the choice for where to build a team that could support our company-wide requirements. These considerations included access to talent for business-to-business software products, with a focus on three key skill sets. These encompassed software development aligned with current technologies, including software-as-a-service and cloud models, software implementation capabilities for B2B products with complex client requirements, and technical support for intricate software solutions.

Additionally, Revalize is built around the notion of hiring talented individuals early in their careers who can quickly adapt to our product portfolio and thrive in a challenging work environment with ample growth opportunities.

We sought locations with universities and a young workforce eager for professional development. Time zone alignment with CET, the need for English and German proficiency (due to the fact that we are a US-based company with customers in the US, plus a large part of our customer footprint in Europe is in Germany), favorable macro-economic conditions, stability, and business-friendly practices were also crucial.

Choosing the right partner was essential for rapid ramp-up and adapting to the unique aspects of our business. The balance of talent and cost, without exclusive focus on cost, guided our decision-making.

After considering various countries in Eastern Europe, India, and Latin America, Poznań emerged as the best fit, being an emerging market investing in talent development and economic growth.

^{Photo: Mike Sabin at the meeting at Poznań City Hall with Jacek Jaśkowiak, the Mayor of Poznań on 5 FEB, 2024}

What is the current and anticipated scope of services provided by Revalize from the Poznań office?

Our partnership with Flexsoft, a trusted advisor to Revalize, centers on IT development, professional services, and technical support. Poland, particularly Poznań, has cultivated the necessary skill sets that align with our requirements which made it the right place for us. We are pleased with the capabilities and talent of individuals, leveraging our strategic partner. We foresee these mentioned three functions continuing as pillars for the Poznań team, growing in tandem with the company's overall expansion in the coming years.

As a company actively involved in mergers and acquisitions, this dynamic will significantly influence our presence in Poznań, presenting growth and leadership opportunities for the team. 

^{Photo: The attendands of the meeting at Poznań City Hall on 5 FEB, 2024}

How many people do you currently employ and what are the plans for the coming year?

Utilizing our partner, we've successfully recruited teams supporting us across various functions and working on products within Revalize's portfolio. As we enter 2024, our overarching goal remains the growth of the entire company, necessitating additional resources across the organization.

Determining a specific number proves challenging due to our acquisitive nature, which swiftly alters our requirements. However, our plan envisions the company doubling in size over the next 2-3 years, inevitably leading to a significant expansion of our teams.

In consideration of your growth plans, what specific skills are you seeking in your prospective employees?

The emphasis lies on solid technical skills relevant to the described functions, as well as additional that we may need as the company expands. Furthermore, a strong work ethic and alignment with organizational values are essential. Given the global nature of the organization, language proficiency is crucial, particularly in English and German.

As Revalize scales, there will be a corresponding increase in diversity within roles and responsibilities. The ongoing focus is on individuals with significant potential who aspire to grow alongside the organization, fostering long-term benefits by providing more opportunities for team members in Poznań.

As a global brand, could you elaborate on Revalize's presence and the primary scope of your activities?

Revalize specializes in a product portfolio dedicated to manufacturing and specific industry solutions, comprising two categories: CPQ and PLM. Industry solutions are predominantly associated with manufacturing, including e.g. process industries, industrial equipment, and commercial vehicles. Although based in the US, Revalize operates as a truly global company, serving over 15,000 customers worldwide. The team spans across more than 15 countries, with approximately 50% of employees based in the US and the remaining 50% in Europe and the UK. This extensive portfolio and broad geographic footprint position us well for sustained growth, providing unique opportunities for our teams and partners to grow with us.

Thank you for the interview.