Best in Lithuania #17 by Linoleum design UAB

Lietuvos pramoninink킬 konfederacija Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists

Nr. 17 2012

Magazine about business, science and culture leaders in Lithuania

Close ties with the Nordic countries www.BESTinLT.lt

Photo: K. Fedirka. www.fotoskrydis.lt

Dear readers, The Baltic and Scandinavian States feel as if they were sisters stretching along the Baltic Sea. Each of these countries was among the first ones to recognise Lithuania’s Independence. It was from the Scandinavian countries that we received both moral and financial assistance. At the dawn of our independence the greatest majority of these countries supported our steps towards membership of the European Union. Municipalities, non-governmental organisations and representatives of society also rendered every kind of assistance to health care institution, universities and schools, children care homes, religious communities, cultural organisations and centres. Ministries of defence rendered assistance to the Lithuanian Armed Forces being formed by providing it with uniforms, means of transportation, and some equipment in organising training. Today co-operation is being developed further in the sphere of energy independence, which is of great significance to the Baltic Region. The international power link NordBalt will connect Lithuanian and Swedish energy systems and will technically enable to integrate the Lithuanian energy market in the common electricity market of the Baltic Sea Region states. The latest proof of co-operation between these countries is the agreement on the beginning of the activity of Nord Pool Spot in Lithuania signed between the electricity transmission system operator Litgrid and the leading European power trading system Nord Pool Spot signed in Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania, on 26 March 2012. The common electricity market of the Nordic countries is one of the most fundamental tasks of the plan of joining the electricity markets of the Baltic States and the Lithuanian energy strategy. Constant co-operation was and is still being carried out in the sphere of business co-operation. The Swedish furniture giant IKEA is going to invest in Lithuania. Since the very beginning of Independence it has co-operated with many beginning businessmen at that time and helped them learn business culture. It was from the Scandinavian countries that foreign direct investments came to Lithuania last year. Sweden, which invested as much as 5,74 billion litas, was in the first place. Nobody doubts that this region has a huge internal market, and its favourable conditions make it attractive to competitiveness, innovations and entrepreneurship. By the way, according to the world and EU economic tendencies, we have to admit that economic forecasts for our countries are more optimistic and promising than those for the majority of European countries – a general 2 per cent increase in the region’s GDP is forecasted as compared to a general half per cent growth in the Euro zone. Therefore I would like to wish everybody to further develop friendly relations in the sphere of culture, science, and art, and establish universally useful economic contacts. We wish you pleasant reading and hope that this issue will help and encourage you to achieve the above-mentioned aims. Sincerely, the Editorial Staff of „Best in Lithuania“

Magazine „Best in Lithuania“ Nr. 17, 2012 Address: UAB “Linoleum design” M.Mažvydo str. 9-19, LT-06256 Vilnius Tel. +370 615 83361 E-mail: rimvidas@bestinlt.lt www.bestinlt.lt The editorial office is not responsible for the contens of advertisements

Editor Advertising manager Writers Designer Photographer

Rimvidas Stankevičius Gediminas Miškinis Jūratė Mockuvienė Lina Šiškutė Gintaras Morkūnas

Cover: Armorial cartouche of Sigismund Vasa (1587 – 1632), Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland, around 1600, Poland (the original is stored in the Royal Armoury, Stockholm / Livrustkammaren, Stockholm. Photographer: Göran Schmidt). | 3

Content Close ties with the Nordic countries

Lithuania goes ahead with the Nordic Baltic cooperation Audronius Ažubalis, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs

Strengthening of cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region is key to success Dr Almantas Danilevičius, Director of the Innovation and Knowledge Society Department of the Ministry of Economy

Lithuanian economy: Perpspectives for 2012 Aleksandr Izgorodin, Analyst of Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists

Exploring “home market” opportunities: multifold benefit and prospects for the future Sigitas BRAZINSKAS, Commerical Attaché of the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in the Kingdom of Sweden

Promoting environmental business is among the priority areas of Nordic Council of Ministers office in Lithuania Interview with Director of The Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Lithuania, Mr. Bo Harald Tillberg

Lithuanian enterprises

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Activity of Durapart UAB is based on partnership and long-term co-operation

The leader of metal processing in Lithuania Umega UAB

Plastic and rubber production enterprise STIGMA

ARLANGA pvc that is well-known in Scandinavia invites everyone to stay with it

AD REM TRANSPORT: more than forwarding

Content

There is no alternative to wooden windows

Lietuvos rytas Printing house â&#x20AC;&#x201C; quality, services, reliability

SELJE LOGISTIKA UAB your reliable supplier of professional and corporate wear

Schmitz Cargobull Baltic offers special products to the Scandinavian market

The biggest WPC profiles production factory in the Baltics

Roda UAB

Intervilza UAB

Construction from foundation to the key APASTATA UAB

Lanksti linija UAB knows

Aveplast new generation windows: energy efficient, safe and easy to use

Natural materials and quality of products is the secret of the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s success Kontivis plius partneriai UAB

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Content

IREMAS UAB Panevėžys branch

Your partner in logistics

Alytus industrial park

Transekspedicija UAB

Finland

Norway

Sweden

Russia

Estonia

Latvia Denmark

The oldest mattress manufacturing company in Lithuania Padvaiskas ir Ko exports the largest part of its production

Padvaisko dvaras welcomes those who wants to rest and picnic

Exclusive natural linen and wool Lincasa UAB

Construction of aluminium Profalis UAB

Dynamic and innovative raw material supply company in Eastern Europe Imlitex UAB

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The 20th Anniversary of Condiments & Seasonings Manufacturer Vesiga

Metalo Meistrai – a company which provides solid steel solutions

Germany Poland

Belarus

Content

The leader in Plastic Recycling Industry in the Baltic countries Tikritus UAB

For whose who demand more

Products of Bageta UAB smell of Lithuanian wood

Alpera medals fascinated even the basketball legend Arvydas Sabonis

Dotnuvos projektai UAB

We can do more for you! Progresas AB

science and Culture

Profession, ambition, devotion Lithuanian University of Health Sciences

Lithuanian reflections in Mannerheimiad

The Scandinavian dimension in the heart of Vilnius Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

Microworld

Jewelry and fashion designer

Mysterious Creations by Kornelija GerikaitÄ&#x2014;

Gallery MaĹžoji galerija

Artist Mikalojus Povilas Vilutis

INGRIDA DIDIKA

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Photo: K. Fedirka. www.fotoskrydis.lt

The landscape of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania | 9

Photo by ELTA

Lithuania goes ahead with the Nordic Baltic cooperation

Audronius Ažubalis Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs

ithuania’s relations with Nordic countries go way back into centuries. The Baltic Sea always was crisscrossed by shipping routes widely travelled by adventurers and traders, in a long run creating a bond between the nations of shared values and similar traditions. This bond turned to be most precious in contemporary history during the last 20 years of transformation of our country into the modern democracy and economy during which we had a full support of our Nordic neighbours. The Nordic countries were the first ones to recognize the restored independence of Lithuania

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and the very first mission opened in Vilnius was the Office of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Nordic countries had consistently supported political and economic reform process of the Baltic States since 1990’s. They were instrumental in our preparations to becoming members of the NATO and the European Union. During the last 20 years our cooperation has transformed into the partner and ally relationship. This year is special for us, because Lithuania coordinates agenda of Nordic-Baltic co-operation format called Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8), which

includes Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. NB8 deals with various regional issues, common challenges as well as political matters. The region is turning into a very strong and rapidly expanding economic player. Being a host of the Nordic-Baltic meetings, we take particular efforts to boost the region’s business relations, strengthen its visibility and competitiveness. We will set the ground for closer discussions of the Baltic countries with the Nordic Council of Ministers, encourage the exchange of information within and about our

countries, further our energy sector integration, and explore possibilities in developing some issues of single digital market. Over the last decade NB8 became highly integrated financially as well as economically, which is confirmed by the increase in trade and investment flows. Today our eight Nordic and Baltic countries constitute 11th largest global economy. As for accumulated foreign direct investments, by 2010 NB8 region has attracted more than 4 per cent of the world’s total investment, significantly outrunning such major economies like India, China, Japan and Russia. A clearly positive perspective is also determined by the region’s export performance – NB8 exports accounted for more than 3 per cent of total world’s exports. In the face of recent global economic recession it turned out that this strategic direction towards stronger integration with Northern partners worked well: our economy, modelled to the northern type economies, and Nordic-Baltic region as a whole proved to be resilient, responsible and flexible. Lithuania, as well as other Baltic countries being hardly hit by global economic turmoil in 2008, was among the first to get back on the track of recovery already since 2010. In 2010 Nordic-Baltic countries agreed on common rules for financial stability and joint crisis prevention and management measures; Nordic-Baltic stability group was created. No wonder NB8 countries were probably the most efficient in coping with the recent economic and financial difficulties in Europe. Given the geographical proximity of Nordic and Baltic countries, our close integration is far from surprising. Common regional branding as North-Baltic region gives very attractive commercial impression of a region, covering eight countries with high and reliable corporate culture, innovative approach to the economy, daring ideas, new business opportu-

nities and niches as well as qualified and hardworking people. Being eight, instead of one or even Baltic three, gives us more relative power in global perspective. Nordic-Baltic region is a priority market for Lithuanian exports. About a quarter of Lithuania’s total export and 23% of our foreign investments go to the Baltic and the Nordic countries. At the end of 2011, FDI from our NordicBaltic neighbours made up 40.5% of total FDI in Lithuania, Sweden being in the first position. The importance of the Nordic countries to the Lithuanian economy is clearly demonstrated by their investments into our financial system. Our banking sector - the largest member of the financial system, is dominated by the Nordic capital. Our mutually beneficial success in this field is also encouraged by long-term development opportunities which Lithuania could offer. Nordic banks profiting from favourable Lithuanian investment climate are developing banking services provided to our customers, as well as transfer some of business functions from their countries to Lithuania, as for example a recent move of SEB Operation Center to Vilnius. Successful economic cooperation and investment projects could be also traced across representative sectors of economy. Today we are working consistently with our Nordic and Baltic neighbours towards the creation of a common EU energy market and elimination of remaining energy islands by 2015. For instance, with Sweden Lithuania is constructing an electricity cable link “NordBalt” which should be finished by 2015 and which should ensure an integration of Baltic and Nordic energy markets. Lithuania together with Sweden is developing a very promising mutual transport project - East-West Transport Corridor. The idea of this corridor is to connect Asian and European markets by an alternative inland

transport route, to develop efficient, safe and environmentally friendly handling of the increasing amount of goods going east-west. Finland plays an active part in improving north–south land connections to central Europe, promoting further utilization of the railway project „Rail Baltica“. This project is important in terms of better connection of the rail system of the Baltic States with Poland and the rest of single European market. Connecting Finland to the corridor is a logical extension, because it would increase the potential passenger and freight volumes and offer new alternatives for international logistics in line with the EU strategies of promoting sustainable transportation modes. Together with other Nordic- Baltic countries we are actively involved in the implementation of the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) Stars Programme aimed at developing of the innovation, clusters and SMEs networks in the region. We have also excellent examples of bilateral cooperation between our countries’ science institutions, the recent one being the agreement between Lithuanian Kaunas and Finish Aalto Universities in establishing an innovation and entrepreneurship centre aimed at strengthening of the scientific and business cooperation and innovation development in the Baltic Sea region. Nordic countries are one of the most innovative regions in the world. Being a part of the Nordic-Baltic region means to be aligned with the most advanced countries. We are interested to adopt best practices in innovation, science and technology, as well as creation of favourable conditions for cooperation in science, business and government in developing high value added sectors. From the Nordic countries we draw our inspiration, among other things, towards environmental protection, climate change and economic development based on innovations and “green” technologies.

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Strengthening of cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region is key to success 15 priority areas, more than 80 pilot projects, considerable focus on the development of research, innovation and business, creation of clusters and enhancement of competitiveness – all these initiatives contribute to the implementation of the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.

“This initiative from the European Commission has clearly demonstrated that Lithuania, like other countries in the Baltic Sea Region, has a considerable potential and plays an important role in the enhancement of the EU competitiveness on the global scale,” said Dr Almantas Danilevičius, Director of the Innovation and Knowledge Society Department of the Ministry of Economy.

Dr Almantas Danilevičius, Director of the Innovation and Knowledge Society Department of the Ministry of Economy

he European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region is the first macroeconomic strategy in the history of the European Union with its specific initiatives targeted at all the countries concerned, including Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Island and Germany.

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Spread and development of innovation is among the key priorities of Lithuania in the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and its Action Plan. “The development of an innovation-friendly investment environment in the region comprising of relatively small countries with different level of innovative activities requires strengthening of cross-border cooperation. Cooperation is also necessary to achieve better mobility, regional coherence and ensure sustainable economic growth,” Dr Almantas Danilevičius said. Innovation development is important for Lithuania Each of the Baltic Sea Region countries is responsible

for priority areas under the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, coordination of the pilot projects and smooth implementation thereof. In general, 15 priority areas have been identified under the Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and Lithuania coordinates three of them. The 7th priority area with the objective to fully exploit the research and innovation potential of the region is of special importance to Lithuania. “The regional cooperation initiatives allow businessmen in the Baltic Sea Region to be visible without competing with one another. For instance, Lithuanian businessmen who enter the most rapidly growing global markets could make use of the long-lasting experience and know-how of other Baltic Sea Region countries which, in turn, could share Lithuania’s experience in cooperation with the Eastern European neighbours,“ Dr Almantas Danilevičius said. Along with Sweden Lithuania is actively engaged in coordination and implementation of the BSR Stars Programme in this field.

BSR Stars Programme The BSR Stars Programme is aimed to encourage the development of innovation, international cluster and SME networks, strengthen competitiveness and ensure economic growth and creation of new jobs through the development of international cooperation in the field of innovation policy as well as clustering and SME networks. “The Programme is the result of a joint two year effort by a 40 people team from 10 Baltic Sea countries; it will help Lithuanian clusters and companies get involved in international networks and use the best practice of innovation policy shaping of other countries in the region. With the BSR Stars Programme in place the research and innovation potential will be fully exploited in the region while business will be enabled to launch and develop innovative knowledge-based products and services capable to compet globally,” Dr A. Danilevičius said.

Best practice examples in the field of international cooperation:

BaltFood Cluster The objective of the Project is to develop food industry in the Baltic Sea Region via support to small and medium-sized food production companies, improvement of innovation technologies and development of an international Food Business Cluster in the Baltic Sea Region. Innovation Laboratory Network The network of food technology and sensory analysis laboratories will be expanded in the Baltic Sea Region, which will result in the establishment of two databases: food technology laboratories and sensory analysis laboratories. The network will comprise 22 food science and research establishments. Regional platform for training tools and communication • In the course of the BaltFood Project a system for dissemination of information will be created to collect information relating to the latest food tendencies. The system will help businessmen identify and assess the development tendencies in their fields and plan on how to employ the existing opportunities in business. • A uniform platform of training tools and communication will be set to enable exchange of information and promote cooperation between business and science.

The Project include 12 partners from 6 EU Member States. Lithuania is represented by the Institute of Horticulture under the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. Condensation particle counter with photo-induced nucleation The objective of the Project is to design a new family of automatic device to examine air pollution. In the course of the Project, a European patent has been issued for the product under the title of Condensation Particle Counter with Photo-Induced Nucleation. The results have also been patented in the USA. 100 units of condensation particle counters are planned to be manufactured per year. The Institute of Physics of Lithuania, UAB Eltera, the Prof. M. Kulmala Group which is leading globally in investigation of atmospheric aerosol and the Finish company Dekati are the partners of the Project. Lithuania is the main coordinator and operator of the Project. For more information please visit www.eurekanetwork.org.

