SLOVENIA invites you! – UK, November 2017

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SLOvenia www.slo-mag.si

invites you!

We can speak of excellent cooperation between the Asko and Gorenje Groups, says the Head of the Asko Division of the Gorenje Group, Matteo Andrej Božič, president Camesasca 6-9. of the glass division of Steklarna Hrastnik

Scottish whisky would fit nicely in the bottles of Steklarna Hrastnik 6-10

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36.25 Republic of Slovenia Capital: Ljubljana

Population: 2 million Land area: 20,273 km2

billion pounds – gross domestic product in Slovenia in 2016

17,561 pounds – gross domestic product per capita (in Slovenia in 2016)

Coastline length: 46 kilometers

4.4% GDP growth in (2017*)

8.3% export growth in (2017*)

7.9% import growth in (2017*)

Currency: EURO

1,421 pounds – average gross salary in 2016.

924 pounds – average net salary in 2016

0.1% average inflation in 2016

11.2%

A member of: EU, NATO, OECD * Year-on-year in the second quarter of 2017.

average unemployment rate in 2016

It’s all about knowledge, innovation and development

C

ooperation between the U.K. and Slovenia is in great shape, are according to Sophie Honey, the British Ambassador of Slovenia.

Political ties between the two countries are strong, economic relations are excellent and trade has been slowly increasing ever since Slovenia gained its independence in 1991.

Despite Brexit bringing some uncertainties and changes, this will not undermine the good relations formed between British and Slovenian companies in the past and those that will be in the future. It is here that knowledge, innovation and development are more significant than the potential new legal framework resulting from Brexit. Slovenian businesspeople also appreciate the loyalty of British consumers, which takes a while to build, and has earned results in long-term cooperation, which is something often pointed out by Slovenian business managers.

Slovenia invites you!

NOVEMBER 2017 On the cover: Andrej Božič, president of the glass division of Steklarna Hrastnik Photography: Aleš Beno

Editor: Vanja Tekavec Technical Editor: Maja Volk Photography Processing: Sandi Baumkirher Translation: PSD, d. o. o. (www. psdtranslation.com/en)

Although Brexit will bring some questions and changes, this will not disrupt the good relations between British and Slovenian companies or those that are yet to occur. And here, knowledge, innovation and development count more than a new legal framework for business due to Brexit.

There are already a few British investments in Slovenia, but we’d like to see many more since Slovenia requires foreign investments in almost all spheres of the economy. Maybe this investment will be recognized as an opportunity by those British partners who until now have not focused on Slovenia. We present a few of these opportunities in this magazine.

Vanja Tekavec

Project Manager: Monika Klinar Telephone: +386 1 30 91 480 E-Mail: monika.klinar@finance.si Advertisement Marketing: Telephone: +386 1 30 91 590 E-Mail: oglasi@finance.si Circulation: 16,000

Publisher: Časnik Finance, d. o. o., Bleiweisova cesta 30, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia www.finance.si Director and Editor in Chief: Peter Frankl

www.slo-mag.si Slovenia invites you! 3

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WHERE WOULD YOU PARK IT? GORENJE RETRO SPECIAL EDITION FRIDGE www.gorenje.co.uk

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www.slo-mag.si Slovenia invites you! 5

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Partners of this edition of the magazine

5

2

TRIMO d.o.o.

4

GORENJE d.d.

9

STEKLARNA HRASTNIK d.o.o.

11

HETA ASSET RESOLUTION d.o.o.

12

ADRIA MOBIL, d.o.o.

15

IMPOL 2000 d.d.

17

Akrapovič d.d.

19

DUTB d.d.

21

RIKO, d.o.o.

25

EPILOG d.o.o.

27

REM d.o.o.

30 31

Zavod za turizem Maribor - Pohorje

35

BRITANSKO-SLOVENSKA GOSPODARSKA ZBORNICA

36

Slovenska turistična organizacija

INTERVIEW: Andrej Božič, president of the glass division of Steklarna Hrastnik

Scottish whisk would fit nice the bottles of Steklarna Hr

S

teklarna Hrastnik, a Slovenian manufacturer of glass products with a 150-year tradition, creates 95 percent of sales in 55 markets abroad. The company’s main markets are Poland, Italy, France and Germany, and their main selling advantages are special bottles of superpremium quality, which they aim to use to increase their share of the British market. But their ambitions do not stop there. “We wish to connect with a local partner in the United Kingdom in sales and post-sales activities,” says Andrej Božič, president of the glass division of Steklarna Hrastnik. The glassworks are located in Hrastnik, in Central Slovenia.

Andrej Božič is also a former president of the British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce, which strives to strengthen economic relations between Slovenia and the United Kingdom. We talked to Božič about the importance of the British market for glassmakers, and about the possibilities that make Slovenia attractive to British investors.

Mr. Božič, as the former president of the British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce, you have worked for the Swiss multinational engineering company ABB and for the Mondi Group, and you are now the president of the 6 Slovenia invites you! www.slo-mag.si

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ky ely in

Aleš Beno

rastnik glass division for the owner of Steklarna Hrastnik, so you are familiar with the British market. Why is it important for Steklarna Hrastnik?

It is large, purchasing power is big and it is quality-oriented, which is very important for a manufacturer of special bottles of premium and super-premium quality. The largest multinational beverage corporations are located in the United Kingdom, and if a company such as ours is present in this industry, then it is one of the most important markets. We have been present there since 2013. And it is also a market where long-term cooperation is possible once you build the trust, as British buyers are very loyal. This is a great advantage. But this is possible only if your service has continuous quality, and that is why we are searching for connections with local partners in distribution and post-sales activities. This will additionally guarantee that our services will be optimum.

At the beginning of the year, you presented the company to manufacturers of spirit drinks in Glasgow. What connections have you

Andrej Božič says that Slovenia has all the conditions to become a logistical hub for the United Kingdom in South­ eastern Europe.

created and what potential can you see in cooperation with manufacturers of spirit drinks?

There are 200 distilleries just in Scotland.

We are happy that products from our table glassware division have reached established stores, and we would also like to open the door of beverage brands in the next two to three years. We are currently creating almost 60 million euros of income per year and we estimate that there is at least 10 to 12 million euros of opportunities per year in the British market. We are also satisfied with the sales of promotional glasses for drinks.

Have you also considered purchasing a factory in the United Kingdom?

At the moment, the best model for us for expanding into the United Kingdom is connecting to a local partner in the field of sales and post-sales activities, as post-sales service is of crucial importance in our branch. This way, we can use the power of the vast British market in an optimum manner. We are still searching for a partner, but at the moment we are focusing more on our new factory in Poland, which will partially supply the British market as well. www.slo-mag.si Slovenia invites you! 7

Aleš Beno

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Are you also developing a business model for demanding buyers, such as the ones from the United Kingdom?

