SPINNING WITH SUCCESS Hajdu Zrt, Hungary’s most renowned manufacturer of household goods, celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. For many decades the company’s flagship products were washing machines, but in recent years it has moved its focus to the renewable energy sector and has been acquiring a strong presence with their award-winning developments. Edina Beale reports.
H
ajdu Zrt, the formerly state-owned company, was established in 1952 to supply parts for the armed forces. In 1957 the company began to manufacture household goods and has continued with this profile ever since. By the mid-1970s Hajdu became a strong brand name for its high-quality automatic washing machines and began to export a significant amount. Since then the company has been continuously developing its products to meet rapidly changing customer needs and has expanded its portfolio to keep up with current trends.
Success in renewable energy In 2006 Hajdu began to shift towards the renewable energy sector and established a new division to develop products for this segment. In addition to maintaining its traditional markets, Hajdu Ipari Zrt began to supply solar systems and condensing gas-fired boilers. Soon the company identified other opportunities in this sector and made a strategic decision to start a large investment project to meet demand. In 2010 Hajdu completed the HUF 800 million technological development that was required to
manufacture indirect tanks, enabling it to launch its buffer tank production. In addition to introducing the most modern technologies, the company has greatly improved its IT structure, staff training and marketing. Whilst completing this project, the company has been constantly developing its product ranges in all segments. “There have been many significant changes in the EU laws regulating energy efficiency, and this encourages producers to focus on product development. This is exactly our direction, too,” confirms Mr Istvan Novotni, managing director of Hajdu