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LITHUANIAN ECONOMY: Perpspectives for 2012

Aleksandr Izgorodin, Analyst of Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists

he performance of Lithuanian economy has been very volatile during the last several years. In 2009 Lithuania has experienced a hard landing, with output slumping by 15%. The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exporters have been badly hit by a contracting global economy. Moreover, the economic growth model, which has been primarily based on substantial inflow of cheap foreign credit, has created severe macroeconomic imbalances and caused overheating of the economy, which eventually resulted in

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burst of the real estate bubble and other severe consequences for the domestic market. Lastly, draconian fiscal consolidation measures which have been implemented by the authorities in order to prevent budget deficit reaching unsustainably high levels, have additionally weighed on economic activity. In 2010 economic conditions in Lithuania have stabilized, with GDP expanding by a modest 1.4%. Gradual improvement in economic climate was mainly driven by recovering global trade, on which small and

open Lithuanian economy is highly dependent. In 2011 economic conditions have continued to improve further and GDP climbed by 5.8% – the second-highest growth rate in GDP in the EU after Estonia (7.6%). While export has acted as a catalyst for gradual economic recovery in 2010, the growth of Lithuanian economy has become more balanced in 2011 – surge in export (export of goods and services climbed by 28% in 2011 and surpassed pre-crisis level in nominal terms) has eventually stimulated recovery in investment and domestic demand, with capital formation rising by 21% and household consumption expenditure increasing by 6.1%. However, economic conditions started to deteriorate at the end of 2011, and GDP growth slowed from 6.7% in 2011 Q3 to 4.4% in 2011 Q4. Unsurprisingly, the catalyst for slower output growth comes from unfavorable trends in global economy, as growth in export and investment has slowed significantly. Firstly, slowing external demand coupled with depreciation in Belarussian ruble and Polish zloty have slowed gain in Lithuanian export form 25% in 2011 Q1 to only 5% in 2011 Q4. Deteriorating economic conditions in Europe (Lithuania’s biggest trade partner, accounting for 60% of Lithuanian exports), in respect to ongoing sovereign debt crisis continues to be a major challenge for Lithuanian exporters. Recently updated forecasts published by the European Commission show that euro zone is set to experience a mild recession (-0.3%) in 2012, while the EU as a whole is expected to completely stagnate (GDP growth will reach 0%) this year. Secondly, worsening demand prospects, high level of uncertainty and declined business optimism have significantly limited the recovery in investment in Lithuania, as increase in capital formation slowed from 45% during 2011 Q1 to only 10% in 2011 Q4. Thus, ongoing recovery of Lithuanian economy has become increasingly dependent on domestic consumption – increase in household consumption expenditure has accelerated from 4.1% in 2011 Q3 to 8.1% in Q4, a clear sign of improving domestic demand. Under current economic conditions, we expect growth of Lithuanian economy to slow from 5.8% in 2011 to 2.5% in 2012. As stated above, the slowdown in economic growth will be largely

determined by a significant slowdown in export and investment – growth in export is set to slow from 28% in 2011 to 5% in 2012, while investment is set to rise by 7% in 2012, after rising by 17% in 2011. What is more, we expect recovery in domestic consumption to moderate in 2012 and reach 3% this year – slower economic activity will significantly limit gains in labor market, while declining consumer sentiment suggests that – at least for part of buyers – saving instead of consumption will be of a higher priority. Slowing economic activity, lower sales and persistently high levels of uncertainty surrounding Lithuanian businesses will persuade employers pursuing conservative position regarding hiring additional staff – according to estimations of Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, the majority of biggest Lithuanian manufacturing companies – 70% – plan to keep the amount of staff unchanged in the nearest future, while 16% of companies have plans to hire new employees. This suggests that unemployment will remain quite high by historical standards, dropping slightly from 15.4% in 2011 to 13% in 2012. In turn, elevated unemployment coupled with cooling economic climate will continue to weigh on wages. It is worth mentioning that Lithuanian businesses have successfully regained their cost competitiveness during recession as a result of internal devaluation (decline in wages and other business expenditures). So far, the companies have managed to remain cost-competitive during economic upturn, as real labor productivity grew by 3.6% in 2011, while real wages have dropped by 1.8%. After rising to 4.1% in 2011, we expect inflation to moderate this year and to slow to 2.5% – worsening economic conditions will have their impact on formation on wages and prices, while gradual decline in majority of global commodity prices should also support the slowdown in inflation. Nonetheless, loosening of monetary policies and gradually stabilizing economic conditions in the euro zone (which so far has been the biggest threat to the world economy) is likely to revitalize economic sentiments and feed in the global commodity prices at the end 2012, which may support acceleration in inflation in Lithuania at the end of the year.

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Trakai is a historic city and lake resort in Lithuania

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| 17 Photo: K. Fedirka. www.fotoskrydis.lt

EXPLORING “HOME MARKET” OPPORTUNITIES: MULTIFOLD BENEFIT AND PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE

Sigitas BRAZINSKAS, Commerical Attaché of the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in the Kingdom of Sweden

he Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland) have close ties with the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) and became a launching pad for business. Nordic and other multinational companies wishing to establish and explore in the region and further in Eastern Europe have found the Baltic countries to be an excellent base of operations. And in reverse, the Baltic countries companies looking

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for a higher integration degree to global value chains have explored business ties with Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland. A new concept in region’s business has emerged recently. “Home market” becomes a common meaning when business people describe market opportunities in the Nordic region. It is treated as a “home market” for companies within these countries. Such

approach creates positive views and tremendous business opportunities as companies interact within a dynamically developing, competitive and stable region. Lithuania has already had deep business ties with Latvia and Estonia. It was facilitated through legacy of available experience before 1990’s. This was successfully maintained later on where the growing Lithuania’s competitiveness has led to further business development towards innovative and technology driven Nordic region. Lithuania’s trade with other Nordic and Baltic countries account more than 20 % of its total foreign trade. Cumulative foreign direct investments (FDI) from Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Estonia and Latvia to Lithuania already compile 38 % of its total FDI, the leading investor is Sweden with 14 % of all investments (Statistics Lithuania, 2011). The key factors driving Lithuania’s international business development are, inter alia, growing per capita income, competitive costs in manufacturing, low investor risk, financial stability and institutional strength. Figures and business success stories speak for themselves: Lithuania has became an attracting business partner in the region and worldwide. The country’s latest development and fast recovery after the 20092010 world economic crisis was fostered by close integration towards Nordic region, growing exports and inward investments, stable financial system. Future prospects seem to be optimistic. The region is among the most stable, uniting common efforts in economic development through tightened business links in different sectors: energy, transport, trade, investments, tourism, research and development. Lithuania has much to offer for international business: starting from sectors with high value added and innovation driven such as information technologies and solutions, lasers, renewable energy and waste management, medical treatment, shared service operations and ending with traditional but not less important such as apparel, industrial engineering, furniture, food processing where these manufacturing sectors also demand innovations and technologies as well as contribute to growing competitiveness and multifold benefit. Lithuania has made remarkable progress in infrastructure and provides with exceptional advantages for foreign business such as the world’s fastest Internet upload speed and Europe’s highest fiber optic density and mobile e-signature (InvestLithuania, 2012).

Strategic projects in energy and transport will give an additional speed up to region’s integration and investments. The aim of NordBalt project is to construct an interconnection between region’s electric power systems. It is scheduled for launching into operation by 2015. Developing Visaginas nuclear power plant will require huge expertise in environmental management technologies, constructions, safety where Nordic companies can find enormous cooperation opportunities. Renewable energy, waste to energy are other areas for investments and growing interest. Lithuania was positioning itself as a transport hub and bridge with well established infrastructure and significant investments since last decades. It is evident, now it comes time when it pays off. East-West Transport Corridor, operating shuttle train Viking with an attractive name in Scandinavia, first railway connection Saule from Far East to Europe, ice-free Klaipeda port and international airports in Lithuania create a unique synergy in logistic advantages. Lithuania’s companies presence at trade fairs in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland through balanced and diversified sectors such as tourism, fashion, furniture, food processing, engineering, renewable energy is growing steadily. Embassy of Lithuania in Stockholm and the commercial section facilitate business development by providing information, consultations and organizing events. According to the latest trends, when it comes to business inquiries from Scandinavian companies, their largest interest is directed towards identification of partners in apparel, printing, building materials. Another trend that IT, operational centers started being established in Lithuania widely. Lithuanian companies are interested in partner search in Nordic countries as well, activities are followed by awareness of legal procedures, companies establishment and specific sector requirements. One of the next activity stages will focus at facilitation in areas which demand and can share innovation approach: communication between hubs, arrangements of target companies visits and workshops. A deeper integration between countries and companies will be fostered by explored innovations and services. This is a future prospect. Growing internal integration within the Nordic and Baltic region will further strengthen its competitiveness through synergy created by existing and developing knowledge, technologies, available multiple capital, attractive costs and other advantages for doing business.

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Promoting environmental business is among the priority areas of Nordic Council of Ministers office in Lithuania

Director of The Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Lithuania, Mr. Bo Harald Tillberg

In regard to Nordic-Baltic co-operation, a fine example of branding Nordic countries in Lithuania and fostering future perspectives was the “Best in Lithuania” talks with Mr Bo Harald Tillberg, Director of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Lithuania, the first diplomatic office to open in the country after Lithuania regained independence 21 years ago.

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The Nordic Ecolabel - effective and simple marketing tool that is a guarantee that products have fulfilled environmental criteria

BiL What is the role of the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania and what aspects of cooperation between Nordic countries and Lithuania would you emphasise as the most important? The Office of the Nordic Council of Ministers in Lithuania was established in 1991 to represent the Nordic Council of Ministers, which is the forum of cooperation for the governments of the five Nordic countries, and to develop Nordic-Lithuanian cooperation. It has sister offices in Riga and Tallinn as well as in St Petersburg and Kaliningrad. The Baltic and Nordic countries are close neighbours and work together for the benefit of the whole Baltic Sea Region. Key areas denominated for cooperation include Cross-border Cooperation; Research and Education; Innovation Policy, information technology, social and health Issues, environment and sustainable development. The Office of the Nordic Council of Ministers in Lithuania acts as a liaison point between the Nordic Ministerial Councils and Lithuanian Ministries and other official bodies. It also provides general information about the Nordic countries and cooperation with them, we promote Nordic culture in Lithuania and the office administers several Nordic Council of Ministers exchange programmes and other projects in Lithuania. BiL Among the grant programmes administered by your office, are there any that include the possibility of funding for Lithuanian business, and under what conditions? Yes, one such programme is the Nordic-Baltic Mobility Programme for Business and Industry. It has been established for the period 2009â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2013 to promote and strengthen economic cooperation, entrepreneurship and innovative development in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The programme gives financial support to various stakeholders in the fields of business and industry to carry out study visits, internships, training or network activ-

ities in the NB8 countries. In 2011, an amount of more than two million Danish kroner (about 900 thousand litas) was allocated for this programme. Last year only 7 companies made use of the programme to ease their budget burden for work trips and networking, so this is an area where business could more actively seek assistance. There was a total of 72 applications under the programme in 2011 , most of which did receive some financial support. The current deadline for applications under the programme is 30 March 2012. Specific sector priority areas in 2012, aimed at global markets, especially in creative, innovative and knowledge-based industries, are green growth, entrepreneurship and young entrepreneurs, business incubator network and promoting cluster cooperation. This particular funding programme focuses on initiatives aimed at identifying and removing barriers to trade and mobility within the Nordic-Baltic region. Initiatives in other sectors and areas may be supported as well. BiL The Nordic countries are often mentioned as leaders in socially responsive and environment-friendly business. Could their experience in this area be, or maybe already is of interest to Lithuania? Well, Green demands create green measures. While the words â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;green economyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are quickly becoming the catchphrase of governments across the world, the Nordic countries are taking their green economy further than ever. Nordic region have talked for years about the fact that growth and sustainability do not contradict each other. Nordic parliamentarians make new laws and focus on how to incorporate the fight against climate change, efforts for a better environment and the shaping of solid business practices more than ever. Things are also looking greener in the private sector. Each Nordic state has a different focus on the green economy, but the region shares the need and the willingness to gain the best sustain-

able economic growth for the future. Our office has recently implemented a project on Eco-labelling as an effective tool to achieve sustainable business success. The widely recognised Nordic Swan label now appears on 65 product groups and 6,000 products, from paper and washing powder to toys, hotels and bio-fuels. The survey carried out by the Swedish Trade Council on eco-labelling in the Baltic states and Northwest Russia showed that Lithuanian business believes that eco-labelling would increase export sales. Results also showed relatively low knowledge about eco-labelling in Lithuania, although 65 per cent of the companies could name at least one eco-label, e.g. the Nordic Swan label, the German Blue Angel label or the EU Flower. The Swan eco-label is one of the most successful and well-known outcomes of Nordic co-operation and I believe it will definitely have a positive impact and certain benefits for businesses in Lithuania. I can see that Lithuanian business could sell products better on the Nordic market using the Nordic eco-label. BiL In your opinion, what are the perspectives for future cooperation between the Nordic and the Baltic countries? Are the priorities clear? The Baltic Sea area has huge economic potential. Nordic countries have contributed a lot to the Lithuanian economy through investments. I believe the NB8 countries are addressing the relevant challenges such as energy, environment, technology and society, and Nordic-Lithuanian cooperation is likely to deepen. In deciding upon priorities for the cooperation with the Baltic countries, the Nordic Council of Ministers is guided by a fundamental steering document: Nordic Council of Ministers Guidelines for Co-operation with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Any new steering document will continue to build upon existing, effective and well-established co-operation in areas where further work is considered to be of mutual benefit.

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KlaipÄ&#x2014;da Seaport is seeing off the sun

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| 23 Photo: K. Fedirka. www.fotoskrydis.lt

Activity of Durapart UAB is based on partnership and long-term co-operation The activity of the company Durapart Industries is based on ensuring long-term relations with the clients and reciprocal trust. Perhaps this is the reason why the Company has preserves its first client up to now. Durapart UAB in Lithuania sticks to the same principles too.

urapart UAB in Lithuania is a subsidiary company of Durapart Industries AS operating in Norway. The Headquarters are located in Norway, and manufacturing enterprises are founded in Lithuania and Mexico. The Lithuanian enterprise mainly services the European region, whereas the Mexican enterprise services the markets of North and South Americas. Since the development strategy pursued by the Company is to grow together with the clients, it is planned to establish a manufacturing enterprise in India too, seeking to provide the Asian region with its products. The name Durapart consists of two English words ‘durable partner’. Since 1979, when the first production was put on the market, co-oper24 |

Jūratė Mockuvienė

ation has been preserved with the very first clients. This world-scale Company can take pride in the activity lasting for more than 30 years. The Lithuanian enterprise was established in 2001. “Since that time successful co-operation has been developed with both the parent Company and with the clients, and we can say with confidence that we are longterm and reliable partners“, stated Director and a member of the Board of the Company Nerijus Olšauskas.

tems for heavy vehicle industry. Main clients of the Company are manufacturers of buses, trucks and construction equipment.

Products

All products manufactured at the enterprise are exported. The geography of export is very wide: Sweden, Finland, Russia, Belgium, Poland, Germany, France, the USA, Canada,

Durapart UAB in Lithuania manufactures cable harnesses and electromechanical sys-

According to the Director of the Company, all principal processes of the activity are carried out in Lithuania – from devising technical projects and industrialisation, a search for suppliers, control of quality, industrial and technological processes and management, internal and external logistics to organising the presentation of the product to the client.

Korea, China, New Zealand and Australia. Brazil and India are also served from Lithuania at present time. Quite complicated manually assembled products are sent to the best factories of commercial vehicles of the world. The production of the enterprise is specialised and differs greatly from the market of light vehicles, which is noted for stability of production, large batches totalling to hundreds of thousands items. Durapart UAB manufactures medium-sized and small batches of goods. This is a wide assortment of products and complicated products adapted to the clients and modified. Within a year more than 3000 products of different completing are manufactured for which nearly 4000 different components are used by implementing on average 3-4 new products daily. The heavy commercial vehicles industry differs in that from the light commercial vehicles industry. Furthermore, innovations are constantly being implemented in this industry therefore new technological solutions and close co-operation with the clients is necessary. „Flexibility in reorganising production, the necessity to adapt it to the needs of the clients, to fulfil and even to exceed the clients’ expectations of quality and accuracy of presenting the products are strong points of the enterprise, which guarantee long-term co-operation and reliability”, said Nerijus Olšauskas. Certified quality management and environmental protection systems that comply with ISO 9001, ISO/TS 16949 and ISO 14001 standards have been introduced in the enterprise. Logistics systems were given the highest rating according to AIAG and Odette world logistics evaluation model MMOG/LE. Only as little as 0.001% of presented production falls short of the client’s quality requirements.