Steklarna Hrastnik is developing a “one stop shop” model, which means that we want to cover all the buyers’ needs in one place. The buyer comes to us with a basic idea for a bottle and our experts, designers and partners will develop, manufacture and decorate it, and we will also provide corks and the rest.

The buyer only needs to fill it.

How far along are the plans for your new factory in Poland?

We need to increase our capacities to keep one of the leading positions as a supplier to manufacturers of premium drinks. Having several locations and improved capacities sends a signal that we are a safe and flexible provider, which will also reflect in bigger sales shares with leading buyers.

We have sufficient demand and we have learned that, at the moment, Poland is logistically the most suitable for us to also supply the Russian market, Baltic countries and part of the British market. We will start with preparation for construction before 8 Slovenia invites you! www.slo-mag.si

“People in our glassworks make glass with passion.

We also have the technical skill to incorpo­rate the craziest ideas into our products.”

Andrej Božič, president of the glass division of Steklarna Hrastnik

the end of the year. There are many opportunities. The Polish are known for their spirits, and many multinational companies in the beverage industry have their filling facilities in Poland.

Steklarna Hrastnik receives most of its income by selling to reference buyers.

How important are own brands for you?

We still achieve most sales with reference buyers, including acclaimed global corporations, brand owners, distributors and retail chains such as Hennessy, Heineken, Villeroy & Boch, Sainsbury’s, Bacardi Martini and many others who require the best quality. Cooperation with brand owners is very important for us as they are mostly customers that work with us in the development department.

The tableware programe is sold under our own brand, but we have our own catalogue of standard HighGlass spirit bottles in special glass packaging. We also have the HighGlass perfumes brand.

Last year, we entered the cosmetic and perfume packaging segment. We are very happy about that. One production line has already sold out, and we are already thinking about

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION future, including for milk and dairy products.

Our buyers are increasingly conscious and are willing to pay more for an environmentally friendly product. We must also be pervasive with new technologies and in following this goal. We are searching for and developing technological solutions that are friendly to the environment and users, and efficient. Our long-term vision is to melt glass without fossil fuels.

a new one. Our Polish factory will also have a cosmetic and perfume packaging line.

How will you build your visibility in the future?

In the future, we will be orienting towards connecting with partners to provide the perfect service for the final buyer rather than developing our own brands. We will also be increasing cooperation with established manufacturers of beverage brands. These days, consumers are more oriented to drinking less, but better quality. If the drink has quality, it also requires better packaging. This trend is strongly present for wine and spirits.

We wish to offer the final buyer the exact product they wish for. The majority of drinks are sold as gifts and the buyer wants a gift to have quality, which is different, more personal.

We are also talking about cooperation with the world-renowned manufacturer of crystal Swarovski.

Our other focus is on glass as environmentfriendly packaging. I believe that governments of European countries will strive for glass packaging to replace plastic in the

Where do you see Steklarna Hrastnik in five years, will the bottle still be your most important product?

With at least two factories in Europe. And we will redesign the existing plant in Hrastnik into a smart plant. Therefore, we are already working on all the processes that are required for the operation of such a plant. This way, we will also increase our responsiveness to the demands of buyers and our flexibility, and we will also improve our capability of manufacturing personalized products. We also have big plans in the future for our priority markets, the United Kingdom and USA.

THE BRILLIANCE AND PERFECTION OF GLASS

S P I R I T S

Produced by Steklarna Hrastnik, trusted partner of high-proďŹ le spirits brands in the UK and worldwide. www.hrastnik1860.com

info@hrastnik1860.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION You have been present in the British market since 2013, then Brexit happened. Will this affect your business on the British market?

Every issue can also be seen as an opportunity; can Brexit also be an opportunity for Slovenia and for the United Kingdom?

There are still many possibilities for economic cooperation between the countries. Slovenia may be a small local market, but we are export-oriented. Slovenia exports 70 percent of its gross domestic product, which means that we have excellent contacts with partners in Austria, Italy, Germany, to mention only the most important.

Why could Slovenia be even more attractive for companies and investors from the United Kingdom?

We can provide excellent logistics support from our cargo port at the Port of Koper, close to the Slovenian-Italian border, and services all the way to Frankfurt, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland and, of course, the Balkans. According to statistics, 90 percent of the population in Slovenia speaks a foreign language, mostly English.

Useful links Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in London Tadej Rupel, Ambassador sloembassy.london@gov.si Phone no.: +44 20 7222 5700 The Consulate-General of the Republic of Slovenia in Scotland Ana Wersun, Honorary ConsulGeneral sloveneconsulate@btinternet.com Phone no.: +44 131 3375167

Aleš Beno

It will, as the legal framework for doing business will change, but I believe that the European Union and the United Kingdom are aware of the importance of cooperation. So, I am counting on agreements of the transition of the United Kingdom leaving the EU. They will enable normal work. Brexit is a political issue and a challenge for businesspeople, to which we will need to adjust.

“These days, consumers are more oriented to drinking less, but better quality. If the drink has quality, it also requires better packaging.”

Andrej Božič, president of the glass division of Steklarna Hrastnik

This percentage is even higher in the business world.

We also have excellent broadband internet connectivity, not only in the main centers of the country, but also in the countryside, where there are attractive industrial zones with infrastructure. This is not only an opportunity for large but also for small British companies.

Even in a radius of 10 miles from the main Slovenian airport, in Brnik, there are several trade zones in the northeastern part of Slovenia. An excellent labor force is also a great advantage of Slovenia. Relations between the countries are excellent. Many well-known people have visited Slovenia in the past year, including the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, who came earlier this year.

The Consulate of the Republic of Slovenia in Northern Ireland Suzanne Hill, Honorary Consul suzanne@handelexport.com Phone no.: +44 28 9092 3378 ​ Bank Assets Management Company www.dutb.si ​ info@dutb.eu Phone no.: +386 1 429 38 77 Slovenian Sovereign Holding (public company, responsible for running privatization process) www.sdh.si info@sdh.si Phone no.: +386 1 300 91 13

10 Slovenia invites you! www.slo-mag.si

Vanja Tekavec

SPIRIT Slovenia (Public Agency for Internationalization, Foreign Investments) www.spiritslovenia.si info@spiritslovenia.si Phone no.: +386 1 589 18 70 Slovenian Tourist Board Maja Pak, Director info@slovenia.info Phone no.: +386 1 589 85 50 British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce President Miha Žerko www.bscc.si Phone no.: +386 8 205 09 66

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION ADRIA CONCESSIONAIRES LTD.

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Adria novelties for the new 2018 season: Love the original: Adria Action caravan is back!

The original and much-loved Action caravan gets a makeover and returns to the U.K. It retains the unique shape and personality of the original Action, launched in 2005, and its core DNA, by being a lightweight but spacious and well-equipped caravan. It’s a compelling caravan and it feels like the sun is always shining on the new Action, putting a smile on everyone’s face. The new Action has contemporary new interior design, with space and comfortable accommodations for up to three people. Includes Adria exclusive features such as the Adria Smart kitchen and Ergo bathroom, as well as Truma heating.

