Monica Sagmar, Co-Owner/Chief Operating Officer
“KADRA has been, and still is, part of my life. I have put not only work into it, but also my heart. And to those coming after us, I would say just one thing: true success is built as a team, with patience, integrity, and humanity.”
A founder of KADRA and the heart of the company for over 30 years, Monica Sagmar tells us about the challenging early days, the team that grew alongside her, and the values that laid the foundation for lasting success.
1. Monica, you are one of KADRA’s founders, more than 30 years ago. How do you remember those early days, and what motivated you to stay so close to the company up to today?
Monica Sagmar: Thinking back to the beginning brings me a mix of enthusiasm, courage, and a great deal of hard work. It was the 1990s, when we did not really know what management or entrepreneurship meant; we had limited resources, but plenty of ambition and dreams… some of them were somewhere there, in our minds, and we did not even dare to speak them out loud.
KADRA started from the ideas of ambitious engineers who wanted to bring innovation to a field that was almost unknown in Romania at the time—automated solutions for access and space management.
For me, KADRA has never been just a business. It is part of my professional and personal identity and, above all, part of a friendship that has lasted for over 30 years. I grew together with the company; we went through on-the-spot decisions, successes, and setbacks side by side. We were fortunate that all the founders were down-to-earth, decent people who always got along very well. Every challenge found its solution within the team. That is why I stayed close: because every stage, every joy, and every hardship tied me even more to this endeavor, which today is a solid organization with a valuable team and a real impact on society.
2. What were the biggest challenges at the beginning, and how did you overcome them?
MS: There were many challenges, and sometimes they caught us unprepared. First of all, what we now call an “entrepreneurial culture” did not exist, so we learned everything on our own: management, strategy, human resources, and how to navigate a market in constant change.
Another major test was finding the balance—between what was needed today and what had to be built for the long term. We learned that adaptability is key: knowing when to persist and when to change direction. We overcame obstacles through hard work, perseverance, a united team, and a desire to keep learning. The support of partners, colleagues, and family was always essential.
3. Everyone knows you are the person who “keeps everything running.” What does a typical day at KADRA look like for you?
MS: No typical day at KADRA is ever like another. I set my agenda in the morning, but I usually cannot stick to it, because unexpected situations arise that require quick decisions. My role is to make sure that everything related to the company’s smooth operation is under control.
I like to stay connected to everything that is happening and to be able to step in where needed. I have always embraced challenges, even when it might not have been the best idea to get involved. But I believe that is exactly what keeps me energized and brings balance: being consistently present for the team.
4. You handle logistics, procurement, banking, and much more. Which part do you enjoy the most?
MS: I believe the “coordination” side motivates me the most. It is the kind of work no one outside sees, but without it nothing would function properly. Every part that arrives on time, every project delivered under optimal conditions, every payment made on time, every successful negotiation—for me, these are all small victories. I like seeing how every detail matters and how everything, put together, leads to customer satisfaction and the team’s success.
5. KADRA’s warehouse is very complex. How do you manage it so well that your colleagues say you know it like the back of your hand?
MS: The secret is simple: constant involvement and a desire for order and efficiency. I have always been present in organizing the warehouse—during inventories, inspections, and certifications. I learned every shelf, every product, every workflow. For me, the warehouse is like a well-run household, which should reflect who the person is, what they believe in, and what they value.
Knowing it “like the back of my hand” comes from care and respect for my colleagues. I know they can rely on a well-organized system and on my support, at any time.
6. People see you as a stable, reliable anchor. How did you build this relationship of trust?
MS: Trust cannot be imposed. It is built step by step, through respect and involvement. I have always tried to be present, to listen, to respond fairly, and to honor my commitments. I have never promised more than I can deliver, but what I have promised, I have followed through to the end.
I have been consistent in my values, but flexible in solutions. For me, people matter more than anything else, and respect is the basic rule.
7. What gives you the energy to always be there for anyone who needs you, professionally or personally?
MS: I do not know exactly where this energy comes from; I have had it for as long as I can remember. My parents raised me with the idea that you must work hard and not depend on anyone. Perhaps that is why I never really knew what it means to be lazy.
KADRA is a second family to me. I am genuinely motivated by the sincerity of relationships, my colleagues’ gratitude, and the idea that, if you are there at the right moment, you can make a real difference. My mother always told me: “do not do harm, help if you can, and do not necessarily expect thanks.” That has guided me all my life.
8. If you had to share a message with your colleagues about what matters most in a team, what would it be?
MS: For me, what matters most in a team is trust and respect. Knowing you can make mistakes without fear, that your ideas are heard, that your work is recognized. Success comes from collaboration, not competition.
A strong team is not made up only of professionals, but of people who know how to be kind to one another.
9. What moments are you most proud of in these more than 30 years?
MS: I am proud of all the moments, whether visible or less known. But if I had to choose one, it would be building our own headquarters, after more than 20 years of work. It was a huge step for us.
I am just as proud of the team—loyal, committed people who grew alongside the company and carry our vision forward. And of the friendships that were formed and that, for me, will remain forever.
10. How do you see the company’s future, and what should remain unchanged?
MS: I see the future as full of opportunities. Innovation and technology will matter more and more, and KADRA has the potential to expand, diversify, and become a leader in smart and sustainable spaces.
But no matter how much we transform, I believe we must remain true to our values: respect for people, professionalism, care for quality, and commitment to the community. A company is not defined only by numbers, but above all by the people who build it day by day.
KADRA has been, and still is, part of my life. I have put not only work into it, but also my heart. And to those coming after us, I would say just one thing: true success is built as a team, with patience, integrity, and humanity.