Significant from the social point of view Durapart UAB is of great significance to Panevėžys region from the social point of view. As many as 530 workers are employed at the plant occupying 10 thousand square metres. Great attention is paid to creating safe jobs. The certified Occupational Health and Safety Management System OHSAS 18001 has been introduced in the enterprise, principles of social responsibility are

followed, the trade union of workers operates there, a collective agreement has been signed. In 2008, Durapart UAB was also hit by a world crisis and it had to reduce its production by as much as 40 per cent. In 2011, the Company managed to reach the pre-crisis level without losing a single client. On the contrary, the circle of clients even widened. During the crisis the number of workers was reduced down to 400, and the number of workers in the best days of the Company totalled 620 people. At the present time the number is optimal, which has been achieved taking the road of improving production efficiency and applying the world-recognised ‘Lean’ principles when higher value to the

client is created using smaller resources thus increasing its competitive edge. According to the Head of the Company, in the immediate future the quality of services is going to be further improved, a widening circle of clients is going to be serviced even more efficiently and the Company is going to grow together with them.

www.durapart.com | 25

The leader of metal processing in Lithuania The private company Umega prides itself on its rich and long lasting traditions in the areas of machine manufacturing and metal processing. It is now one of the largest metal processing companies in Lithuania, which consists of three departments: • Umega (Agricultural machinery department), • SNOL department (incorporated in 2004), • Vienybe department (incorporated in 2009). Umega exports the major part of its products to the markets in EU and the Commonwealth of Independent States, where the sales and service network has been developed. The company runs three subsidiaries: • SNOL – TERM Ltd in Russia, • SNOLBel Ltd in Belarus, • SNOLUkraine Ltd in Ukraine. The Company Umega pays particular attention to the product development by

26 |

using advanced technologies and scientific progress in order to meet individual needs of the user. Highly-qualified staff and premium materials result in excellent quality and durability of manufactured products. Umega has the following product groups in the company: agricultural machinery, forestry machinery, heating equipment (domestic and industrial), low-pressure compressors (blowers), valves and rings for piston-type compressors, laboratory and industrial furnaces, storage constructions, jerry cans. Umega guarantees high quality, reliability and a short order fulfillment time.

www.umega.lt

Plastic and rubber production enterprise

STIGMA

rivate Company Stigma UAB is one of the largest manufacturers of plastic and rubber products in Lithuania. Its products come under the names of the companies that are well-known in the world. First and foremost, as far back as 1987, Stigma UAB entered the Russian market supplying it with plastic and rubber car parts. Later the subsidiary Stigma NN UAB was established in Nizhny Novgorod. It also produces assembly car parts made of plastic, and supplies Russian car manufacturing industry with them. These parts find themselves straight on the assembly lines of two largest car manufacturers in Russia. In 2011, the turnover of Stigma NN amounted to 5.9 million Euros. Furthermore, Stigma UAB provides Russian car manufacturing industry with electronic components and equipment acquired in different countries. At the present time it is one of the largest suppliers of goods of this type in Russia. Since 1999 the Company has begun to supply the Swedish market with plastic and rubber products. The assortment of products has been gradually expanding. Now, on order of well-known Swedish enterprises, Stigma manufactures table ice-hockey games, sledges, plastic parts for garden tools and small tractors, as well as production for military industry. As little as 7 per cent of the total production manufactured by the Company is made and sold on orders of Lithuanian enterprises. As much as 27 per cent is exported to Russia and 66 per cent goes to the Swedish market. In 2010, the production sold by the Company totalled 9 million Euros and in 2011 Stigma UAB reached an annual turnover of 12,5 million Euros.

Since 1993 the Company has delivered products to its customers in Russia and some part of its production to Sweden by its own transport. Since customers sell production manufactured by Stigma UAB in different countries, at request of the customers the Company organises the dispatch of this production directly to their clients. Stigma UAB uses casting machinery of different capacities whose press force ranges from 40 to 1632 tons. This enables parts whose weight is between 0.2 g and 10800 g to be manufactured. Recently the Company purchased four new casting machines, expanded and plans to further expand its warehousing area. At the present time about 30 per cent of free industrial capacities make the Company move forwards and look for new orders. The Company has been certified according to ISO 9001:2008 (since 2001), ISO 14001:2004 (since 2003), ISO/TS 16949:2009 (since 2010) requirements. Long and wide experience, constantly improving highly-qualified staff, high-quality products, competitive prices, the exact delivery time and good reputation earned the Company the position of the leader. However, Stigma UAB does not stop at that, quality demands constant improvement.

www.stigma.lt

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ARLANGA pvc that is well-known in Scandinavia invites everyone to stay with it Company ARLANGA pvc, which produces plastic windows from German profiles REHAU, offers the market products made of 86 mm and 120 mm deep window profiles systems GENEO and NORDIC DESIGN PLUS that are best in terms of energy available in the market at the present time, which enable windows that keep heat in to be manufactured. Jūratė Mockuvienė

ince 2004 Company ARLANGA pvc has used profiles of the leading German polymer products concern REHAU that is well-known in Europe for manufacturing windows and doors. Their variety enables the Company to present need-based solutions for all cases: from systems for traditional windows to certified systems of energy efficient houses. GENEO and NORDIC DESIGN PLUS are fully reinforced profile constructions, which have excellent static properties, which are achieved without the use of steel. In this way thermal bridges that cause heat losses are avoided. At the same time this is the best protection against break-in, and it is the best noise insulation.

the Association of Danish Window Manufacturers. “We were the first window manufacturers to be accepted to the Association by the Danish window manufacturers. We are really proud of that. However, this is not only an evaluation but also an obligation not to stop working, to go on seeking for the best”, spoke Audronė Intienė and added: “We are of the same level and in the same information system as Danish window manufacturers. We sometimes even receive letters from the customers written in the Danish language”. Products of ARLANGA pvc are certified in Denmark therefore experts of that country constantly check and supervise their quality. More is sold in Denmark

Veteran of activity The manufacturer of plastic windows ARLANGA pvc UAB started its activities in 1999. Constantly improving and implementing advanced German technologies in production lines, investing in new equipment, the Company ensured high quality of products. Professional skills of the employees, their dutifulness, their responsible attitude to work guaranteed an ever increasing circle of customers. “We offer quality, service, fast, accurate order fulfilment, an acceptable prices to the customers”, stated the Director of the Company Audronė Intienė and added the following: - “therefore our motto “Let us stay together” means not only our desire to co-operate but also the proof that due to high quality of products and flexibility of services we can extend that co-operation for a long time”. ARLANGA pvc UAB produces European type (inward opening) and Scandinavian type (outward opening) windows. Manufacture of windows meets the valid standards; all products are labelled with CE marking, which testifies to the product satisfying the requirements laid down in the EU directives. By the way, in 2010, the Company became a member of 28 |

In 2004, the Company started co-operating with the Norwegians, and the following year relations with the partners from Denmark were already established. After Lithuania had joined the European Union matters improved even more. Step by step co-operation expanded. NORDIC DESIGN profile system offered by the German Concern REHAU suited the Scandinavian, the so-called Nordic countries, market perfectly in which outward opening windows noted for the elements of traditional style were in great demand. The profiles suited both the renovation of old buildings and the new ones because they corresponded to their design used since olden times. According to the Deputy Director of the Company, this helped the Company enter the Scandinavian market. ARLANGA pvc offers a great variety of highquality house door systems for houses: tilt up/opening, sliding, folding doors, etc. At the present time the Company exports the largest part of its products to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Latvia and other European countries, such as Ireland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Spain. As much as 15 per cent of the Company’s products remain in Lithuania.

According to Audronė Intienė, in 2011 the Company achieved the best results within the activity of the Company since its establishment, which were obtained due to the increased volumes of export. Last year the turnover grew by about 20 per cent. This year gives high hopes too, though the situation in Europe is rather indefinite. For everyone’s taste and style The Company offers its customers products of various shapes: triangular, rectangular and oval windows or individually designed arches for windows and doors. At a customer’s request – with window muntins made of one or more parts, with different ways of opening. A customer can choose the colour from an especially great variety of colours offered. The customer himself/herself has to decide whether to choose pasted window films (of wood texture and universal shades), shades of varnish, or profiles covered with aluminium coated profiles. All profiles are resistant to weather and environmental phenomena, they do not fade and are easy to maintain. The Company also offers windows with maximum noise insulation. Different acoustic insulation requirements are set to apartment houses or offices located in a busy place from, for example, the requirements set to a house built somewhere in the yard. State-of-the-art technologies and reliable partners, co-operation with demanding customers make the Company improve and implement its solutions, which might seem impossible at first glance. ARLANGA pvc is open to proposals and can meet even the most difficult challenges.

www.arlanga.lt

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be together!

WINDOWS and doors SYSTEMs

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AD REM TRANSPORT: more than forwarding Darius Brekys, Head of the Business Centre AD REM TRANSPORT

D REM GRUPĖ is a logistics company “riding” four elephants: international cargo transportation by all types of transport, warehousing, custom brokerage and a real estate development.

Business centre AD REM TRANSPORT is a constituent part of AD REM Group creating the largest part of the turnover of all companies of the group. Freight is transported by trucks, ships, railway and airplanes. The fastest developing freight transportation line is the only one among the Scandinavian countries, the Baltic States and the countries of the CIS. Trucks from Sweden and Denmark to Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, other Caspian Sea countries and Middle Asia travel on the weekly basis. Freight from Scandinavia is shipped from different terminals several times a week. This means that a large amount of freight ensures a stable high quality system of split cargo (LTL). We often employ the intermodal shipping method: we bring freight by trucks from Sweden to the terminal of Vilniaus Tranzitas. AD REM TRANSPORT uses trucks and railway for shipping to the countries of the CIS, Mongolia and China. AD REM TRANSPORT employees speak Lithuanian, English and Russian fluently, therefore we are able to provide updated information about the movement of freight both to the shippers in Sweden and consignees in the Baltic and CIS countries. Warehouses of VILNIAUS TRANZITAS are located at the distance of 32 km from the EU border with Belarus, and it is quite natural that transit cargo documents are prepared flawlessly. Apart from traditional cargo, we carry out oversize cargo projects and render movers’ services. The last oversize project was carried out in the late 2010. A 281 ton gas turbine for Lietuvos Elektrinė was transported by sea and railway. We render movers’ services to both natural and legal persons. The largest client is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania. Transportation of personal belongings of the diplomats is our daily activity. We transport animals, musical instruments and art objects with great enthusiasm. Piano LT is one of our oldest clients. As a constituent part of AD REM Group, business centre AD REM TRANSPORT encompases warehousing business and services of customs mediation with a large number of customers beyond the borders of Lithuania. AD REM PORT subdivision in Klaipėda Seaport cooperates closely with AD REM LEZ (warehouses in the free economic zone situated close to Kaunas-Klaipėda highway). AD REM employs 283 workers, including 49 people employed by AD REM TRANSPORT. Our slogan “More Than Forwarding” refers to the fact that freight expediting is and will always be our main, but not the only sphere of business. 30 ||

www.adrem.lt

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There is no alternative to wooden windows Modern wooden windows distinguish themselves in aesthetics, design and they create the impression of cosiness in your home. Jūratė Mockuvienė

he private company Roda UAB established in 1991 has been manufacturing wooden windows, doors and even houses up to now. The Head of the Company that started its activities at the dawn of independence ensures that there have been no great revolutions in this business but the most important thing is to manufacture high quality products and to hear what the customer wants. “By satisfying the customer’s expectations and implementing projects qualitatively and on time we have earned the name of a reliable and responsible company. This inspires and encourages us to create new ideas and to foresee new perspectives in the sphere of our activity. Therefore we say that success of our business is determined by trust and professional partnership”, this is how the Director of Roda UAB Nerijus Kralikauskas characterises the strategy of the Company’s activity. The Company specialises in the sphere of manufacturing wooden windows and doors. The growing sphere of activity is wooden prefabricated panel houses. For the reason that the Company invests in technologies and human resources, today Roda has become one of the most viable companies in this sphere in Lithuania. It is among the five hundred companies in this sphere in Europe, which have underwent the most extensive and intensive development. According to its manager, this is the most significant evaluation. 32 |

Investments improve the quality of products The authorities of Roda UAB devote especially great attention to investments in production technologies. One of the most significant goals in 2012 is mounting of an automated dyeing line covering an area of 1800 square meters. Modernisation of the dyeing process will enable labour efficiency to be increased considerably, and it will reduce expenses to cover energy costs. Implementation of new technologies will not only enable the Company to ensure the highest quality of products to the customers but also will allow the Company to create more comfortable working conditions to its employees. Development and modernisation of business are related to the principal objectives of the Company which the name of the Com-

Closed doors are fixed in three points and winter-proof fillings are put inside them.

Export to Scandinavia The largest part of the Company’s production is exported to Scandinavia: Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. Export also reaches Iceland, Great Britain, Germany, Russia, Poland, Latvia. Roda’s wooden prefabricated panel houses are in great demand in Norway, Denmark and Germany. All products manufactured by Roda have quality certificates ISO 9001:2000, DVS, CE, FSC. This testifies to the fact that the Company maintains the highest quality of production and services and complies with all technical requirements set to production processes and compliance establishment. pany signifies: R stands for insistence on a high standard (reiklumas in Lithuanian); O stands for orientation towards the customer’s needs and their exact fulfilment; D stands for industriousness (darbštumas in Lithuanian), assurance of good results. A stands for responsibility (atsakomybė in Lithuanian) towards the customers, partners, society and laws.

Tastes of customers change More and more people are changing their tastes and understanding therefore

in place of plastic windows they choose wooden ones, which distinguish themselves not only in aesthetics but also in high quality and high thermal resistance. Roda windows are opened inwards, locks of high quality are installed, and also glass packages of different kinds are put. At the customer’s request windows can be painted in different colours. Another product of especially high quality that the Company manufactures is single or two-leaved doors to go outside or on the terrace made of glued timber. They can be opened inwards and outwards.

The mission of the Company is to actively contribute to saving the environment. Roda achieves that by improving its products: by assuring high thermal resistance, using only certificated materials, improving methods of working and modernising the production process.

www.roda.lt | 33

Lietuvos rytas Printing house â&#x20AC;&#x201C; quality, services, reliability

he Lietuvos rytas Printing House is the largest printing house in Lithuania and the Baltic States, and an important enterprise in Central Europe. Established in 1994 the Lietuvos rytas Printing House started its activities with printing newspapers and gradually it grew in accordance with the needs of the market. In almost twenty years of functioning the company earned its customers trust . At the present time over 100 titles of magazines, 50 titles of newspapers, retail publications and other kinds of production are printed there. The authorities of the enterprise pursue the policy of constant investment in new technologies.

Socially responsible enterprise The conclusions of the social audit carried out by the international company Intertek according to the Sedex smeta method at the end of January 2011 state that the Lietuvos rytas Printing House meets all most important requirements in the field of labour rights and work organisation, safety and health at work and in the sphere of environmental protection.

34 ||

Export Export accounts for about 45 per cent of the production being manufactured. Lietuvos Rytas Printing House has customers in Russia, Belarus, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Italy, Czech Republic and other countries.

Production The prepress and quality management divisions operate in the Printing House. The Printing House is divided into two manufacturing enterprises according to printing technologies.

Vievis Printing plant – cold set A new newspaper printing plant covering an area of more than 12 thousand square meters started its activities in Vievis in 2008. The printing machine Man- Roland consisting of 3 towers Regioman and 1 tower Geoman is mounted there. Full colour newspapers – tabloid and broadsheet consisting of up to 64 pages in one pass are printed in 75 000 copies per hour. The newspaper completing line Ferag AG, an eight-section insert line (up to 8 inserts), one drum; a stitching in-line and off-line, as well as single wrapping in plastic operate in the Printing House. At the present time the Vievis plant co-operates with local publishers and expands relations with business partners all over Europe, customers in the European Union, the Baltic States, Russia and Belarus.

Skaidiškės plant – commercial web High quality magazines, brochures, catalogues, newspapers of trading centres are printed there. Printing facilities are assembled on the “back up” principle. This ensures the fulfilment of any order. Equipment Commercial web (HSWO): -Heidelberg M600: 16 pages. Cut off 630 mm / gluing in line 6/8/12/16/ 24 pages -MAN-Rotoman– 16 pages . Cut off 630 mm/ gluing in line 8/12/16 pages -GOSS M600C - 16 pages. Cut off 625 mm Sheet fed: -Heidelberg CD 720 × 1020 / 6+L / Dry Star / Cut Star -Heidelberg CD 720 × 1020 /6+L Finishing Perfect binding – 2 lines, 15+1 gathering sections Stitching - 3 lines, up to 10 gathering sections UV coating Single copy wrapping

Delivery Production to the Scandinavian countries is delivered as follows: shipped on Tuesday – delivered on Thursday/Friday (depending on the region); shipped on Friday – delivered Monday/Tuesday (depending on the region).

print.lrytas.lt || 35

SELJE LOGISTIKA UAB your reliable supplier of professional and corporate wear

e offer a wide range of high quality products, from functional underwear to uniforms and sophisticated protective clothing. Our garments have been successfully used by the Norwegian army, the customs, police, fire and road departments. Banks, hotels, airlines, taxi associations, and school music bands are also among our highly respected clients. Our peculiarity lies in offering our customers a full package of services, such as product development, flexible manufacturing 36 |

possibilities, quality assurance that meets international standards, stock management both in Lithuania and Norway, and logistics solutions best fitting our customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; particular needs. We work in close co-operation with wellknown, recognized and innovative Lithuanian textile and clothing producers, designers, Lithuanian and foreign fabric suppliers, transport companies, as well as with accredited textile institutes and laboratories.