The Adria Team - Adria Concessionaires Limited

Adria – Inspiring adventures since 1965

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2018 Adria Sonic – Freedom to express yourself

Sonic, Adria’s latest A-class range of luxury motorhomes, is designed not just to travel, but for you to express yourself. There is a choice of layouts in the Sonic range, offering top levels of functionality with their own styling and personality. For season 2018 there are new layouts, new exterior graphics, new interior styling and new textiles, perfect for those who love to travel in style and luxury.

Adria caravans, motorhomes and vans for all year round use Adria has a full lineup of leisure vehicles with layouts for all users and all Adria caravans, motorhomes and camper vans are built to Adria’s Thermobuild standards.

These are exclusive, industryleading standards Adria has set for insulation, heating, cooling and airflow management. We achieve these standards by intelligent design of our body construction, which includes Grade 3 insulation materials, the optimized integration of heating systems (from Alde and Truma) and the application of the Adria Air Flow System for ventilated interiors.

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How Slovenian companies do business in the British market

Once business is set, it is a pleasure to work with the British

A

ccording to a short company survey on their businesses and ambitions in the British market, the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union will not dampen the business plans of successful Slovenian exporters to the U.K.

Akrapovič company growing in the U.K. for three consecutive years

For Akrapovič, an internationally recognized manufacturer of exhaust systems, the British market presents one of the most important markets in Europe, and is also one of the world markets where the company first began its expansion.

14 Slovenia invites you! www.slo-mag.si

“Because of its history, the U.K. is considered the cradle of motoring, motorsports and motorcycling. It is a highly developed and mature market with demanding consumers. In the motoring industry, it’s worth mentioning our cooperation with Bentley, with whom we have developed and created exhaust systems for the Continental GT3-R, Continental Supersports and in Bentayga models in the last three years,” says a representative of the company that has been present in the British market since the early ‘90s.

The British market accounts for 4 to 5 percent of the company’s annual sales, this year expected to reach 100 million euros.

The company emphasizes that in recent years they have experienced constant growth in the British market, and point out that their future plans involve maintaining strong relations with sales partners and preserving a well-developed sales network of exhaust systems for motorcycles and cars, and development of new products.

“A big opportunity for us is also the development of exhaust systems for newer car models, present in the British market, for which we do not yet offer products. We also wish to maintain strong ties with the racing world, mainly the British Superbikes series,” emphasized a company representative.

Among their main partners in the automotive field are the recognized racing brand Aston Martin Racing, and in the motorcycling

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, has good connections with European capitals, which is an advantage for investors, if they want to have efficient control of their business.

field, Yamaha Motor Europe, Kawasaki Motors Europe and Honda Motor Europe, which has its headquarters in the U.K.

Trimo leaves its mark at Heathrow Airport

The Trimo Group, one of the leading European providers of building envelope solutions, facade and roof systems, steel constructions and modular space solutions, has been present in the U.K. market since 2001. Trimo’s solutions are used by Airbus, London Heathrow Airport, Nestle, Philips, DHL, Porsche, IKEA, Prologis, Mercedes-Benz, Coca-Cola and many others. Trimo also cooperates with recognized architecture studios, such as Foster + Partners and Mecanoo.

Trimo annually generates a revenue of over 100 million euros. In the coming years, it plans on strengthening its business in the U.K. market, while focusing on the residential market, for which Trimo has constructed solutions that are sustainable and energy-efficient and allow fast installation. The company, which generates 95 percent of its revenue abroad, also points out

Jacob Riglin/sto

The British market is known as the cradle of motoring and motorsports, still thriving with opportunities for development and sale of new products, says Igor Akrapovič, founder and owner of exhaust system company Akrapovič.

Rods

Tubes

Profiles

Foils

Impol, Partizanska 38, 2310 Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenia, 00386 2 84 53 100, www.impol.com

Discs

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION picture as the market for testing and development, which can then be used for our operation elsewhere across the world,” added Kralj. Bisol has also had its sales company in the U.K. since 2011.

Arup, Simon Kennedy

Swatycomet – launched like a comet on the British market

that all of their products are, of course, non-combustible. They market their solutions under their own brand in more than 60 countries across the world, and their sales network is directly present in 30 countries.

Slovenian expertise on the roofs of British homes

16 Slovenia invites you! www.slo-mag.si

Irena Herak

The British market is also considered one of the most important for the Slovenian manufacturer of high-quality photovoltaic modules and loadbearing constructions for solar power plants, the Bisol Group. The company generates approximately 3 percent of their entire 75.4 million annual sales in the U.K. Dag Kralj, Member of the Board of Bisol, stated that the future looks promising. “The British photovoltaic market, like most Western European markets, is starting to focus more on the segment of small solar power plants on residential structures, increasingly emphasizing private use of energy produced in such a manner.

With constantly decreasing prices of solar power plants and relatively high electricity prices in the U.K., there is increasingly less need for subsidizing of such structures, which makes the British market especially interesting and promises future growth,” stated Kralj.

This year Bisol is intensively expanding its distribution network in the British market, while integrating local knowledge together with its British partner, resulting in the development and introduction of an innovative method of integrated module installation. “It is this particular segment of integrated solutions for erection of solar power plants [so-called BIPV, building integrated PV], where solar panels are taking over the role of primary roofing, that is expected to experience the highest growth, and the British market, in particular, is one of the leading markets in this field. In this context, we also see a broader

Trimo’s facade system Qbiss One on Equinix LD6 Data Center outside London.

CEO of Trimo Maciej Radomski

The Slovenian company Swatycomet, one of the leading manufacturers of artificial abrasives and technical fabrics in Europe, has been present in the British market for 35 years. At the moment, the British market represents a 2.5 percent market share, whereas its future plans are even more ambitious, as it intends to increase its market share to 5 percent. When its new brand of abrasives, Metalynx, comes into play, recently launched with the intention of expanding into the British market.

“We have chosen the British market to launch our new Metalynx brand of abrasives because of how open it is, and because it suits our price positioning strategy,” says the Director-General of Swatycomet, Matjaž Merkan. “It’s also a market that, upon obtaining trust, offers long-term cooperation due to the loyalty of British consumers,” added Jani Škof, who is in charge of the British market at Swatycomet.

For the purpose of expansion in the British market, Swatycomet has also joined forces with a local partner, International Abrasives of Leicester, which will be the main distributor of Metalynx.

“International Abrasives of Leicester is a rapidly growing specialist for abrasives with profound market awareness, with whom we get along very well,” Jani Škof added. Since 2015, Swatycomet has been a part of the Weiler Corporation, an

The Slovenian company Swatycomet is entering the British market with new brand of abrasives aimed at the highest price bracket, says the Director-General of Swatycomet, Matjaž Merkan.