We are looking forward to becoming your trusted partner.

info@seljelogistika.lt

Schmitz Cargobull Baltic offers special products to the Scandinavian market The German capital company Schmitz Cargobull Baltic operating in Lithuania offers the Scandinavian market specific products, which are in line with the subtleties of transportation and trade of the Nordic countries. Jūratė Mockuvienė

Schmitz Cargobull Baltic produces isothermal bodies, trailers, semitrailers and articulated road trains intended for carrying different goods and products. The managers of the Company see the Nordic countries as a highly potential market. If at the present time about 20-30 per cent of the products are exported to the Scandinavian countries, within the immediate five years this percentage is expected to increase considerably. Alongside trailers and semi-trailers intended for carrying customary cargoes, trailers and semi-trailers intended for carrying cargoes that need a certain temperature regime have been started to be manufactured. These products are expected to be put on the market in 2013.

Trust in partners The Director for Commerce of Scandinavian Schmitz Cargobull Skandinavien Kim Aaskov drew attention to the fact that co-operation with the related Lithuanian company that has been developed since 2002 intensified sharply in 2004. The interlocutor hopes that co-operation will be carried on in the future too because it is mutually beneficial. It is Schmitz Cargobull Baltic that was the main partner and representative in the entire Baltic region. Production of the Lithuanian Company is in great demand in the Scandinavian market. Hence Schmitz Cargobull Nordics and Schmitz Cargobull Baltic can, without doubt, look at the future together and expect close and increasing co-operation. “It is important to underline that during several years Schmitz Cargobull Baltic managed to create products adapted specially to the Scandinavian market and meet the customers’ needs. Due to innovative thinking the managers of the Company distinguish themselves in the exceptional feature – to surpass the market”, stated Kin Aaskov. 38 |

Semi-trailers of exceptional construction The Company has implemented the project totalling 1.3 million Euros in value that was partly financed from the EU funds and created isothermal bodies of tilt- and curtainsider trailers. Such trailers can carry different products: from wood, metal or paper rolls to fast perishable food products or medicines, as well as other different goods. Cargoes are loaded at the back into the standard bodies of trailers or semi-trailers, whereas isothermal bodies of new generation can be loaded at the back and from the side, as well as from any place. The conditions of loading itself have become simpler. This can be done at logistics centres from ramps or simply in a forest where there are no ramps at all and the cargo will be possible to be lifted straight from the ground through the side. These products of new generation should be attractive to cargo-carrying companies namely by universality of loading. According to the Director for Commerce of the Company Andrius Eiva, Schmitz Cargobull Baltic can manufacture trailers and semitrailers, which could carry dry products, and refrigerators in which temperature ranging from plus 20 degrees to minus 20 degrees is maintained. “We receive larger orders because the factory’s capacities available allow the product that is of high quality and meets the customer’s needs exactly to be manufactured”, Andrius Eiva emphasised the exceptionality of the Company.

“Fix and go” becomes a reality Schmitz Cargobull Baltic carries on co-operation with motor car manufacturers Volvo and Scania and offers them “fix and go” solutions. This means that no trucks from the Scandinavian countries will be needed to be sent to collect the product, and the necessary components will be delivered straight to the customers. “The Company can prepare separate components of the product, which would turn into means of transportation within 2-3 hours”, Andrius Eiva presented the essence of the new project in brief. The Company co-operates closely on this issue with sales organisations of the products in Sweden and Denmark. This is a vision, which is gradually becoming reality and it will be presented at the International Exhibition held in Sweden in August. This technical solution would enable funds and time to be saved. More than a decade lasting co-operation with such world famous companies as Carlsberg, Schenker and the largest trailer rental company PNO testifies to the fact that Schmitz Cargobull Balticworks qualitatively, efficiently and flexibly. “Co-operation with the Scandinavian partners improved culture of our factory, made us satisfy quality requirements much more thoroughly,” said Andrius Eiva. The most essential accents of the industrial process are directed towards safety of fastening cargoes and qualitative distribution.

www.cargobull.com | 39

The biggest WPC profiles production factory in the Baltics

The Lithuanian capital company InterVilža celebrates the 20th anniversary with new business prospects. The largest factory of profiles from wood-plastic composites in the Baltic States has successfully filled the market with innovative technology products known under a common brand name InoWood®. WPC is increasingly becoming a useful substitute for exotic wood used for the exterior of buildings designing the house exterior – for hardwood from far-away countries, Siberian larch, as well as oak, ash or other kind of timber, which requires special preparation and care. WPC is resistant to time, humidity, cold, mold, fungi, wood-gnawing pests, does not fade in the sun. Even wet boards are not slippery, do not deform, do not crack, the surface remains smooth and does not fissure. It is safe to walk barefoot on such terraces - feet will not get injured by wood chips, no fastening elements – nails and screws – will be visible. 40 ||

The products from wood-plastic composite with a soft and smooth surface and with the smell of wood do not differ from products made of natural wood, and because of great aesthetic and performance features this material is often called the “eternal wood”. Intervilza produces WPC profiles for three different applications: InoDeck® - terraces and decking profiles system InoSide® - wall cladding profiles system; InoFence® - fencing profiles system.

www.inowood.eu

www.intervilza.lt

| 41

The sister met her brother: the confluence of the Neris and the Nemunas in Kaunas

42 |

| 43 Photo: K. Fedirka. www.fotoskrydis.lt

CONSTRUCTION FROM FOUNDATION TO THE KEY pastata is safely and quickly growing construction company from TauragÄ&#x2014;, southwestern region of Lithuania. Founded in 1992, it has 20 years of work experience which is the main asset of the company. Apastata is a DNV ISO certified organization, a member of the Lithuanian Business Association and it has already earned its reputation as an experienced, responsible and reliable business company but it is always striving to improve and become a well-known construction company abroad. Apastata can offer a wide package of different construction services beginning with general contracting and ending with finishing works. Building specialists of the Company have great experience in new construction, reconstruction, renovation, internal and external finishing works so they can ensure the highest quality of timely provided services. Apastata also specializes in manufacture of metal structures. It produces different metal structures that are used in manufacture and construction industries. It also offers traditional tent shape 44 |

storage halls made from easy to assemble steel frame covered with PVC, metal or sandwich panels equipped with lighting, ventilation systems, a fire escape and an automatic entrance door. Apastata has already built such warehouses not only in Lithuania but also in Norway. The Company is looking forward to working with clients abroad. Apastata is always looking for new and better ways of acting in construction business. It is constantly searching for new products and services it could offer, new building materials and technologies it could use, new markets it could get into. Hence, wide experience and consistent striving for improvement and progress is the pledge of success of Apastata.

www.apastata.lt

| 45

Lanksti linija UAB knows how to create beauty from metal

It is not easy to obtain beauty and precision when making things from metal. However, the fact that the Swedish concern IKEA has chosen Lithuanian private company Lanksti linija UAB since 2001 proves that the Company has managed to outstrip other competitors and has forged ahead both in its innovativeness and effectiveness.

roducts of Lanksti Linija UAB are industrial and everyday items made from sheet steel and different tubes. Custom made complicated constructions are also manufactured. At the present time the Company employs a team consisting of 110 specialists who are ready to offer solutions that fulfil the customer’s needs and requirements most effectively. This is a medium-sized Lithuanian Company, which plays an important role of a socially responsible enterprise in Lithuania’s district, in Alytus.

IKEA is a loyal partner According to the Director General of the Company Gintarė Blažienė, the Swedish concern IKEA has accompanied the Company since the very beginning of its 46 |

activities up to the present day. As much as 65 per cent of the Company’s production goes to this partner, the remaining part is shared between other different customers from Germany and the Scandinavian countries. Export accounts for about 90 per cent of products. With the help of IKEA the Company’s production reaches the entire world: the European Union countries, China, Russia, Turkey, and the USA. Armoured doors are the only product that is left exclusively in Lithuania. It can be summed up as follows: the Company manufactures metal furniture and various metal components: different kinds of furniture and its constituent parts that have a special purpose, pieces of office furniture , accessories and fittings, metal frames for chairs. According to IKEA philosophy, the buyer can easily assemble a piece of furniture from separate parts by himself if he chooses necessary parts and colours, as well

Jūratė Mockuvienė

as upholstery of the product that he/she likes. “We manufacture everything that we can make from a sheet of metal or a tube” says Gintarė Blažienė.

Production is constantly being modernised The Company pays great attention to innovations. At the present time the investment project totalling 3 million litas in value, which is partly financed from the European Union structural funds, is being implemented. In the course of carrying out the project the Facilities Park will be expanded, tube and sheet metal processing equipment will be purchased and working conditions of the employees will be improved. Currently, apart from other metal processing techniques, metal is cut by means of a laser cutting machine. The concentrated laser beam can cut any kind

of metal or alloys despite their thermal and physical properties. Laser cutting is very accurate therefore it is used when manufacturing parts or preparation from easily deformed or weak metals. Furthermore, high density of a laser beam assures high labour efficiency and a high-quality surface of the section. Easy and comparatively simple control of the laser fibre enables laser cutting to be used when cutting flat or even volumetric parts and preparations. Products are dyed in one of the largest powder coating lines in Lithuania; in its two completely automated powder coating booths the surface of the products is covered not only with dye but also with a layer of varnish. Powder coating is the best means of dyeing all spatial and flat, as well as tubulous metal products; the surface of the dyed products remains unchanged for a much longer time, the protective coating does not turn yellow and is resistant to the affect of ultraviolet rays, corrosion and a mechanical impact.

ity of its products. To achieve that the products must be constantly improved depending on the customers’ needs and changes in the market conditions. The quality management system certified according to ISO 9001:2008 and the environmental protection management system certified according to ISO 14001:2005 standards have been implemented in the Company Lanksti Linija UAB. Also, the quality management system implemented by the concern IKEA on the basis of the internal standard IWAY operates in the Company. It is planned to implement the production management system Monitor by the end of the year. According to the Director herself, experience gained in co-operating with the Scandinavian customer who is accurate, efficient and dependable taught them labour culture. “Scandinavians are reasonable buyers with whom you will never get into curious situations. They know exactly what they want, and they lay dawn their

requirements very precisely. They set this tone for us too” says Gintarė Blažienė. When asked how she manages to head the company of male profile, the Director smiles and says it is only a matter of an attitude. “I have a team, which I can trust and with which it is pleasant to work and it gives me professional consultations if need arises,” says the Director General of the Company. On the other hand, such model of management is also in line with the Scandinavian spirit where many women hold leading positions and nobody is surprised at that.

A Scandinavian customer is accurate, efficient and dependable The main principles of the Company are long-term cooperation with its partners and an irreproachable qual-

www.lankstilinija.lt | 47

Aveplast new generation windows: energy efficient, safe and easy to use

Windows manufactured in Lithuania are suitable for both individual houses and large public buildings or buildings intended for commercial purposes

Private company Aveplast UAB has been successfully manufacturing plastic windows, doors and aluminium facades for more than 16 years. During that period the Company has not only invested in creating modern manufacturing processes but also satisfied the needs of its customers and provided them with efficient service. The Head and founder of the Company takes personal responsibility to ensure that everything in the Company is run smoothly from manufacture to client servicing. “High quality products, attention to the client, flexibility, keeping our word – all this is essential elements on which our activity is based”, underlines Director of Aveplast UAB Vilius Eidukevičius.

actory Aveplast UAB occupies an area that is larger than 35000m2 and is one of the most modern manufacturers of plastic windows in Lithuania. “Every day the factory manufactures up to 500 new windows and doors therefore it is not only the needs of the residents of Lithuania but also those of people of the rest of Europe that we serve and who are happy with our products”, says Vilius Eidukevičius. The factory established its own logistics centre next to the premises of the factory. Thanks to a convenient geographical loca48 |

tion – nearby highways and fast communication with Klaipėda Sea Port – all products are efficiently distributed not only among Lithuanian but also foreign clients.

Windows of new generation Plastic windows and doors manufactured by Aveplast UAB comply with the requirements of the highest standards of thermal efficiency and air tightness. “According to the thermal conductivity index, the majority

of the windows we manufacture correspond with the windows of the highest energy efficiency class A, and some of the windows have better features than the windows of the highest class – their thermal transmittance (Uw) amounts to as little as 0.7W/ m2K”, explained Director of Aveplast UAB Vilius Eidukevičius. Aveplast UAB manufactures windows of almost ten different models from Brugmann and Salamander profile systems. All window models are carefully completed taken into consideration the customers’ needs. The possibilities of the fittings being selected enable not only safe windows to be chosen but also functionality and convenient use to be ensured. Only high-quality materials and the most advanced technologies are used for manufacture of windows, doors and facades. Products are certified and comply with the highest safety and performance requirements of the European Union. Each product is labelled with the CE marking.

Residents of Brf Stadet apartment house in Sweden chose products of Aveplast UAB

For private and public construction “We are glad that more and more house owners all over Europe have trust in our products, however, having such industrial capabilities we could easily manufacture windows, doors or aluminium facades for large buildings intended for public use”, assures Vilius Eidukevičius. Aveplast UAB project engineers are always ready to share their experience and render assistance at each stage of realisation of a building: beginning with the preparation of the final solution of the project to selection of shapes and colours, as well as calculations of durability. Due to the trust of the customers gained Aveplast UAB replaced lots of old windows and doors and constructed facades of buildings, which have become part of its image. Residents of Brf Stadet house in Sweden chose the products of the Company. “In renovating the windows of the apartment house its residents invested in heat-saving products therefore windows with three

Up to 500 new windows and doors are manufactured at window factory Modern Aveplast UAB daily

layered glass packets and special thermal insulation reinforcement were most suitable for this project”, goes on Director of Aveplast UAB Vilius Eidukevičius. More than 600 windows and doors have been replaced in that house. Products of Aveplast UAB have already reached the following European countries: France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Island, and in the east – Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan.

Quality and environmental protection The ISO9001 quality management system, which covers all processes of window manufacture and sale such as design, sale, supply, mounting and maintenance of plastic and aluminium windows, has been implemented in Aveplast UAB. In pursuing the established quality policy the Company seeks to fulfil all its commitments and to ensure the quality not only of its products but

also that of its services. The highly-qualified staff and excellent work organising skills enable the Company to assume responsibility for timely and qualitative manufacture of products and the provision of services. Window factory Aveplast UAB is not indifferent to environmental protection problems. The Company has implemented the environmental management system ISO14001, which includes processing of old products and wastes, processes of packaging accounting and fire-prevention. Aveplast UAB organises its activities and manufacture taking into consideration principles of sustainability, the use of processed materials and saving of energy resources.

www.aveplast-windows.eu | 49

Natural materials and quality of products is the secret of the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s success Kontivis plius partneriai UAB is a modern company that has long-established traditions in manufacture of wooden and aluminium windows, outside and inside doors. The priority of the enterprise has always been high quality of products and orientation towards the customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs.

rofessionalism and high qualification of the staff enables the Company to successfully compete with other window manufacturers. Special attention devoted to quality and strict control of fulfilling the orders guaranteed Kontivis plius partneriai UAB success in both domestic and foreign markets. At the present time the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s production is exported to Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, France and Great Britain. Constant co-operation with building organisations, architects and employees of the cultural heritage, as well as a timely fulfilment of orders enabled Kontivis plius partneriai UAB to become a serious partner to window manufacturers in many buildings being renovated (schools, wards, hospitals, churches). Seeking to satisfy the needs of different markets Kontivis plius partneriai UAB manufactures windows of different types.

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Windows of Scandinavian type Windows for the Scandinavian market are manufactured making use of long-established and wide experience and technologies of the Scandinavians in window production. Strong winds blowing in the Nordic countries and frequent rains press such windows to the frame even more thus reducing air and water permeability. Windows of this type are manufactured in all most popular ways of opening: top hung, top swing and side hung. With the requirements to thermal permeability increasing, Kontivis plius partneriai UAB started manufacturing gateposts from the 68 mm wide point, which allowed two-chamber double glazed windows to be used. In Scandinavian countries it is very popular to bind windows with aluminium from the outside to extend the lifetime of

windows and to achieve that they should not require additional maintenance.

EURO type windows EURO type wooden windows are elegant wooden windows of European style that open inwards. They are most popular and most frequently chosen windows in Europe. Such windows are made from a profile prepared from glued timber from the wood chosen by a customer (thorny or non-thorny pine, larch, oak, mahogany and others). Inward opening windows perfectly suit both a flat and a house. The windows open in two ways, that is, side hung to be cleaned and tilt-up windows so that fresh air should get into a room. Wooden windows of this type can be bound in aluminium.

Warm windows Passive houses that are gaining in popularity introduced the conception of “warm windows”. A warm window whose thermal permeability coefficient is 0.80 W/(m²K) guarantees maximum comfort. Saving of energy and great comfort are inseparable from each other. Windows of a passive house reduce thermal losses by as much as 50 per cent as compared with usual new windows. The permeability coefficient of a warm window according to the European standard is not lower than 0,80 W/(m²K) (EN 10077). Due to low thermal losses temperature of

the inside of the window is about 17 °C on cold nights. Under such circumstances cosiness is created near the window. Keeping up with state-of-the-art technologies Kontivis plius partneriai UAB can also offer windows of this type according to certified Mira Therm technology; thermal permeability coefficient of such windows U=0,8 W/m2K.