TAKE YOUR YOUR PORSCHE PORSCHE TAKE TO THE THE NEXT NEXT LEVEL LEVEL TO Enter new dimension with the Akrapovič Slip-On Line for the Porsche 911 Enter Enteraaanew newdimension dimensionwith withthe theAkrapovič AkrapovičSlip-On Slip-OnLine Linefor forthe thePorsche Porsche911 911 Turbo Turbo (991.2).

Top-notch design, noticeable performance upgrade, Turbo Turbo///Turbo TurboSSS(991.2).

(991.2).Top-notch Top-notchdesign, design,noticeable noticeableperformance performanceupgrade, upgrade, and truly captivating sound reflect Akrapovič’s uncompromising quality and and andaaatruly trulycaptivating captivatingsound soundreflect reflectthe theAkrapovič’s Akrapovič’s uncompromising uncompromising quality quality provide a superb driving experience.

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Porsche 911 Turbo (991.2) Porsche Porsche911 911Turbo Turbo/ /Turbo / Turbo TurboSSS(991.2) (991.2) Slip-On Line rearCarbon carbon fibre diffuser Slip-On Slip-Online line(Titanium) (Titanium)with withRear Rear Carbonfiber fiberdiffuser diffuser More power More Morepower power Less weight Less Lessweight weight

Akrapovič d.d.

Malo Hudo 1295 Ivančna Gorica Akrapovič Akrapovičd.d. d.d.| ||Malo MaloHudo Hudo8a,8a, 8a,1295 1295Ivančna IvančnaGorica Gorica www.akrapovic.com www.akrapovic.com www.akrapovic.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION American family business. Swatycomet sells its products in 80 countries across the world, and through various distribution partners generates over 3 million euros of sales in the British market.

The company Union Hotels, where the British royal couple stayed in 2008, hopes to see more British guests in the future.

The hotel where the British royal couple once stayed

The company Union Hotels, where the British royal couple stayed in 2008, hopes to see more British guests in the future. Union Hoteli combines four hotels in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, and CEO of TPV is also the largest conference center. These hotels Group Marko are the Grand Hotel Union, Grand Hotel Union Gorjup, Business, Hotel Lev and the Central Hotel.

European “Due to its regulated infrastructure and accesCommissioner for Transport sibility, Ljubljana presents the most important conference [MICE] destination in Slovenia. A large Violeta Bulc and main portion of meetings are held in our Grand Hotel owner of Union, which is the largest conference hotel in TPV Vladimir the capital. We are aware of the significance and Gregor Bahč complexity of MICE guests; therefore we conrecently opened a new stantly strive to ensure the highest level of their smart factory satisfaction, which consequently results in their in Slovenia. return. For us, the British market is one of the most important markets and we hope that their market operators get to know us better. With such intentions we create fresh, unique offers, adapted to the MICE segment, and we closely cooperate with the congress office and other congress providers in Ljubljana with whom we jointly build recognition of Ljubljana in the British market as a boutique, authentic and attractive destination for summits,” emphasized Tomo Čeh, Director-General of Union Hoteli. Each year the company attends the Meetings Show in London, and this year they had a successful presentation at a roadshow in Leeds and Manchester.

Vanja Tekavec Jure Makovec

The Slovenian TPV Group, which develops and produces components for the automotive industry, such as bodywork, chassis and components, car seat elements and motor sealants, has been present in the British market since 2008. Even though the idea of opening a production line was abandoned due to the result of the referendum on the U.K. exiting the EU, the company does not intend to leave the British market as it’s highly important for their exports – not just because of the presence of internationally recognized car brands, but also because of the potential for development.

“We supply automotive components to the British market, such as car seats and chassis for recognized brands like BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, Land Rover and Toyota,” stated a representative of the company, which has in recent years become established as an important development supplier for the world’s most recognized car manufacturing brands.

Last year the TPV Group reached almost 140 million euros in revenue. Half of its revenue is generated by sales to car manufacturing brands BMW, Daimler, Volvo, Jaguar and Volkswagen, whereas the other half is generated by sales to companies Brose, Bentler, Mahle, Faurecia, Magna and other direct suppliers to car and truck manufacturers.

Jure Makovec

TPV are establishing themselves as development providers for manufacturers in the automotive industry

18 Slovenia invites you! www.slo-mag.si

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Glamorous ecological houses along the Cotswolds Lakes, which have become a resort for rich and famous British people, are being made in Slovenia.

RIKO

Philippe Starck, partner in the P.A.T.H. house, charms at the Cotswolds Lakes

R

iko is one of the leading engineering companies in southeast Europe, producing technologically advanced, ecological and visually perfect houses. They can be found across Europe and in New York.

“The P.A.T.H. house is one of the most known creations we have ever made together with French designer Philippe Starck. Together with our English partner, Coln LPP, we have built almost 100 houses in The Lakes by Yoo settlement in the Cotswolds,” explains Janez Škrabec, owner and CEO of Riko.

Riko has been building in the United Kingdom since 2005. They have been quickly noticed by the expert public. Riko’s wooden house located in central London won one of the most prestigious construction awards in the United Kingdom – the Wood Awards – in 2007.

Riko earned the special “Offsite” award for its original design, which combines 300-year-old surroundings with modern design, and for its unique and highquality wooden construction system. Riko’s wooden construction meets all ecological and low-energy standards. Although this is a prefabricated construction, Riko adapts each solution to the dimensions, desires and expectations of the client. Riko does not only build houses, it also builds wooden schools, hotels and kindergartens.

Exact expenses set in advance

Every future house owner wants to know how much the new house will cost before the construction. We guarantees it. The houses are prefabricated, which means that all individual parts of the house are made in advance with modern computer-managed ma20 Slovenia invites you! www.slo-mag.si

Riko Hiše

chines in the factory. Riko then delivers these parts to the site to be assembled. This enables cost-controlled, high-quality production, with speed being an additional advantage. “We can build a waterproof house in two weeks,” explains Janez Škrabec.

The United Kingdom is Riko’s largest market

The United Kingdom is Riko’s largest export market and it has built most of their houses with its partner Coln Park Lakes Construction LPP at the 8.5-hectare private property The Lakes by Yoo, located in the Cotswolds near Oxford. Waterfront and woodland homes here are built with the help of expert designers such as Marcel Wanders, Jade Jagger, Kelly Hoppen and Philippe Starck.

P.A.T.H. by Starck with Riko

Riko collaborates with Philippe Starck on the P.A.T.H. house, which is an acronym for prefabricated accessible technological homes. “My obsession is to make houses that improve people’s lives. I designed a house with Riko that is mostly prefabricated, and the majority of work is not done on-site. We provide prebuilt houses where the costs and project completion date can be determined in advance. It is designed to be included in various types of cultural and architectural landscapes.

It provides customization, since the owner may choose from three different house types, four types of roofs, three types of facades, different heating systems and floors,” said Philippe Starck at the presentation of the house in Paris.

Mateja Bertoncelj

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How attractive is Slovenia for foreign investments?