Restoration windows Seeking to maintain architecture of old buildings and match the new windows to

it preserving the authenticity of the building the Company started to manufacture exact copies of these windows. Constant investments in modern technologies and raising qualification of the staff enable authentic products to be manufactured and original windows, doors and various parts of the interior to be restored. Professional specialists of the Company have wide experience of working with such unique projects as Milvydžiai presbytery, Churches of Šaukotas, Raguva; Pakruojis, Burbiškis, Pakėvis estates, reconstruction of the Red Synagogue in Joniškis and others. Windows and doors of aluminium profile Aluminium is a durable material, which is noted for high quality, it preserves its value excellently, is unique due to its elasticity and a wide range of colours offered. The main reason why many builders give priority to this material to others is its uniform appearance and a wide choice of glazing formats. In modern buildings glass is often matched with modern decorative finishing and at the same time functional wall protection systems of the building, ventilation facades or those of aluminium compositional panels.

www.kontivisplius.lt | 51

IREMAS UAB

Panevėžys branch IREMAS UAB Panevėžys branch employs more than 50 skilled professionals in engineering, assembly, welding, machining and painting fields. All the staff has been working in the export market already for several years and has excellent understanding of the most demanding customer requirements. The company has qualified personnel, equipment, technologies, necessary permits and licenses for every work carried out. In 2009, the Company implemented an integrated quality, environment, occupational safety and health management system in accordance with standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 requirements to ensure the quality of works, clean environment, as well as create and maintain a safe and healthy working environment for the provision of services. main activity fields of the Branch are: •manufacture and assembly of non-standard machinery according to customer drawings for paper, wood and automotive industries including: •separate modules for industrial manufacturing lines; •equipment for production automation; •packing, storage etc. equipment; •manufacture and assembly of various belt, roller, chain and overhead conveyors and conveyors systems; •manufacture of various steel products including assembling, machining, welding and painting technologies; •manufacture of metal and plastic components for industrial machineries; All the machines manufactured at IREMAS UAB are tested (depending on machinery construction), together or without the customer supervisor in the workshop and delivered already prepared for installation. The biggest clients: Metso Paper Karlstad, Metso Paper Sundsvall, EMBA Machinery, Raumaster Paper Oy, Ovivo Finland Oy, Swedspan Girių bizonas UAB, Techninis projektas UAB, Klaipėdos jūrų krovinių kompanija AB.

www.iremas.lt 52 |

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West â&#x20AC;&#x201C; East

Your partner in logistics

ins the very establishment of the company, i.e., the year 1990, Transekspedicija UAB has been intensively developing annually. In the year 2011 Transekspedicija UAB owned 220 trucks, which could carry not only ordinary cargoes but also thermo, ADR cargoes and hanging garments on bars. The Company has founded its subsidiaries in KlaipÄ&#x2014;da (Lithuania) and Riga (Latvia). The Company has many partners all over Europe.

the customs agents the department and customs post operate 7 days per week.

Transekspedicija UAB transports complete and combined cargoes from door to door all over West Europe, Scandinavia, the Baltic States and the countries of the CIS (Russia, Belarus, the Ukraine, Kazakhstan). Following the CMR Convention, all the trucks are provided with the CMR insurance.

A long-term work experience in the sphere of cargo transportation enables the company to offer highquality services.

Transekspedicija UAB owns the terminal occupying an area of 6000 m2 in Vilnius and the bonded warehouses, intended for storing, packing and labeling of cargoes. The Customs post operates at the Vilnius terminal. The terminal, 54 |

Transekspedicija UAB operates successfully in the sphere of multi-modal transportations from the West to the East making use of the sea, land and railway transport. A lot of attention is paid to cargo transportation from the Western countries to Russia and Kazakhstan.

www.transekspedicija.lt

Record-breaking investments in KAUNAS FEZ In 2011, Kaunas FEZ generated a record result: the attracted investments amounted to EUR 238 million. This represents the highest investment value over the whole history of Kaunas FEZ. Since the inception of the company, Kaunas FEZ has made contracts with 13 enterprises, with a total value of the investments accounting to EUR 343 million. Foreign direct investments constitute over 70 per cent of this amount. In the short term, up to 940 jobs are expected to be created in Kaunas FEZ. The Kaunas Free Economic Zone (FEZ) is a 534 ha industrial development area which provides tax incentives. The FEZ is attractive due to its geographic position as well as its perfect development possibilities. The territory of Kaunas FEZ is divided in 3 projects: Production and Logistics Area, Business Street and Airpark. Presently the Production and logistics area enjoys the most dynamic development in Kaunas FEZ. Most of the territory is already arranged and being used for green field investments. The Business Street is an aggregation of future buildings at Road A6, offering a choice of 13 land plots for offices and hotels. Almost all the land plots have Detail Plans and relevant infrastructure. That is going to be an easily accessible territory with a well-developed parking system and modern office premises, which satisfy the present-day requirements. The Airpark is a FEZ territory, which has a border with Kaunas International Airport stretching for nearly 3 kilometres. This neighbourhood offers further exceptional possibilities for the FEZ investors. Air, road, and railway roads are perfectly integrated in the Airpark territory. Such territory is particularly attractive for airline depots, aircraft service companies, aviation industries (aircraft assembly, testing, and sales), as they can have access to the runway and concurrently enjoy tax incentives and other privileges offered by the FEZ.

Income tax is not imposed on a company investing over EUR 1million for a period of 6 accounting periods, whereas over the following 10 accounting periods the tax rate is 50%. No property tax has to be paid. Following the Law on Income Tax of the Republic of Lithuania, the dividends earned by foreign investors from business in the Kaunas Free Economic Zone are not subject to taxation.

For more information, please contact us:

The Management Company of Kaunas Free Economic Zone Phone: +370 37 399 299 | Fax:+370 37 399 199 | E-mail: marketing@ftz.lt | www.ftz.lt

Alytus industrial park

Finland

Norway

Sweden

Russia

Estonia

Latvia Denmark

Germany Poland

Belarus

Where? Alytus, the sixth biggest city of Lithuania, has deep industrial traditions, which started to shape in the middle of the past century. Large scale industry encouraged a rapid development of the city and helped Alytus to earn the name of the Lithuanian industry leader. Alytus remained true to its chosen strategy of an industrial city, and managed to preserve what was the best as well as to use the industrial specialists' experience of many years. Qualified industrial specialists is the biggest wealth of Alytus. 4,5 percent of Lithuanian industrial production is produced in Alytus.

Alytus industrial park

ALYTUS

MUNICIPALITY OF ALYTUS RotuĹĄÄ&#x2014;s sq. 4, LT-62504 ALYTUS, LITHUANIA Tel.: +370 315 55 105, +370 315 55 136 E-mail: alytus@ams.lt www.alytus.lt

www.alytus-industrial-park.eu 56 |

A comparatively cheap labor force, a perfect strategic location, qualification of specialists, favorable investment environment has drawn a number of foreign investors to Alytus, and they are successsfully operating businesses up till now. There are more than 70 foreign capital companies, operating in Alytus.

What? The administrator of Alytus industrial park as well as the owner of the major part of the land plots is the municipality of Alytus. Negotiations and document management is without intermediary institutions, no taxes are collected for park management or infrastructure. The purpose of the industrial park land plot is industrial/commercial. The nature of the production activity is not defined. Infrastructure is completed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; roads, utilities. Power consumption is not limited. Alytus industrial park covers 56 ha. Different size land plots are already structured. The land plot size can be changed according to particular requests. The annual land plot rent fee is 1,5 percent of the land plot value. The land plot rent is up to 99 years. When production facilities are built, there is a possibility to purchase the land plot. Companies, having rented new land plots and having invested into the construction of new buildings as well as their establishment not less than 724 thousand EUR/ha, have 5 years exemption from the land plot rent and real estate tax, and the following 5 years the latter taxes are reduced by 50 percent. Investors are settling in Alytus industrial park already, operating in the fields of food industry, wood processsing and machinery production.

How? Contact the municipality of Alytus city directly. Visit us and experience the possibility to usefully develop your business. You will find here tax exemptions and a favorable, friendly investment environment.

Why ? Edgaras Kateiva, Direcotr of Sofa Brands

Speed A possibility to start production rapidly due to prepared utilities in the industrial park, due to qualified and inexpensive labor force and efficient paper handling in Alytus municipality. Within one month from a visit to the municipality an investor can start investment activities.Support and consultations in solving appearing issues save investors' time and power, while starting investment activities.

„Our productivity is as high as in Great Britain, and in some cases it is even higher. This is a big plus, and for the owners – benefits and revenue.“

Availability Direct and efficient negotiations with the prime persons of the municipality of Alytus.

Stability The foreign investors' experience in Alytus shows that there is a very low staff change in the companies. This fact and a sincere and favorable position of the administration of Alytus municipality towards foreign investors gives stability and opportunity to make secure investments, to start and continue business.

Darius Grybauskas, Director general of UAB Svenheim „Norwegian investment has proved our 100 percent“

Friendliness The industrial park is an investment-friendly area. The industrial park investors have significant long-term land and property tax exemptions, which depend upon the size of investment.

Successful experience Most of the foreign industrialists, who have moved their business to Alytus or started it here, are successfully operating. The biggest foreign investors are Sofa Brands International (The United Kingdom), UAB Stora Enso Timber (Finland, Sweden), UAB Svenheim (Norway), UAB Graanul Invest (Estonia), UAB Coca Cola HBC (the USA), UAB Litalka Elektronik (Germany), UAB Jakobsen Home (Denmark).

Vytautas Bernatonis and Vytautas Stankevičius, co-owners of the coconut factory being built „We have chosen Alytus industrial park because of a favorable investment environment – the exemptions which will be applicable for 10 years“

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The oldest mattress manufacturing company in Lithuania Padvaiskas ir Ko exports the largest part of its production The oldest mattress manufacturing company in Lithuania Padvaiskas ir Ko exports the largest part of its production

uring the past 5 years mattress manufacturing company Padvaiskas ir Ko that has been operating since 1993 increased its production by as much as 25-30 per cent each year. Almost all production of the Company is manufactured for export. The Director of Padvaiskas ir Ko UAB Arvydas Padvaiskas hopes that this year will be successful. All the more so, that the Company is constantly receiving new orders. For example, the Company found new partners when it participated in the exhibition of furniture and interior design in Stockholm. According to the Head of the Company, if today on average about 5000 items of products are manufactured per day, a new customer will make us increase our production volumes. This is not an impossible challenge because the Company has fulfilled orders of even the most whimsical and demanding customers more than once. During the recent years the largest part of production has been exported. As much as 99 per cent of products manufactured by Padvaiskas ir Ko is exported to the Scandinavian countries. They are different mattresses and beds. The greatest part of products is ordered according to special requests. The buyers themselves often present the vision of the product: from peculiarities of construction to materials and colours. According to Arvydas Padvaiskas, like a cuisine of each country, furniture manufacturing traditions are different 58 |

in different countries too. Therefore it is necessary to take into consideration the specificity of each country, the taste and needs of the clients. For example, wide double beds and mattresses with many layers are marketable in Norway, therefore beds are usually high. Though dark grey colour prevails, there are customers there who want beds to be as white as snow. Beds with electric engines and several gears are gaining in popularity in Holland and Denmark. Having made oneself comfortable in bed one can respectively change its position with the help of a control lifting the part of the bed where the head and shoulders rest or the foot of the bed. Such beds are intended not only for sleeping but also for sitting, watching television or working with a computer. Mattresses are being bent accordingly. The customer can choose the legs of the bed, bed-heads, mattresses, colours of upholstery, and fillings of mattresses. “Orders are complicated but there are no such orders that we find it impossible to fulfil”, assured us Arvydas. Padvaiskas. The Company takes an active part in the “Green” apple project where it provides support to socially deprived people.

www.padvaiskas.lt

Padvaisko dvaras

welcomes those who wants to rest and picnic

It is for more than a year that a fine homestead for conferences, wedding parties, jubilees and family festivals has welcomed people to have a rest and picnic. Padvaisko dvaras (Padvaisko Estate) is an excellent place for the people who long for rural peace, who remember quiet hours of early mornings or wonderful sunsets. The new five-stork homestead that has been awarded the highest rating of the Lithuanian rural tourism opened its door to holidaymakers at the beginning of 2011. It is situated in Glitiškės, 35 km away from the capital city of Vilnius. The authentic Highlander’s homestead built of manually unbarked fur tree logs contain as many as 20 double rooms that smell of old times but are equipped for the convenience of the holidaymakers: they have showers and toilets, are fully furnished and each room has an extra bed for a guest. To preserve privacy and peace of the guests all apartments are arranged at some distance from the main building where festivities are organised. A party for up to 200 people can be thrown in an antique barn and 130 guests can be accommodated for the night at the said apartments. Lovers of bath houses can enjoy sweating in a hot

bath house of Highlander type. The nearest shop is only 0.3 kilometres and the nearest pharmacy is 3 kilometres away from the homestead. Padvaisko dvaras is situated in wonderful surroundings, next to the lakes Širvys and Musia. The track for lovers of extreme sports in all-terrain or four-wheeled vehicles is built. One can not only taste bread baked in the authentic bread-baking stove but also buy some to take to his friends. Conditions for cooking food by themselves are created at the customers’ requests. The cycle track Struvės lankas starts not far from the homestead. There is a large pond in the territory of the homestead. The owner of the homestead Arvydas Padvaiskas who meets and sees the guests off

by himself has lived in that place since 1985. Therefore it is not surprising that he knows the environs very well and does not conceal his fascination with them. “I can show the visitors round the impressive swamps, take them for a drive in all-terrain vehicles through the forests, organise walking tours or Nordic working with walking poles. An excursion can be organised in a Company’s bus through places of interest. Nearby there is Alionių Telmological Reserve whose vegetation reminds one of the tundra, and a really beautiful lake of Alys. In summer there are plenty of berries there: red bilberries, cranberries and blue berries”, Arvydas Padvaiskas lists the advantages of the environs, having imparted the spirit of Highlanders to his cosy Padvaisko estate.

www.padvaiskodvaras.lt || 59

Exclusive natural linen and wool INCASA UAB is a manufacturer of 100% linen, 100% wool fabrics, wool blankets, various home textiles and beddings. It is based in Kaunas, the second largest city in Lithuania. It is modern and innovative organization with the staff of more than 60 people. LINCASA uses innovative machines in the production- DORNIER weaving looms, STAUBLY jacquards, TONELLO dyeing equipment etc.

60 |

To assure the highest quality standards for fabrics and ready made textiles. All the fabrics- jacquard and dobby can be woven up to 390 cm width. The range of home textile products consists of many classical collections for exclusive taste of particular customers. The LUXURY collection includes all the textiles for table and bed, decorated with flat stitch embroidery.

The DECO STYLE collection includes such kitchen textiles as linen kitchen towels, aprons, pot holders and kitchen gloves. Table linens are made of linen or half-linen, because these fabrics are absorbent and durable. The AUDIMAS collection embraces all the textiles with mittered corners: napkins, sets, runners and tableclothes. This classical table linen is simple and elegant. The TOSKANA collection enjoys the greatest popularity as table linen is decorated with machine-made hemstitch. Colouful 100 % linen tablecloths with matching napkins can be a perfect interior accent in every home. VENEZIA is a table linen and bed linen collection of textiles with a handmade hemstitch. A lot of beautiful patterns attract the handwork eye and this kind of handiwork astonishes everybody. Linen fabrics can be dyed with natural plant dyes.

cial attention is paid to the requirements of all customers and meeting their needs. The capability to accomplish this mission is the key condition for successful activities of the company. Products of high quality are acknowledged by customers worldwide. Export markets of LINCASA are Benelux, Italy, Germany, France, Japan, Hong-Kong, Israel, United States etc. Home textile production for famous brand names in Europe is one of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gratest prides. Our latest collections can be seen at all the largest international fairs for household and home textile as HEIMTEXTIL, AMBIENTE, TENDENCE in Germany, MACEF in Italy, INTERIOR Lifestyle in Japan. LINCASA is a member of the Lithuanian Apparel and Textile Association LATIA.