Slovenia could become a hub for British companies after Brexit

T

he region of Prekmurje is located in the north-eastern part of Slovenia, along the border with Austria and Hungary.

This tourist gem of Slovenia is known for the stories which a couple of hundred British buyers wrote by buying local property before the economic crisis in 2008, but the fact that Prekmurje is the location of the largest British investment in Slovenia is a little less known.

Natural gas has been extracted in Prekmurje for the past 70 years. Ascent Resources, a British independent oil and gas exploration company, saw the opportunity and started extracting gas in the spring from the new drill site in Petišovci close to the Slovenian-Hungarian border.

According to some estimates, there are 11.7 billion cubic metres of natural gas beneath Petišovci.

Multinational companies are relocating production to Slovenia The arrival of the British investor Ascent Resources is a positive example of Slovenia

The demand of British businesses for investment projects in central and eastern Europe is increasing.

After last year’s referendum on Brexit, the British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce is noticing that the demand of British businesses for investment projects in central and eastern Europe is increasing, particularly for moving production from Asia to the central part of the old European continent, and for finding new suppliers in the region. “Slovenia is an ideal location for British businesses and investors who are searching for highly educated labour and excellent knowledge of the English language particularly in sectors related to innovation and high-technology, such as the pharmaceutical and automotive industries, sustainable construction, green technologies, HI-tech, and information technology,” says CEO of British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce Barbara Uranjek.

22 Slovenia invites you! www.slo-mag.si

and its availability for complex investments which are, as in the case of Petišovci, related to long-term investment in research and development. Since entering the European Union (EU), Slovenia has become an increasingly globalised economy and open to foreign capital.

Information from 2015 shows that foreign investments are now over 11 billion euros.

Austria, with a 30.7 per cent share, is the largest foreign investor in direct investments, followed by the Germans and the Dutch with 9.4 and 8.8 per cent shares respectively, and then the Croatians and Italians.

Individual examples of foreign investments also indicate that Slovenia is becoming a competitive country since some global multinational companies are deciding to move production to this part of central Europe.

Canadian-Austrian car manufacturing giant Magna is planning to build a new painting facility in northern Slovenia, close to Slovenia’s second-largest city, Maribor, with 400 employees. They will significantly expand the investment in the future.

Japanese multinational companies are also starting to arrive in Slovenia. The leading global manufacturer of industrial robots, Yaskawa, and Japanese corporation Sumimoto Rubber Industries, who will invest in the production of medical elastomers, have selected Slovenia as the location for their new plants in Europe.

The Port of Koper as a logistics hub in central Europe

Slovenia is part of the so-called first-speed Europe – it is a member of NATO, the OECD, the Schengen area and since 2007 of the eurozone. These are all connections to the current core of Europe, which is further proof that the economic and political situation in Slovenia is stable, says Andrew Hunt

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The Port of Koper could become a key entry point for British products into Central and Western Europe.

Vodopivec, a Brit who is familiar with the Slovenian business environment, as he has worked at several leading Slovenian international companies.

Vodopivec points out that some of the most important advantages Slovenia has to offer to foreign investors, including British companies that try to find new locations for their business operations in Europe, are excellent connections with regional and European markets, quality infrastructure, a skilled labour force and high quality of life.

“Slovenia’s location is an excellent starting point for traveling in Central and Eastern Europe, and particularly for expanding to the former Yugoslav area, but it also has good connections with European capitals. From Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, you can quickly reach Frankfurt, Milan, Vienna, Brno or Budapest, which is an additional advantage for companies if they want to have efficient control of their business,” Vodopivec adds.

Regarding infrastructure, Vodopivec points out the importance of transport connections and the www.slo-mag.si Slovenia invites you! 23

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Slovenian cargo port, the Port of Koper, close to the Italian border, as a logistics and distribution centre for central and Southeastern Europe.

“The Port of Koper is the largest cargo port in the Adriatic. It has been growing so quickly in recent years that it has already surpassed the Port of Trieste, in Italy, with more cargo arriving in Koper, from where Slovenian international companies export goods to Africa, the Middle East, America and Asia.”

Slovenia is also classified high among European countries regarding broadband internet connectivity, and Vodopivec points out the accessibility of industrial and trade zones, which have the required infrastructure for setting up long-lasting investments or high-tech companies.

“I would add a good quality of life. When my friends from Great Britain come to visit, they first notice how green Slovenia is. You have everything in Slovenia – clean air, the sea, lakes, mountains covered in snow, which can be seen from the capital, Ljubljana, and low traffic,” he says.

Investors appreciate the knowledge and work habits of Slovenians

(Source: Financial Admini­stration of the Republic of Slovenia)

1,453 British citizens

Investors want stable and safe countries

Although Slovenia, with 2 million residents, is a small consumer market, the fact that investors are searching for safe countries these days works in the country’s favor for attracting foreign invest-

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Jacqueline Stewart, manager of Slovenia Invest, from Britain, who is an agent for commercial real estate in Slovenia, puts the highly educated and multilingual workforce at the top of her list

1,453 British citizens have purchased real estate in Slovenia since the country joined the EU in 2004. Lake Bled, in the Julian Alps, is also popular with British buyers.

of Slovenian advantages. “It is more expensive than in Croatia, Slovakia and other Eastern European members of the Union, but significantly cheaper than in the Netherlands, France or Germany,” she says. In fact, Slovenia is ranked in the top quarter of EU member states regarding foreign languages; 92 percent of Slovenians speak at least one foreign language, and most speak English.

Stewart thinks that Slovenia is particularly attractive for British companies seeking branches in Europe. She believes that the option of large manufacturers moving production to Slovenia is less likely: “Industrial real estate is insufficient, and a labour force is difficult to find with the low unemployment rate in Slovenia,” she says.

One of the advantages is corporate tax that is relatively low, as well as the fact that founding a company in Slovenia is cheap and simple. If investors make large investments in development and employ experts, they can also reduce corporate tax, adds Bojan Ivanc, Chief Economist of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia.

24 Slovenia invites you! www.slo-mag.si

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION government, and through various infrastructure projects.

The British are warming up for real estate again

Shuttterstock

Although Slovenia, with 2 million residents, is a small consumer market, the fact that investors are searching for safe countries these days works in the country’s favor for attracting foreign investments. ments, says the consulting firm A. T. Kearney, which prepares the Global Retail Development Index, featuring the attractiveness of countries for foreign direct investments. “According to information from this year’s index of trust for foreign direct investment, geopolitical tensions present the greatest threat for business managers around the globe. These tensions are the reason why investors are starting to decide to move their investments to safer environments such as Slovenia.”

Slovenia’s export orientation and traditionally strong relations with its most important European economic partners – Germany, Austria and Italy, in particular – are an important advantage.

The majority of Slovenian exports go into these countries, where Slovenia generates 70 percent of gross domestic product. “The 4.5 percent forecast for economic growth in 2017 is also very promising as it is above the EU average. Predictions for the next upcoming few years are also good. We want more foreign direct investments from Great Britain into Slovenia,” states the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology.