Individual needs and requirements of every customer are taken into consideration. The mission of LINCASA is as follows: according to the market trends and demand, manufacture of high quality home and kitchen textile, clothing for men and women. Spe-

www.lincasa.com | 61

Construction of aluminium Terrace glazing

e are glad to represent innovative, entrepreneurs company Profalis, established in 2004 in Kaunas, Lithuania. Since then we have been importing profiles and making “cold” style sliding constructions for balconies, terraces, inner walls and doors. We are an official representative of the ALUTECH (Belarus) and Russian company RUSAL (RusAliumStroj) in Lithuania and the Baltic region. Last year our Company was acknowledged to be one of the strongest companies in Lithuania. Balcony glazing, alluminium doors, terrace inglassing, wardrobe sliding doors and alu-

Aluminium doors and walls 62 |

Balcony inglassing

minum profiles for these systems, can be found in our Company. Our company makes calculations according to customers’ drawings, we usually use constructions with 33.1 laminated or 5mm hardened glass. Today we have wide experience of working with aluminium systems and have partners not only in the Baltic region but also in Sweden, Norway.

minum profiles and constructions to a prior order from storehouses. We invite all building companies to cooperate and explore our aluminum profile systems. The customer is provided with full consultation and training, as well as with the possibility to obtain profiles that are cut, prepared for production, with all technological cutouts at the customer‘s request.

Our Company was the first in Lithuania to receive CE certification for balcony glazing constructions. At present Privat Company Profal sells alu-

Renovated house

www.profalis.lt

www.rokiskio.com

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Dynamic and innovative raw material supply company in Eastern Europe

he first Imlitex Holdings Company was founded in 1994. We are the most diversified specialised raw material supply company in the Baltic States.

Our 16 companies in Eastern Europe are valued for their responsible attitude to partnership and a unique business culture.

we are consistently increasing the number of our customers there. At the present time there are more than 4000 of them.

We have a clear plan of a long-term development and sustainable growth in all groups of Business (food, agro, chemicals, energy, plastics, package, logistic, textile). Regarding Eastern Europe as our domestic market

Today highly qualified specialists of Imlitex Holdings supply about 800 different products to almost all kinds of industry. Our agents and representations represent interests of Holding in the process of pur-

chasing and selling raw materials in many countries of the world, provide management with timely and relevant information on the daily basis, check reputation of the suppliers and customers, as well as quality of production. We devote special attention to long-term relations. Being well aware of the customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs and having evaluated their potential we are capable of providing them with raw materials, solving logistics problems, and often energy needs too.

The value of business is art of change!

www.imlitex.com 64 ||

Knut Posted on 08/21/11 - 17:33 This Campingsite is just amazing! The bees hailed me a friendly welcome, there are lots of hammocks hanging and after one night in my own I really was sad that I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t plan a minimum two-night-stay. If you are up for camping in the nature, go for this campingsite. Never been to such a peaceful, clean and friendly camp ever. Aciu labai! Knut

Campsite

www.medaus-slenis.lt

Honey Valley a perfect place to stay and spend your time Owner Ovidijus

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The 20th Anniversary of Condiments & Seasonings Manufacturer Vesiga Private Company Vesiga UAB is the leader in the sphere of condiments and seasonings manufacturing in Lithuania. The Company’s market share accounts for 30 per cent. There is no larger manufacturer either in Lithuania or the Baltic States. The Company bearing the trademark Daumantų offers its customers over 100 names of its products: mayonnaise, tomato sauces, ketchups, soybean sauces, mustard and adjika. Products bearing this trademark are a unique combination of local traditions, modern technologies and the highest quality standards. We talk to the Director of the Company Saulius Grinkevičius about the Company’s ability to become established itself in such a specific market. Jūratė Mockuvienė

BiL Twenty years is a long period in the Company’s existence. How has Vesiga changed within these years? Like the majority of companies that have been established in Independent Lithuania since 1991, at the beginning of the Company’s activity the initial capital was accumulated from trade. Later, in 1993, Vesiga started production in the sphere of fish industry, and in 1996 it began to manufacture condiments and seasonings. From then on the most important sphere of the Company’s production is different condiments, mayonnaises, ketchups, grated horseradish, etc.

more natural, healthier condiments without food supplements and organic products at the time when society and the media did not pay such great attention yet. Now we accentuate the importance of organic seasonings therefore we refused various food supplements in many products – preservatives, colourings, taste and aroma intensifiers and thickeners. We see that the customers are looking for organic manufacturers. We orient ourselves towards more expensive but organic production. Each year we offer the Lithuanian market 5-7 new products. A range of mayonnaise seasonings offered to the customers several years ago, which aroused great interest among the buyers, is further developed.

BiL How do the needs of modern consumers change and towards what do you mainly orient yourselves today?

BiL To what countries do you export your production?

The need of the consumers for more natural products that is constantly on the increase in Lithuania encouraged the Company to develop manufacture of healthier products. Vesiga UAB has become the first manufacturer of condiments and seasonings to offer the Lithuanian consumers two lines of

Vesiga production is exported to almost all the European Union states. Export accounts for more than 20 percent of total sale volumes. Five years ago we decided to devote strategically great attention to export development because until that time our all atten-

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tion was concentrated on the local market. It is for a second year in a row that export has annually increased by as much as 50 per cent. Recently far reaching agreements with the networks trading in organic products in Denmark and Slovenia have been concluded. We are going to supply the Swedish market with organic ketchup. BiL Turnover reflects the development of the Company. Sales of Vesiga are on the increase each year. What are the results of the past year? In 2010, the consolidated turnover amount-

ed to 61 million 988 thousand Litas, in 2011 this figure stood at 77 million 642 thousand Litas. We reached the growth of 25.2 per cent. We managed to increase the scope of export by as much as 50 per cent, up to 9 million 203 thousand Litas. BiL The Company has wide experience in the sphere of condiments and seasonings. To make our conversation “spicy” tell us, please, what Lithuanians and foreigners, for example, Scandinavians, give preference to when buying your products. Lithuanian customers prefer neutral taste more: balanced products that are neither too sour nor too sweet. When cooking our women add different spices and enhance the taste of their dishes. For example, the Finns like mayonnaise seasonings with many different vegetables: cucumbers, paprika, onions. Seasonings with lots of hot and various spices are popular in Russia. The market of organic spices is much older in the Scandinavian countries than in our country. Therefore we hope that the Scandinavians will like and appreciate Lithuanian organic products.

BiL You have mentioned that a modern company should invest each year. What are your Company’s investments? Some years ago we completed a new stage of modernising our Company. All production lines were changed, as much as 7 million Litas was invested. Annually we invest about one million Litas in the Company, and this process has not been completed yet. It is already six years in a row that we have been certified with BRC (British Retail Consortium) Global Standard for Food Safety. These processes are certified by the Company Lloyd Register Quality Assurance established in Sweden. This testifies to especially high product safety and quality requirements in production. Vesiga is one of many food industry companies in Lithuania, which has certified its production according to the BRC food safety standard, which the large trading networks of Europe and the world specify as one of the most significant conditions for the manufacturers of food products. BiL You have received a lot of honorary

awards. Will you name some most significant ones, please? The Company’s mission is to be the leading Company of manufacturing condiments and seasonings in the Baltic States noted for the best products. Daumantų tomato sauce Be E has won the title of the Most Successful New Product 2010 in Lithuania, Daumantų tomato sauce Tradicinis has become the Most Popular Product in Lithuania three years in a row: in 2009, in 2010 and in 2011. Daumantų tomato sauce Be E has won the Gold Medal of the Lithuanian Product of the Year 2010, and Karališkas be konservantų has been awarded the Silver Medal of the Lithuanian Product of the Year 2010. Daumantų mayonnaise sauce Krienų, tomato sauce Tradicinis, Premium ketchup and other products could also be mentioned among the best ones.

www.vesiga.lt | 67

Metalo Meistrai – a company which provides solid steel solutions Solid Steel Solutions

Metalo Meistrai is a large company which has become known due to the introduction of innovative management solutions and the latest production technology integration model. The company, whose roots go back to 1957, in its time has properly responded to the changing environment for innovation and due to timely implementation, became a diamond in Lithuanian steel industry, successfully operating in the Baltic Sea countries.

he company exports construction steel mainly to such countries as Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia (Kaliningrad), Denmark, Germany. Metalo Meistrai effectively designed and produced steel structures in Lithuania according to European standards EN 1090 and ISO 3834 and successfully mounted them in a wide variety of projects beginning with small and medium-sized storehouses and ending with large trading centres and arenas referred to architectural gems. The Company has established very strong partnership relations with suppliers and other stakeholders to ensure success so that customers’ idea should become a reality with in the incredibly short time. Very careful selection of partners and precise and a clear pre-planning ensure perfect harmony between all levels: from the designer to transport companies and mounting on the construction site. Turnkey integration of Metalo Meistrai proposed solutions is one of the reasons that allows us to successfully operate in the Scandinavian markets. Another secret to the demanding Scandinavian market is the ability to offer excellent quality and the fulfilment of customers’ expectations. The Company has implemented the ©Triple-checking system, and, as has been mentioned before, management of all stakeholders related to the project that is based on close co-operation is the reason why the Company’s product quality often surpasses its clients’ expectations. Metalo meistrai has developed an innovative technical base formed from the facilities produced by the world‘s leading manufacturers of equipment, which enables the Company to put into practice even the craziest ideas of architects and designers of steel structures. At the present time the Company has the latest cutting, welding and surface treatment equipment which allows it to offer different solutions to the construction sector. For this reason a large number of companies operating. 68 ||

www.metalomeistrai.lt

The Brewerie’s of Aukštaitija – the heritage of true natural beer tradition!

www.dvaroalus.lt

The leader in Plastic Recycling Industry in the Baltic countries Tikritus UAB

IKRITUS UAB is a limited liability company established as a recycling secondary raw material processor in Lithuania in 2003. The Company has big and ideally suited premises for recycling. Our Company has a social status and helps the disabled people integrate into society. At this time 40 highly qualified people work for TIKRITUS. The company produces high quality pellets/regranules (LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE) for further usage in other industries such as granule molding and film blowing. The production is strictly controlled by a continuous ly improved quality management system. Our Company produces high quality pellets with various melting flow indexes (MFI) and different colors: transparent, colored, off white and black. At the present time our production capacity is 300 tones per month but hte company is planning to expand its production to 1000 t/month. Our production is highly valued by our customers. Currently our Company exports production to different countries, including Denmark, Norway and Sweden with which the company has long-term contracts. PolymerTrade AS Company is one of our partners successfully working for many years. As the Company is at the growing and expanding stage, we are open to offers of various business proposals including different industries where our product (pellets) would be useful. We are looking forward for offers from the companies which are doing injection moulding and film blowing plastics. We are always looking forward to investors who are interested in our business. If there is a need we can provide assistance to companies and individuals who are interested in starting business in Lithuania and not only plastic industry. We can provide help and information related to the real estate, properties and highly qualified people. We are always looking for new opportunities to grow and to expand our market finding new partners all around the world and making sure that the quality of our production is the highest to meet our customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; expectations.

www.tikritus.lt 70 ||

Mineral water and therapeutic mud, which are the natural factors that made the resort famous for hundreds of years, today are supplemented with modern technology at medical SPA ”Eglės“ sanatorija in Druskininkai. This creates excellent possibilities to provide all kinds of treatment for diﬀerent illnesses and strengthen the body. Your Health Is Your Best Investment.

Medical SPA �Eglės“ sanatorija

www.medicalspa.lt | 71

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Products of Bageta UAB smell of Lithuanian wood Private Company Bageta UAB, which nurtures ambitious and bold plans, manufactures pallet collars and wood sawdust pellets. The interesting thing is that not a single chip of wood processed at the Company is wasted. What remains after pallet collars production is pressed into sawdust pellets used as fuel.

ageta UAB that was established in 1992 is one of the market leaders among the Baltic countries. The professional team and long experience in the sphere of wood processing provides the Company with the possibility to offer its customers high-quality products at competitive prices. As much as 98 per cent of the Company’s production is exported to almost all the countries of the European Union. A large part of products is sent to the neighbouring Baltic States and Scandinavia. Each production process is thoroughly checked by quality control from its very beginning to the end at the Company. The fact that entire production at the Company beginning with cutting logs to the manufacture of pallet collars is manual enables the Company to compete in the market at the price adequate to quality. 74 |

Hence, quality and reasonable price are essential priorities of the activity of Bageta.

SOME Cargo is impossible to be packaged without PALLET COLLARS One of the most significant spheres of the activity of Bageta is manufacture of high quality pallet collars. The strategy of the Company to specialise in manufacturing one product has justified itself. Pallet collars are a practical and economical way of repeated packaging for the companies, which warehouse and transport various production. Collars are made from first-class and second-class softwood and are durable, stable and of convenient

Jūratė Mockuvienė

construction: when not used they may be folded thus saving space of a warehouse. Thermally processed wood is used for their manufacture. According to the sales manager of the Company Žana Jociūtė, at the present time all capacities have been used up therefore it is expected to expand production this year. The Company plans to allocate as much as 4.5 million litas to investments in the new building. Though there has been no lack of customers thus far, the economic situation in Europe in not too promising therefore the Company plans a moderate increase in its turnover. Despite all that, the staff of 140 persons is full of optimism and hopes that this year will be better than the year 2011 when the Company managed to reach a turnover of 25 million litas. “Our industrial capacities reach up to one million pallet collars per year therefore we do not doubt that we are able to fulfil an order of any size”, states Žana Jociūtė. All wood intended for export is processed according to international ISPM15 standard and is labelled with the International Plant Protection Convention symbol – the IPPC stamp. This means that the whole production is manufactured from materials, which cannot spread plant diseases and pests

Wood sawdust PELLETS without any additives When manufacturing pallet collars the remaining dried sawdust is used to produce pellets. They are ecologically clean, used in the boilers of solid fuel and fireplaces. They yield much heat, are long-burning, leave no ashes and can be used as an excellent alternative to other kinds of fuel. Bageta UAB pellets are made of ecological and clean sawdust of soft wood without using any additives or glue. Currently manufactured 6 mm wood sawdust pel-

lets can be packaged in 15, 16, 20, 25 kg bags. According to Žana Jociūtė, 6 mm sawdust pellets might be not so attractive from the aesthetic point of view but they are made without any additives. When manufacturing 8 mm pellets one cannot do without different additives and glue. Pellets manufactured for export are usually packaged in big-bags from 800 to 1000 kg. Different ways of packaging are possible depending on the customer’s requirements. The product can be packaged in the bags provided by the customer and bearing its logotypes. Hence, the product is convenient both to an individual buyer and the wholesaler. Investments are planned to be made in this sphere too. Next year a new granulator enabling the Company’s capacities to be increased from 200 tons to 2000 tons per month should start operating. This investment is worth about 5 million litas. The staff of the Company are optimistically disposed – ever more attention is being paid to ecology, and ecologically clean wood sawdust pellets are expected to gradually oust coal and even expensive natural gas that pollute the environment.