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in London points out the automotive industry, cleantech, information and communication technology, life sciences, material sciences and tourism as the fastest-growing branches of industry in Slovenia. British companies can pursue their investment goals through the privatization of companies performed by the Slovenian

26 Slovenia invites you! www.slo-mag.si

When talking about investment opportunities, one must not forget tourism, which is setting new records again this year, and this accelerates purchases of real estate, where British buyers are starting to show up again, says Patrick Davidson, manager and co-owner of Slovenia Property & Development. This has nothing to do with Brexit, but with the fact that traditional tourist destinations, such as Tunisia or Egypt, are becoming less attractive due to safety issues and geopolitical tensions.

“In Slovenia you can get access to good deals, to good pricing; the procedure of buying real estate or founding a company is simple and transparent. British buyers love nature, and Slovenia can be very attractive in this respect. They mostly buy real estate as an investment or they buy their own holiday home for seasonal personal use,” adds Davidson.

According to official statistics, more than three-quarters of all guests from Britain visit Alpine municipalities and Ljubljana; this year’s visits will also be a new record; there was a 14 percent increase in British guests from January to August compared to the same period last year. “The British market presents a great opportunity for Slovenia, since British guests appreciate nature, mountains, gastronomy, culture – all of which we can offer in Slovenia,” says Mladen Ljubišić, head of the Information Office of the Slovenian Tourist Board in London.

Vanja Tekavec

Slovenia will present itself to British investors in London on December 1

The Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, which is preparing the Invest in Slovenia conference with the British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce on December 1 at the Institute of Directors, in London, says that Slovenia wants to attract more foreign direct investment from the United Kingdom. The organizers will present investment opportunities in Slovenia, and the advantages of the country. The main speaker, Minister of Economic Development and Technology Zdravko Počivalšek, will also talk about how the Slovenian government can help foreign investors. Representatives of the Slovenian Bank Asset Management Company (DUTB) will also be attending the conference.

REM d.o.o.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION naslov 52 + tekst 3030 + naslov 100

Kindergartens, schools and other buildings made using porta cabins – a cost-effective and quick solution REM produces modular buildings made out of living containers – these can be used in many ways: as schools, kindergartens, offices, showrooms, asylum centres, worker camps, etc.

slIKa

The REM company from Slovenia was founded in 2001 and currently has over 230 employees. In 2016 it generated almost €36m in revenue, of which 60% came from exports to the European Union, USA and Arab countries. Its main activity is the production and assembly of modular buildings that are made up of vertically and horizontally interconnected porta cabins. These buildings can be used as schools, kindergartens, offices, showrooms, asylum centres, worker camps, etc. So far it has produced more than 45,000 units that are then used to construct buildings. Current capacity

is at around 7,000 per year.

The company has its own development and project department, therefore it can offer its clients tailor-made solutions in accordance with their needs, and also slIKa offers high-quality services such as consultancy, project management, offerings, transport and assembly at the desired location anywhere in Europe and around the world. Its most prominent references are the fabrication of mobile spaces for the Red Bull F1 team, commentator cabins at Nürburgring, premises for ORF in Vienna made of more than 300 containers, as well as many schools

(14 schools in Germany) and kindergartens in Germany (Munich: 3800m2, 2200m2 and 1050m2; Ulm: 1300m2; Lübeck: 1850m2, Hamburg: 600m2),;Austria, Switzerland (Zürich: 4800m2) and more.

The benefits of constructing buildings such as schools or kindergartens as modular compounds are their exceptional quality, ecological suitability and cost-effectiveness, which are in compliance with all European standards. This type of construction is a lot less time-consuming, from a project’s conception to its actual use, in comparison with classic construction methods. The modular construction approach is the most economical compared to other types of construction.

REM holds a European Technical Assessment for its units in accordance with ETAG 023 and can therefore label its porta cabins with the CE certificate. In addition to this, REM has obtained the EN1090 certificate for its metal structure and operates in accordance with the ISO 9001:2015 standard.

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naslov REM d.o.o sd,f dkf amdkewf eefkewfw Podjetniška ulica 10b gfbhfg doghl člfk eofk reewfern 8210 Trebnje/Slovenia dlsmddsm erkg rtg +386 (0)73466265 www.aksd@amckasc E-mail: povprasevanje@rem.si www.rem.si/en/

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What are the plans of British companies in Slovenia?

From natural gas extraction to furniture connectors 297.1 million euros

In 2015, foreign direct investments of the United Kingdom in Slovenia were 297.1 million euros which is 2.6 percent of all foreign direct investments in Slovenia.

F

oreign direct investments are an important factor of economic growth in Slovenia, which is flourishing this year. They are bringing many favorable effects to the national economy, and in most cases foreign companies are more successful than Slovenian ones, according to research.

According to recent data, there were 163 majority British-owned companies operating in Slovenia, employing 2,100 people. We have looked at how some of them are doing business, and what their plans are.

Titus Dekani increased sales six times over with its new owner

Titus Dekani, a company with 512 employees dealing with development and production of various furniture connectors, located close to the Italian border in Dekani, could be placed at the top of companies with British capital in Slovenia, according to the number of employees. The company has been part of the British group Titus International Ltd. since 2005, and is one of the largest global

manufacturers of home-assembled furniture connectors.

Since British owners took over the Slovenian company, it has increased sales, the number of employees and productivity. Representatives of the company point out that it is now almost six times larger than before the merger: “In 2005, the Dekani company had 24 million euros of turnover, which increased to 83 million euros in the business year 2015/16. In year 2016/17, after the owner decided to consolidate all companies in the group within Titus Dekani, total turnover amounted to 126 million euros.

Titus Dekani now includes the development, technological and production center of the Titus Group, where 80 percent of the total 3 billion product units are assembled and shipped to over 60 countries by the British group anually. In the past five years, the company used over 25 million euros of investments for new products, expansion of production capacities and greater efficiency, and it is planning an additional 7 million euros of investments for this business year.

Titus

Titus Dekani, a company with 512 employees dealing with the development and production of various furniture connectors, has been part of the British group Titus International Ltd. since 2005.

28 Slovenia invites you! www.slo-mag.si

Gkn Driveline

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GKN Driveline is expanding and creating 100 new positions

GKN Driveline, a British multinational company manufacturing automobile components, also decided on a new investment in their Slovenian company. They came to Slovenia in 1998 by buying the GKN Driveline Slovenija factory in Zreče, in northeastern Slovenia close to the Austrian border, where they manufacture homokinetic joints and axles for cars. The firm will provide 20 million euros to expand the business and create almost 100 new positions.

The project is also supported by the Slovenian government with a financial stimulation of over half a million euros.