Pallets and pallet collars

bageta-europe.com | 75

Alpera medals fascinated even the Company Alpera UAB, which designs and manufactures and sells articles made from noble, nonferrous metals and which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, produced medals and cups for the European Men’s Basketball Championship that took place last year. Even the basketball legend Arvydas Sabonis said that he had never seen such beautiful medals. Regular customers of Alpera are the highest state institutions and establishments: the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, the Presidential Office, the Government, Ministries, Departments, the State Boarder Guard Service and banks. Customers from abroad order large quantities of our products too. We talk to the Director General Paulius Maciulevičius about the subtleties of this specific business. BiL Medals that your Company produced for the 2011 European Men’s Basketball Championship made Lithuanians known as excellent jewellers. How did you manage to receive such an order? First of all, the fact that the European Men’s Basketball Championship took place in Lithuania. To the best of our knowledge, the organisers of the Championship usually choose the enterprises of that country to be manufacturers of medals. The fact that we made medals for the European Junior (16 - 18 years of age) Basketball Championships in 2009 and 2010 helped us. Though those medals

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were not as impressive as these ones but they were of high quality and complied with the requirements, therefore FIBA allowed us to manufacture medals for the European Basketball Championship. The period of preparation and coordination was long, it lasted 8 months. At first the very idea had to be co-ordinated, and then the industrial process was discussed in great detail. Medals had to satisfy very strict requirements set to the FIBA Europe image. The famous designer Nerijus Treinys who has created a collection of exceptional medals decorated with amber co-operated with us. We wanted to create something new

because earlier we had seen products that were manufactured in a qualitative way but they were traditional. Our medals were made as a piece of art. We manufactured cups for the same Basketball Championship too, which followed the style of medals. They were awarded to the five of the best players. BiL What are other most important products manufactured by your Company? Several priority branches of production can be singled out. One of them is manufacture of medals intended for commemorating various occasions or jubilees, given in remembrance of something, as souvenirs or awarded to an employee for some merits or to some foreign guest. As an example I can mention the medals commemorating Lithuania’s joining the European Union and NATO and medals devoted to commemorate the most important dates in the history of the State: the one-thousandth anniversary of the first mention of Lithuania’s name, the 600th jubilee of the Battle of Žalgiris (Grünwald) and others. We also make badges beginning with badges

basketball legend Arvydas Sabonis for schools and ending with badges for different organisations, sportsmen and banks. The list of our products contains decorations awarded to honorary citizens of different cities and regions, badges of members of municipal councils, Meyers of cities, regalia of Rectors of universities. We manufacture different kinds of original souvenirs and prizes for enterprises and companies when they want to honour the most merited employees and need some original decorations. Original statuettes were manufactured for popular television projects Lietuvos garbė (Lithuania’s Honour), Šok su manimi (Dance with Me), Vaikų balsas (Children’s Voice). The statuette to the most distinguished scientists or their groups awarded at the prestigious event of the National Prize for Progress is also our product. BiL Who is responsible for designing and manufacturing? Is everything done by the employees of your Company or do you ask your partners to help you? Talented designers work at the Company and in case of need we request services of other distinguished artists of Lithuania. Sometimes

the customer has the design of the product made in advance, and we have only to follow it and fulfil the order. Since most of our work involves orders for jewellery items the most important thing is professional workers who are capable of fulfilling the order with their own hands, who are good at grinding, polishing and processing materials. Manufacture of medals has not changed for thousands of years. Medals used to be struck earlier and they are still struck today. The only difference is that now it is done in more modern ways because new production technologies appear, which create possibilities for a master to make fewer mistakes. The latter has to put only the finishing touches. However, in this sphere of production even the most advanced technology can be of no avail without a touch of the hands of a specialist. BiL What are the forecasts for the future? We cannot forecast the need for some decorations or medals exactly. At the present time our share of the Lithuanian market of manufacturing medals, decoration and badges accounts for 35 per cent. We think that

www.alpera.lt

we are one of the largest manufacturers of this kind of products in Lithuania. We started to develop the export policy not a long time ago because we have had enough work in Lithuania thus far. We work for organisations in Georgia, Russia and Latvia. BiL What does flatter your vanity most today? Most probably I shall not make a mistake in saying that today we are one of the best manufacturers of such production in Lithuania. We can take pride in the fact that during 15 years of the activity of our Company we have disillusioned or let down none of our customers. We adhere to the principle that it is not difficult to allure a customer for the first time but if he comes and asks for our services for the second, third time it means that we have satisfied his expectations. We do our best to keep abreast of technological innovations, and we follow the world tendencies in the sphere of our products and equipment. Perhaps this is why we are appreciated even by the most demanding customers whom we try to advise, offer original solutions. I believe that foreign customers will understand and evaluate this too.

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We can do more for you!

ROGRESAS produce welded / assembled constructions made from steel and stainless, for energy, chemical, building industry, agricultural and forest machinery, industrial heating boilers, pressure vessels, containers, flanges up 1200 mm. We specialize in plate rolling up to 16 mm, welding, mechanical treatment (turning, milling, bending) and wet dyeing. We usually process sheet metal from 2 to 35 mm thickness, up to 5000 mm cylinder width., up to 10 tons weight. Progresas AB founded 1965 year, has 6 ha land with 15000 sqm. workshop, employ 50-110 people. Welded steel structure standard EN 1090 and EN 3834-3 are certified by Inspecta, Finland. Quality system ISO 9001 is certified by Bureau Veritas. Our references are at Coface or Atradius credit insurance. Using 50% EU grant, we intend to invest into new equipment, among it, 78 ||

welding robots, plate rolling , bending, dyeing, which could be useful for customers future orders. Our main customers are from Baltic and Scandinavian energy sector (oil stations, electricity e.g Empower, biofuel, sun energy), as we supply tanks, heating exchangers, stainless activated carbon filters, lifting equipment, exhaust silencers. One of our clients is Ignalina Nuclear Power Station. In close collaboration with our clients we find solutions. We keep looking at all the relevant aspects, to the benefit of our clients.

www.progresas.com

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profession, Ambition, devotion T

he Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universitetas – LSMU) is the largest specialized health educational institution in Lithuania where the highly qualified specialists in biomedical field are trained. The University’s roots in medical studies go back to the 1920s, and today the University is the institution successfully combining the provision of university degrees, training and research in biomedical sciences in Lithuania.

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Studies and scientific research at LSMU take place in seven faculties and at the Hospital of LSMU, the largest medical institution in Lithuania and one of the largest university hospitals in the Baltic countries, as well as at six research institutes, and two animal clinics. The University offers 24 study programmes. Six study programmes – for international students – are entirely instructed in English: • Medicine – 6 years, qualification awarded: Physician; • Odontology – 5 years, qualification awarded: Odontologist; • Pharmacy - 5 years, qualification awarded: Pharmacist; • Veterinary Medicine – 5.5 years, qualification awarded: Veterinary Surgeon; • Public Health - 2 years, degree awarded: Master in Public Health; • Veterinary Food Safety* – 4 years, degree awarded: Bachelor in Public Health* - starting on September 1st, 2012; The University takes pride in having been the Alma Mater of many international students for the past 20 years. Nearly 450 students from 42 foreign countries are enrolled at LSMU. Being the largest medical research centre in Lithuania, LSMU participates in a number of EU and bilateral international projects, as well as in the projects coordinated by the World Health Organization.

INTEGRATED SCIENCE, STUDIES AND BUSINESS CENTRES (VALLEYS) OF SANTAKA AND NEMUNAS The Lithuanian University of Health Sciences has attracted more than 40 million € as the European Union structural funds for education and research infrastructure in 2009-2011. With this context the key projects are Integrated science, studies and business centres (valleys) of Santaka (15,3 million €) and Nemunas (8,7 million €)*. The LSMU Medical Academy is implementing the Integrated science, studies and business centre (valley) Santaka in creating The Recent Pharmaceutical and Health Technology Centre (address: Eivenių 4, Kaunas, Lithuania). The centre will consist of LSMU Pharmacy Faculty (Department of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Analytical and Toxicological Chemistry, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology Social Pharmacy) and other open access laboratories (Laboratory of Fitopharmacy, Laboratory of Preclinical Drug Investigation, Laboratory of Medical Target Histopathological Research, Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacological Regulation of Pathological Processes, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technologies). These units mainly specialize in highly perspective research themes: investigation of natural biologically active compounds and phytodrugs;

LSMU Medical Academy

LSMU Veterinary Academy

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tissue enginieering; preclinical study of drugs; investigation of pharmaceutical targets in tissues, personalized medicine; investigation of proteins and peptids: technologies for extraction, purification; pharmaceutical technologies: investigation of drug carriers, clinical trials, diagnostic medical devices trials; synthesis and analysis of biologically active compounds; development of new innovative means and methods for early diagnostics of Alzheimer’s disease and many others. The Recent Pharmaceutical and Health Technology centre is expected to be opened by the end of 2012. The LSMU Veterinary Academy is implementing the integrated science, studies and business centre (valley) Nemunas in creating two Research centres. The Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology Centre (address: Tilžės 18, Kaunas, Lithuania) specializes in animal nutrition research and biotechnology and consists of eight units: Laboratory of Animal Feed Nutrient Digestibility, Laboratory of Feed and Feeding Technology Assessment, Laboratory of Animal Genetic Resources Conservation and Long-term Study of Ex Situ, Department of Nutrigenomics and Animal Processes in a Systematic Evaluation, Laboratory of Nutritiology Animal Research, Centre of Digestive Physiology and Pathology, Laboratory of Animal Breeding Research and Breeding Value, Laboratory of Birds and Poultry Feed. The Animal Health and Animal Raw Materials Quality Centre (address: Tilžės 18, Kaunas, Lithuania) specializes in infectious animal diseases, epidemiology, pathogenesis, etc. The centre consists of seven units: Laboratory of Virological Research, Laboratory of Microbiology Research, Laboratory of Parasitological Research, Laboratory of Histopathological Research, Laboratory of Raw Animal Food Safety and Quality, Laboratory of Livestock and Meat Characteristics of meat Quality Evaluation, Laboratory of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology. The Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology Centre and the Animal Health and Animal Raw Materials Quality Centre are expected to be opened by the end of 2012. The advantages of the Integrated science, studies and business centres (valleys) of Santaka and Nemunas will be significant to BUSINESS in using the scientific research base and the potential to create and stimulate practically usable solutions; to RESEARCH to develop the new R & D areas and advanced technologies for human and animal health promotion; to STUDENTS to get the most advanced infrastructure and receive education and skills matching the highest standards. To sum up, advantages are as follows:

• CONCENTRATION of similar and/or related laboratories and departments; • CONSOLIDATION of human resources; • OPTIMIZATION of equipment needed for R & D development; • EFFICIENCY of costs and management; • OPEN ACESS TO LABORATORIES; • QUALITY of R & D activities in pharmaceutical, health technologies; • PARTNERSHIP between educational, scientific and business institutions; • GROWTH of Lithuanian economic sectors.

*Project ‘The Creation of ‘Santaka’ Valley Recent Pharmaceutical and Health Technology Centre’ (Project No. VP21.1-ŠMM-04-V-01-004) and project ‘The Consolidation of Animal Health and Nutrition, Animal Materials Science and Education Infrastructure and Scientific Potential’ (Project No. VP2-1.1-ŠMM-04-V-01-009) was financed by European Union structural funds (Economic Growth Action Programme (VP2), Priority of Research and Development for Economic Competitiveness and Growth (VP2-1), Goal to Strengthen Public and Private R & D Base (VP2-1.1), Tool to Strengthen Research and Studies Infrastructure (VP2-1.1-ŠMM-04-V) 82 |

www.lsmuni.lt www.santakosslenis.lt www.slenis-nemunas.lt

Lithuanian reflections in Mannerheimiad Valdemaras Michalauskas

here are many places of interest in Lithuania. The Pavirvytis estate in which Lithuania unexpectedly became part of the road of life twists and turns of the Finnish marshal and head of the battle for Independence and wars against the Soviet Union Karl Gustav Mannerheim deserves mention. Historical documents found recently testify to the fact that the famous Marshal visited Lithuania more than once, in Pavirytis estate he made friends with the Lithuanian cadet Antanas Ričardas Druve.

From the main facts about Antanas Ričardas Druve’s live and activity presented in the book Lietuvos kariuomenės karininkai 19181953 (Officers of Lithuanian Army 19181953), page 82 Vol. III, we learn that while studying at the Nicolas Cavalry School in St. Petersburg (1887-1889) he became close friends with Karl Gustav Mannerheim who later became a military leader and politician of Finland. This fact does not only do credit to the Lithuanian cadet Antanas Ričardas Druve’ biography but also enables us to discover something new in the biography of Mannerheim himself. Sources of the Marshal Karl Gustav Mannerheim biography in the Finnish, English, Russian languages mention the fact that while Gustav who was of Swedish and Finnish origin was studying at the Cavalry School he found it difficult to

Pavirvytis estate now

communicate with other cadets in the Russian language therefore he gladly communicated with the cadets of the smaller nations – Estonians, Poles and Ukrainians rather than with the Russians who dominated at the school and who even liked to mock at his different pronunciation. The list of friends of those several nationalities should be supplemented with the Lithuanian names, which has not been done by any authors or compilers of the publications about Mannerheim that I happened to read. Karl Gustav Mannerheim’s memoirs in the Russian language Mannerheim (right) with a fellow student, lithuanian Antanas Ričardas Druvė (Moscow, Vagrius. 2000) in Nicholas Cavalry School, St Petersburg (abaut 1887-1889) contain a photograph (block of illustrations, page 4) of two cadets of the Cavalry School. The capwith Napoleon and Turkey General Petras tion under the photograph says that this is Vitgenshtein, also attests to a close friendGustav Mannerheim with his school mate. ship between Karl Gustav Mannerheim and We learn from the words written on the back Antanas Ričardas Druve. side of the photograph, which was given to the relatives of Elena Druvytė-Bliumbergienė Karl Gustav Mannerheim visited the native that the unnamed school mate in the photoland of these two friends of his more than graph was Elena Druvytė’s brother Antanas once. The stableman of the Pavirvytis estate Ričardas Druvė, a Lowlander from Tryškiai. Gramaila told the author of this article that Gustav Manerheim’s portrait photohis grandfather had several times brought graph dedicated to “My dear friend his master’s son together with tall Gustav Ričardas Druve to remember the from Papilė Railway station to the Pavirvytis time spent together” on 10 Novemestate for Christmas and summer holidays ber 1888 also testifies to the friend– they both were students of the same miliship of these two cadets. tary school in St. Petersburg. The young fellows would ride on horseback in the fields The words written under the archilike wind; they hunted wild bores in the val photograph by another cadet woods and caught pikes in the Virvytė River. from Lithuania who studied at the According to Gramaila, they knew how to same Nicolas Cavalry School– Andance waltzes, mazurkas, polkas, quadrilles tanas Vitgenshtein, a son of the with young girls more beautifully than any owner of the Verkiai estate near other young gentlemen. Vilnius, a great-grandson of the military leader of the Russian wars (Magazine of Lithuanian Riflemen Trimitas, 2004/2) | 83

The Scandinavian dimension in the heart of Vilnius

he Vilnius Old City, one of the largest in Central and Northern Europe, was drawn into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. It features numerous elaborate Catholic churches, Orthodox churches and temples of other confessions as well as impressive residences. This cultural and historical map is further enhanced by the reconstruction of the palace of the grand dukes of Lithuania. Vilnius had become the centre of the early Lithuanian state already 700 years ago and was the place of residence of the the state’s rulers. In the late 13th century the first

stone castle was built in Lithuania at the base of Gediminas’ Hill, which was reconstructed and expanded in the 15th–16th centuries to become the residence of the grand dukes of Lithuania, who were also rulers of Poland and kings of Sweden. During war with Russia and Sweden in the mid-17th century it was ravaged and its treasures were plundered, while in the late 18th century, when Lithuania lost its statehood, it was eventually demolished. In 1990, with the reinstatement of Lithuania’s independence, the idea of returning this symbol of Lithuania’s statehood, missing for 200 years, was

Portrait of Swedish king John III Vasa from the Marble Cabinet in Warsaw Royal Castle, by Peeter Danckers de Rij, 1643 (?), Lithuanian Art Museum 84 ||

developed. Based on the rich archaeological findings discovered in the location of the Rulers’ residence, and historical and iconographic data, a building was designed to recreate the vision of the representational palace of the grand dukes of Lithuania at its pinnacle, a structure that would at the same time protect the defensive castle’s surviving walls and authentic parts of the residence left lying underground for such a long time. All these discoveries are now being carefully preserved, restored and integrated to become the museum’s future exhibits. We spoke to Dr. Vydas Dolinskas,

Portrait of Catherine Jagiellon, youngest daughter of Sigismund the Old and Bona Sforza, sister of Sigismund Augustus and wife of Swedish king John III Vasa, by Lucas Cranach the Younger (1515–1586), Poland (?), The Princes Czartoryski Foundation – National Museum in Cracow

Director of the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, about the palace’s reconstruction and the historic ties between Lithuania and the Northern countries. BiL The reconstruction of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania is a unique project from a scientific, cultural and engineering aspect, as well as being a costly financial venture. What makes this project so important? The reconstruction of the former palace in the heart of the Lithuanian capital is a reinstatement of a symbol of Lithuania’s long-lived traditions of statehood, a manifestation of state sovereignty, national pride and an expression of historical memory. In 2009, when Lithuania celebrated its millennium, we had the symbolic opening of the reconstructed, though as yet incompletely fitted-out, residence. Fifteen heads of state participated in this ceremony, among them the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. We hope that in 2013 the representational part of the palace shall open its gates to the public and that the museum established within shall once again carry out the cultural and educational functions historically characteristic of this residence, making it a centre for tourism. It shall also be possible to hold some of the events associated with Lithuania’s presidency of the Council of the European Union here. For several centuries, the palace of the grand dukes of Lithuania was the political, diplomatic, administrative, financial, military and cultural centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL). The past of this palace is inextricably linked not only to the most important aspects of the history of the GDL, but also to the traditions of international relations and cultural exchange between all the countries in the Central, Eastern and Northern Europe region. A special link ties this palace and its masters – the grand dukes of Lithuania – to Poland and Sweden. Lithuania’s rulers also often served as the kings of Poland and Sweden. The special significance of the scientific research being conducted at the

Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania is also noteworthy. For over 20 years, comprehensive archaeological diggings, architectural and historical, art-related and other research has been going on in an area of 2 hectares in the centre of Vilnius. Scientists have unearthed over 300,000 unique archaeological findings in the damp soil around where the Vilnelė Stream, which gives Vilnius its name, flows into the larger Neris River. The damp soil has preserved exceptional objects that are rarely found elsewhere, such as leather, wood, metal and glass artifacts dating back to the 14th century. The museum also has the largest collection of 15th–17th century ceramics (primarily stove tiles) in all of Europe. The findings have revealed a great deal of new information about the beginnings of Lithuanian statehood, its military, mercantile relations and cultural communication with the Catholic West and the Orthodox East, about the development of architecture and art, the way of life as experienced by the Lithuanian rulers and members of their court, and the luxury and everyday aspects of the residence of the grand dukes. Lithuanian foreign politics was modelled at the Vilnius residence, diplomats were received from states in the West and the East, and international agreements were signed, as well as other important inter-state documents. The Lithuanian Metrics that was recorded and amassed in the palace is likened to a state archive, and the redaction of editions of the Statute of Lithuania also took place there. At present, the most valuable archaeological discoveries are on display at the exhibition titled “The Palace Treasury – a Storehouse of Lithuanian and European Cultural Heritage” at the Museum of Applied Arts. BiL What historical ties linked Lithuania with the Scandinavian countries? Lithuania encountered the Viking predecessors of the Scandinavians rather early on. As is known, in the 8th–11th centuries, Scandinavians dominated not only the Baltic Sea region, but also reached and became established in Britain, France, southern Italy, Sicily, and founded Kievan

Jewellery of Catherine Jagiellon, taken away from Vilnius as part of her dowry, made by jeweller Nicolaus Nonarth, Nuremberg (?), 1546, Uppland County Museum, Sweden

Portrait of Sigismund Vasa, Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland, Flanders, first half of 17th century, National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania reproduction (the original is stored in Beyerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen)

Rus’. The most well-known encounter between the Vikings and the Balts was the attack on Apuolė Castle in 845. At the time, the defenders of Apuolė had just fought-off an attack from the Danes and were fighting the army of the King of Sweden Olof. According to chronicles, after eight days of resistance, the population of Apuolė surrendered and paid out an enormous ransom to the Swedes. In terms of Lithuanian-Scandinavian relations it is symbolic that the first mention of the Lithuanian nation in written sources was in fact in the account of the battle of Apuolė. Nevertheless, the Balts, unlike other || 85

European nations, managed to remain unconquered by the Vikings. Whilst carrying out their attacks in the pagan Lithuanian lands, the Vikings also created a wide trading network and actively implemented cultural exchange.

Décor element of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania – exterior fragment made of Swedish sandstone with the Vasa’s coat of arms, surrounded by the Order of the Golden Fleece chain, first half of 17th century, National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

Portrait of Władysław Vasa, Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland, about 1637, National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania reproduction (the original is stored in National Museum in Warsaw)

Portrait of John Casimir Vasa, Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland, 17th century (?), National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania 86 ||

Attempted Christian missions coordinated by the bishops of Lund were also launched from Scandinavian countries into the Baltic lands, including therefore lands inhabited by Lithuanians. The lands of the Balts were always geo-politically attractive both to their Eastern and Western neighbours. The Baltic clans lived according to pagan customs for a very long time – and this was a perfect argument for the expansion of their neighbouring states. The Christian missions had the blessing of the Roman popes and were conducted not only via the word of the Gospel, but by the sword as well. And even though the Scandinavians had their share of interest in the Baltic Sea region, they were eventually ousted by the powerful forces of the Teutonic Order. Many of the Baltic clans were defeated. An exception was the Lithuanians. In the 12th–13th centuries, they were the only Balts to consolidate their own state. Later on, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania spread eastward for several hundred years, becoming one of the largest European states and reaching from the Baltic to the Black Sea. Yet politically and culturally, Lithuania had a strong orientation towards Western Europe. This orientation was further enhanced by its acceptance of Catholicism and the personal union with Poland. For almost two centuries, from the late 14th century, the Grand Duke of Lithuania and the King of Poland was usually a monarch from the Lithuanian Gediminid-Jagiellon dynasty. With the geo-political upheavals of the 16th century and the intensification of the powers of Muscovian Rus, Lithuania started losing its territories in the East and once again looked to the Baltic. This had a positive impact on Lithuania’s trade and economic relations with Scandinavian countries, and cultural exchange also strengthened. Crucial changes

unfolded in the political arena as well, and it was the dynastic union that played the largest role. In 1562 the grand wedding of the representative of the Gediminid-Jagiellon dynasty, Catherine Jagiellon, the sister of the reigning Lithuanian and Polish ruler, Sigismund Augustus, and the Duke of Finland, John Vasa, took place at the Vilnius Cathedral and the residence of the grand dukes of Lithuania. The 450th anniversary of this event was marked by an international conference and a series of cultural events. The King of Sweden Eric XIV was opposed to the wedding, but in addition to opening the way for the Lithuanian descendents of the rulers to ascend to the Swedish royal throne, it also guaranteed representatives of the Vasa dynasty the thrones of the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania. When the newlyweds arrived in Sweden after the wedding ceremony, John Vasa was accused of treason and was imprisoned in Gripsholm Castle along with his wife for seven years. After four years of imprisonment, the couple had a son, Sigismund Vasa, who later became the initiator of the Vasa dynasty in the Lithuanian-Polish state. After another three years John III of Sweden (Vasa) took the Swedish throne and Princess Catherine who was of Lithuanian and Polish origins became the Queen of Sweden. Testimony of the memory of this female ruler is her exquisite tomb in the Lund Cathedral. What is interesting is that the devout Catholic mother Catherine raised her son Sigismund Vasa as a zealous Catholic in a Protestant country. Sigismund learnt the Polish language and from his very childhood he was brought up as a contender to the throne of the Lithuanian-Polish state. It should be noted that the Vasa dynasty was very proud of the origins of the Gediminid-Jagiellons and therefore had the strong support of the Lithuanian and Polish nobility – all of this contributed positively to his prospective political career. Sigismund Vasa, and later his two sons – Władysław and John Casimir – ruled Lithuania and Poland for over 80 years. The era of the Swedish

branch of the Vasa dynasty had a huge impact on the political, economic and cultural life of Lithuania. After more than two decades of military action the question of the division of Livonia (present-day Estonia and Latvia) was resolved. Russia, Lithuania, Poland, Denmark and Sweden competed for influence in the region and for direct access to the Baltic Sea. Eventually, in 1582, a peace agreement was signed regarding the division of Livonia. Historical accounts testify that the Queen of Sweden, Catherine Jagiellon, contributed to the regulation of relations with Livonia. Lithuania’s and Scandinavia’s historical ties developed more later on as well. 1655 saw the signing of the infamous Union of Kėdainiai, whereby the Kingdom of Sweden and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania joined to form one state, albeit for a short time. In the early 18th century the factual rulers of Lithuania, the Sapieha princes, actively cooperated with the King of Sweden Charles XII. In the late 18th century, both Sweden, and Lithuania along with Poland diligently monitored and, to an extent, coordinated their actions in an effort to resist the expansion of the Russian Empire. BiL What was the significance of the reign of the Vasa dynasty on Lithuania’s history? The period of rule of the Vasa dynasty, also known as the “Silver Age”, was turbulent and changeable. It is interesting that regardless of any political, dynastic or military conflicts over the inheritance of the Swedish throne, trade and cultural relations between Lithuania and the other Scandinavian countries during the reign of the Vasas were very intensive. Ships from Lithuania transported agricultural produce and other raw materials to Sweden, and returned loaded with Swedish sandstone and limestone which was widely used not just in the construction of churches and palaces in Lithuania, but in Poland and other countries in the region as well. Even today, it is usual to find such 17th-century Swedish stone flooring in older churches, for example, the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul and the Church of the Holy Spirit in Vilnius,

and elsewhere. This stone was used in the construction of St. Casimir’s Chapel in the Vilnius Cathedral – an impressive example of early Italian Baroque architecture, which, according to art researchers, would not be out of place in any corner of Rome. Under the sponsorship, encouragement and patronage of the rulers, Vilnius University flourished and the arts ventured into new forms of expression. At the initiative of the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania Władysław Vasa, the first opera to be produced in Lithuania, Il Ratto di Helena (The Abduction of Helen), was staged in the rulers’ palace in Vilnius in 1636 – a decade earlier than in Paris or London. This ruler invited Italian composers, musicians, singers, actors, dancers and stage designers to Vilnius specifically for the production of the opera. Meanwhile, his wife Cecilia Renata of Austria introduced dance as a form of art, staging 13 ballets which resembled major ceremonies held at the residence that gradually became a palace tradition.

Trumpet flag with coats of arms of Lithuania, Poland, Sweden and the Vasa dynasty from the period of Sigismund Vasa, Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland, beginning of 17th century, Armemuseum, Sweden

BiL If a very respected guest were to visit you from Scandinavia who was interested in culture, history and architecture, how would you impress them? First on the list would be the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania where the rulers of the Vasa dynasty lived and reigned, as well as the nearby St. Casimir’s Chapel in the Vilnius Archcathedral and St. Teresa’s Church. Early Baroque Vilnius in general is the work of the Swedish line of the Vasa dynasty. Similarly, every Lithuanian visiting Sweden should visit the Uppsala Cathedral and pray at the tomb of Catherine Jagiellon, the woman who brought Sweden and Lithuania closer together. We share a common, interesting past. Our museum gathers information about the spread of our Lithuanian heritage abroad. Our colleagues from Swedish and Danish museums assist us in this task. So, you could say that the Vasas’ idea to unite the Baltic Sea region is truly alive, it is simply being realized in new ways that are proving to be very fruitful.

Ceremonial suit of armour of Sigismund Augustus, Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland, which went to Catherine Jagiellon after his death, made by craftsman Kunz Lochner, Nuremberg, 16th century, Livrustkammaren, Stockholm

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Photos by t&v | creep fotographers

Could you imagine how a miniature bee or fly flutters with its tiny wings? Their contour almost disappears in the space - only a bewitching view evocative of a miracle remains. A similar feeling is caused by creative expressions of lithuanian jewelry and fashion designer INGRIDA DIDIKAshe radiates inexhaustible energy and has remained striking imprints in varios spheres of self- expression and in varios towns too starting from New York, Paris and extending the geography to other towns of the world. Collections of single and unigue jewelry and accessories such as scarves,shawls, thematic collections of dresses and one of the resent collections of jewelry MICROWORLD presented before several months in Vilnius and New York. MICROWORLD jewelry collection works, such as necklaces, earrings, rings,and so on... were as if touched by a nature world elements - micro life - real flies, bees, moss, flowers and other which was completed in silver, gold with precious stones. Each person can found a lot of interesting elements at her works, which maybe your eye never fixed on itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like stopped motion or photo flash for one second. She creates with a person in mind who has a passion of design,strong sense of style and appreciation for unigue and modern jewellery. Ingrida Didika design recipe: A bit of perfume of meadow flowers A pinch of feelings and some ocean sound A spoon of your smile A frech guest of wind and here comes a piece of jewelry. ingriddidika@yahoo.com

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Interior details Table accessories Sculptures Prizes

JSC “Stiklo paslaptis” was established in 2004, following the best traditions of Lithuanian glassblowing production. It is a strong and modern decorative glass producing basis which produces only the highest quality articles while applying a great variety of glass manufacturing possibilities. The employees of the studio are highly experienced glassblowers and educated artists–designers. The company actively participates in exhibitions and trade fairs not only in Lithuania, but also all over Europe. We provide a great possibility to develop your imagination, therefore we offer: consultation of professional artists and designers; the creation of desired product according to your requests and needs; commercial collaboration.

HAND MADE GLASS

Photos by Eimantas Ludavičius and Šarūnė Vaitkutė

Mysterious Creations by Kornelija Gerikaitė

Kornelija Gerikaitė is one of the most interesting young Lithuanian artists. After a successful career working as a model (in Italy, Japan and UK), she chose a creative path. Her work, often surrealistic, is full of hidden meanings and associations. The artist creates mostly conceptual pieces, richly textured and masterly executed. “Archaic “look, when art pieces are intricately aged and remind of Renaissance jewellery prevail in treatments of objects (boxes, bracelets). Usually embossed copper and silver are complex and detailed, styled with playfulness and irony. Examples are series playing with lips, there we find the smile of Fluxus movement founder George Maciunas, Mona Lisa’s smile, a zipped mouth, lips of a Greek goddess, all with character and accompanying story, where interpretations are social, historical and cultural. It’s a surrealistic collection and it characterizes the author as a free thinker, but her work is serious and with a clear meaning. Beauty itself as a goal is not interesting to the artist; she likes her objects to be used, to be in contact with a person. Juxtaposition of old and new creates tension and emotion, objects often have inner dynamism. Author achieves an aesthetically rich result while combining different techniques and surfaces, expressing her emotions with metal. She has an uncanny sense of style, maybe inborn, maybe infused during her years as a model; therefore her objects and jewellery are refined and subtle. Kornelija Gerikaitė is one of the artists to keep an eye on in the future. Eglė Dean

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Fluxus smile. Copper, hammering, soother

American smile. Copper, gold plating, hammering

Babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s belly button box. Silver, hammering

Bracelet â&#x20AC;&#x153;self-portraitâ&#x20AC;?. Copper, gold plating, enamel, drawing

50-year-old belly button box. Copper, hammering

4 brooches with amber. Copper, silver, amber

Bracelet. Copper, silver plating

Bracelet with Marilyn Monroe. Copper, enamel, drawing

www.kornelijagerikaite.edicypages.com

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Hi, my name is Regina

and I make Your dreams come true...

Though I haven‘t any background of art education, I have limitless imagination and sentimental soul and my curiosity always leads me to exploring new things. My renovated and decorated furniture and wardrobe knobs, hand painted wall murals and various interior design elements will create unique spaces considering Your individuality, interests and temperament. Little colourful finger theatres characters lead children into a fairytale. By acting their imagination, speech and communication skills are exercised. Cheerful hand puppets help parents to explain children surrounding world and emotions in game form. Any anger, envy, sadness can be hidden in such friends‘ special pocket. Children also adore little soft monsters that I create from ordinary socks. I know how creative kids are and I attempt to recreate fantasies from their drawings. Also I love to make various silk and felt accessories, jewel and little souvenirs as for elder as for little ones. Nevertheless every new person I hopefully ask what can I do for him, every time expecting new challenge. I always ensure everybody that everything is possible and then with passion I start thinking, learning and experimenting till finally I make their dreams become true. And this is fascinating. I’m very happy to create perfect micro world full of love – mikrobas.eu

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“Mažoji galerija” is one of the first private art galleries in Vilnius since Lithuania has gained its independence and exists for 16 years already. Its director is a professional graphic designer Volanda, who chooses each exhibit very carefully. The main selection criterion is professionalism, regardless of the art form (fine or applied) to which a piece belongs. The broad scope of exposition encompasses unique works made by painters, graphic designers, sculptors, ceramic artists and jewellers. The gallery offers not only contemporary art pieces, but classical works of artists called “Litvaks” and other works of soviet era and pre-war period as well. We have a rich history and a peculiar art school along with talented artists and their high-quality works. We are proud of these artists and it is the main goal of the gallery to promote them. Although in our day and time there is literally a jungle of art pieces on offer, a true gem is not as hard to find as one might think. Let us help you in spotting it...

www.smallgallery.net | 95

Mikalojus Povilas Vilutis was born on 3 May 1944 in Vilnius. Between 1963 and 1970 he studied graphic art at the Lithuanian State Art Institute. He has held over ten personal shows, participated in numerous group exhibitions, and won prizes in Lithuania and abroad. In 2004 he won the Lithuanian National Prize for Culture and Art. The art critic Elena Vilkienė wrote the following in 1999: ‘Vilutis is an artist whose works cannot be linked to any of the stylistic trends in Lithuanian art. They were too modern and avant-garde within the context of Lithuanian art in the 1970s, and thus incomprehensible. They were acknowledged ten years later, for Vilutis is an eminent Lithuanian artist, whose decorative, laconic, grotesque, and associative style continues to be unique and original to this day.’ The art critic Jurgita Ludavičiene wrote: ‘Mikalojus Povilas Vilutis is a strange figure on the Lithuanian fine art scene, just like his characters. Turned with their mannerist profiles facing the viewer, they put on a theatrical action reminiscent of pittura metaphysica, but give no right to paticipate in it. Grafika metafizika – a hybrid LithuanianItalian verbal centaur kindly offers its back, and with its hooves it splits apart the elements of theatre. 96 ||

Blue Knight. 1990. Serigraphy. 33X39

Mikalojus Povilas

Vilutis

Aggression. 1979. Serigraphy. 39X33

RS. 2011. Drawing, Photoshop. 20X15

TADO. 2012. Drawing, Photoshop. 20X15 M. 2012. Drawing, Photoshop. 20X15 | 97

Ex Lbris. 2009. Drawing, Photoshop. 7,5X8,5 Ex Lbris. 2011. Drawing, Photoshop. 7,5X8,5

AS. 2012. Drawing, Photoshop. 20X15 Ex Lbris. 2011. Drawing, Photoshop. 7,5X8,5

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