“GKN from Zreče is currently operating better than planned. It is estimated that sales will increase by 12 percent by the end of the year, and the prediction for the next year is also quite positive; we expect to exceed 100 million euros turnover with new projects,” says Peter Smole, Plant Director at GKN Driveline Slovenija. The company will provide more than 11 million euros in total this year for investments, mostly for modernization of hardware and for new projects, as, besides ongoing Mercedes and Volvo projects, it will begin serial production for two large buyers, Jaguar Land Rover and Ford, for whom it will manufacture axles.

Smole points out that the British owner has an important role in searching for new businesses and markets, and the strategy of the Slovenian company, considering the locations of the nearest GKN companies (Italy, Turkey,

GKN Driveline aims at the magical target of 100 million euros from sales this year.

The odds for upcoming years are good.

Poland), is to cover the markets within a radius of approximately 400 miles.

“We are currently present in the countries of southeastern Europe and, given the development of large car manufacturing companies in these countries, we will be searching for new challenges in this region,” Smole adds. At the end of 2016, GKN Driveline had 400 employees.

Ascent Resources bored under the surface of natural gas fields

The largest British investor in Slovenia is Ascent Resources plc., a company from London involved in oil and natural gas exploration, which wants to restart extraction of gas in Petišovci, along the Croatian border, with a Slovenian partner and sell it to Croatia, among others.

“We firmly believe that the gas field in Petišovci has exceptional potential: that is why we are focusing all our resources on this project. We hope that we will receive the environmental license [IPPC] by the end of this year, which will enable us to start selling gas to the Slovenian network, and this will have many benefits for the country and the region,” states Colin Hutchinson, CEO of Ascent Resources.

The company from London made two bores in 2010 and 2011, which showed that there is sufficient gas available to sell, and it started test extraction from one of the bores in the spring. Since 2007 until the end of last year, the company has invested 42 million euros in the natural gas extraction project in Petišovci.

Vanja Tekavec www.slo-mag.si Slovenia invites you! 29

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION TouRIST InfoRMATIon CEnTRE (TIC) MARIboR

MARIBOR, European Capital of Culture 2012

Maribor boasts a unique and topnotch urban culture. It entered the European map as the European Capital of Culture in 2012. The city`s culture is still very present, and many festivals take place throughout the year: the famous Lent Festival, the culinary-wine Old Vine Festival, the Borštnik`s Theatre Festival, the festival of music Festival Maribor and many others.

To get a feel for the lively pulse of a city that never stops, visit the many cultural halls and explore the city`s exceptional artistic, and cultural and historic museums, galleries and exhibition grounds.

MARIBOR, ideal for a city break

The old town center of the Styrian capital promises many unforgettable experiences: Take a walk along the Drava embankment and

through lively streets and squares where history and tradition are mixed with dynamism and modernity. Let yourself be fascinated by the oldest part of the city, Lent, the oldest vine in the world, with medieval towers and the remains of the city walls; by Grajski trg Square with the castle and Regional Museum Maribor by the main square, Glavni trg, with the Plague Column and the Rotovž; and by Slomšek Cathedral with its lookout tower,

Maribor`s synagogue and Maribor Art Gallery, to name only a few.

City streets will bring you to one of the most beautiful Slovenian city parks. Take a hike up Piramida and Calvary Hill-the city`s wine hills with a beautiful view. And go underground, down into one of the oldest and largest wine cellars in Europe: Vinag`s Wine Cellar boasts an area of 20,000 m2 and 2.5 km-long underground tunnels, which spread under the old city center of Maribor.

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naslov sd,f dkf amdkewf eefkewfw člfk eofk reewfern b gfbhfg doghl dlsmddsm erkg rtg www.aksd@amckasc

Arihiv Narodni dom Maribor

Maribor, the center of Slovenian Styria and the second-largest city in Slovenia, is an important university city as well as an economic, financial, cultural, commercial and tourist center for northeastern Slovenia. It is a charming place, with deep cultural and historical roots reaching far back into the Middle Ages. And it is the site of the oldest vine in the world, which still bears fruit in the city center itself. Maribor`s location at the crossroads of important European routes is marked by exceptional natural features, as the city is housed between the green forests of Pohorje Mountain, a sunny wine-growing landscape, and the Drava River, which flows through it.

Klara Kukovec

Maribor, Slovenia– City of World`s Oldest Vine

MARIBOR, the city of the oldest vine in the world

The rich wine tradition of Maribor and Slovenian Styria is globally comparable and unique at the same time. The surrounding wine-growing region boasts successful winemakers and wine cellars and their stories are rewarded from all over the world. But only here, in the oldest part of Maribor, does the oldest vine in the world grow and still bear fruit-an honourable lady, whose age is over 400, possibly even 450 years old. It has survived the Ottoman invasion, numerous fires, vine lice and the bombardment of the city. The old vine symbolizes the rich wine culture of Maribor and Slovenia, and ultimately the entire world. Nowadays, its descendants are grown throughout almost all the world.

MARIBOR, the European City of Sport 2018

The jump to green Pohorje Mountain impresses hikers, cyclists, adrenaline enthusiasts and lovers of peaceful nature, with its Pohorje

Marko Petrej

a heart and soul! The citizens of Maribor are excellent hosts!

Maribor in brief: ...

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Picturesque wine trails also cross

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Arhiv Sportni centre Pohorje

On the Drava River, you can take a traditional raft and relive and be a part of the rafting tradition, which dates back to the 13th century.

primeval forest, waterfalls and peat bogs. After any of those activities, it feels good to relax—either in the city or in the Pohorje wellness center.

In the winter, Mariborsko Pohorje, covered in snow, turns into one of the most attractive ski centers in Slovenia, the Maribor City Ski Resort. From the center of the city, to the foothills of Pohorje—or more precisely the Pohorska Vzpenjača Cable Car`s lower station–are even accessible by city bus, which means only a 15-minute drive! Of course, you can do a lot more at Pohorje than just skiing: You can get to know Pohorje`s steep slopes with a snowboard, sled or what special climbers call a pležuhi (ski seat – a type of stool situated on a ski), while exploring the panorama is possible by cross-country skiing and hiking with krplje (snowshoes). For those younger adventurers, there are two sleighs awaiting them at Pohorje.

numerous cycling and hiking trails, with many wineries, farmhouses and tourist farms where you can spend an extraordinarily active and unforgettable family holiday.

Come and see that Maribor has

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Jurij Pivka

Bogdan Zelnik

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the second–largest Slovenian city, the capital of Slovenian Styria, with a very favorable position at the crossroads of important European routes. the city of the world`s oldest vine, recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. the European Capital of Culture 2012. the European City of Sport 2018. a hub of top international festivals. a city in the immediate vicinity of the largest ski center in Slovenia. a place of top athletes and sports teams (Leon Štukelj, Mima Jaušovec, Zlatko Zahovič, Tomaž Barada, Ilka Štuhec, Boštjan Kline, Filip Flisar, NK Maribor ...). the city where famous personalities left their mark: Wilhelm von Tegetthoff, Herman Potočnik-Noordung, Anton Martin Slomšek, Archduke Janez, Rudolf Maister, Nikola Tesla, Hugo Wolf ... a pearl of tourism not yet discovered by the masses.

Tourist Information Centre (TIC) Maribor Partizanska cesta 6 A, 2000 Maribor T: 00386 2 234 66 11 E: tic@maribor.si www.maribor-pohorje.si

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Located near the border of Italy, the Goriška Brda wine region is often referred to as the “Tuscany of Slovenia.”

Aleš Beno

If you succeed in the British market, you can succeed anywhere 32 Slovenia invites you! www.slo-mag.si

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lovenian vineyards are located in the heart of the European vineyard area and cover over 15,000 hectares.

Slovenian wine-growing regions share a reputation as areas of ideal locations along with places such as Burgundy and Bordeaux in France. The combination of climate and soil in Slovenia provides great diversity of wines, which are classified among the best in the world.

In 2015, Slovenian winegrowers exported over 5 million liters of wine, mostly mid- and high-range, while they imported almost three times as much (14 million liters). On average, Germany, the USA, Croatia, the Netherlands, Bosnia and Herzegovina and, recently, the Czech Republic have been buying the most wine. Slovenia has approximately 30,000 registered winegrowers who make 80 to 90 million liters of wine per year.

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Approximately 65 percent are white wines and 35 percent red.

Klet Brda exports most wine to the U.K.

The largest concentration of established winegrowers are located in the Goriška Brda wine region in the westernmost part of Slovenia, bordering the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The Movia, Marjan Simčič, Edi Simčič, Kabaj, Ščurek and Klet Brda wineries are positioned there. The latter is also the largest exporter of Slovenian wine and, according to official data, the winery with the largest income among all Slovenian wineries.

“We have been doing several special fillings exclusively for the British market – for distributors Berkman Wine Cellars and for Majestic Wine, and also through Slovenian distributor Gašper Čarman.

The British want their own ‘blends’ , which they

cannot get anywhere else in the world,” explained Darinko Ribolica, oenologist from Klet Brda.

Klet Brda exported around 150,000 bottles to the United Kingdom, and they plan even larger numbers for the upcoming year. “We have successfully started to export the Quercus line, Grey and White Pinot, and now we have almost made a breakthrough with Rebula and Sauvignon. We are present in pubs and also in stores. We are thrilled about the success; if you succeed in the British market, where success is the hardest to achieve, this means you can succeed anywhere in the world. The quality must be immaculate, and the prices – let us say – normal.” In the United Kingdom, people who have tried Slovenian wines and discovered the good quality and appropriate price are buying them.

“First, you must convince the people in the price range that is available to the wider population,” believes Ribolica.

Slovenia exports to the United Kingdom mainly highclass wines that are available to the wider population.

They are fresh and fruity wines with purity of taste – which the British are looking for, they say at Klet Brda, the largest Slovenian exporter to the British market.

www.slo-mag.si Slovenia invites you! 33

Jure Makovec

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Klet Brda produce 6 to 8 million liters of wine per year, and it exports over 45 percent of it. Currently, it exports the most, over 1 million bottles per year, to the USA. China is in second place, followed by neighbouring Italy, and the United Kingdom is fourth, and presents the greatest challenge.

Wine must amaze the distributor within an instant

«We offer to the British what Štajerska Slovenia wine region has: fine aromas, fruitiness and variety.»

Krasno wine among 50 best wines of last year’s British season

Rajko Žličar, one of the three owners of the Verus winery.

The Verus winery in the Štajerska Slovenia region exports mostly Sauvignon, Grey Pinot and Rhine Riesling to the United Kingdom, but it also includes the local speciality Šipon.

Rajko Žličar, one of the three owners of the Verus winery, says that they offer to the Brit-

Krasno wine from Klet Brda has been ranked among the 50 best wines of the past British winter season by The Times. Jane MacQuitty, a wine expert with the title Master of Wine, pointed out in her review that this white variety is based on Rebula, an ancient local grape that grows on steep hills close to the Slovenian-Italian border. She also added that “Rebula with its fruity flavour nicely complements the characteristic profile of Sauvignon with distinctive freshness and the flavour of elder.”

34 Slovenia invites you! www.slo-mag.si

ish what Štajerska has: fine aromas, fruitiness and variety.

He gives the lion’s share of credit for this success on the British market to a good distributor who covers most of the British hospitality industry.

“We are regularly present at the largest European fairs in London, Verona and in Düsseldorf.

It is important to be at the right place at the right time, since every now and then our distributors decide to change their offer. And the distributor must be amazed by the wine in that instant. The ratio between the quality and the price must also be favorable,” explains Žličar, whose winery fills around 130,000 bottles per year, and exports almost 80 percent. The United Kingdom is the fourth-most important global market for the Verus winery.

The diverse wine map of Slovenia

Slovenia’s winemaking area has three regions and nine districts. Due to differences in locations, the climate and approaches to winemaking, each region has its own selection of varieties. In addition to the internationally acclaimed varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Blue Pinot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, they also offer indigenous or domesticated local types, such as Rebula, Istrian Malvasia, Blaufränkisch, Sauvignonasse, Zelen, Vitovska and others.

Vanja Alič

The British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and the Slovenian Ministry of Economic Development and Technology present

INVEST IN SLOVENIA conference, in London on 1st December 2017 Slovenia is becoming a new investment destination. A fast-growing economy, situated in a strategic location in the north Adriatic, with highly skilled labor and many R&D hubs, it can offer great opportunities for investment.

This event is free of charge and includes a keynote speech by Aleť Cantarutti, Minister of State for Economic Development and Technology, presentations on Slovenia’s economy and sector opportunities by the EBRD and DUTB respectively, business case studies of success stories, panel discussions, interactive Q&A, breakfast and networking.

More information about the program and registration at www.bscc.si/invest-slovenia/

Partners:

www.slovenia.info #ifeelsLOVEnia

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BUZZ IN

SLOVENIA Today it is increasingly becoming a tourist product that offers an authentic experience in close harmony with nature and heritage. Get to know the organised api-tours, visit the local beekeepers and indulge in apitherapy treatments with the help of a professional api-guide. These guides work closely with the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association and ApiRoutes, a Slovenian tourist agency specialising in themed excursions related to beekeeping and bee-tourism.

Experience a truly unique adventure through the eyes of a bee, indulge your taste buds sampling some of the finest honey products, indulge in apitherapy treatments, be amazed by urban beekeeping methods and simply be(e) one with the nature around you.

Get to know Slovenia, Bee Responsible!

Slovenska turistična organizacija

Beekeeping has been an important traditional farming activity in Slovenia for centuries. Anton Janša, the father of beekeeping in Slovenia, was the first beekeeping teacher in imperial Vienna in the 18th century. Get to know the world of the Carniolan honey bee (Apis mellifera carnica), an indigenous peace-loving bee that is the second most widespread species in the world.

Their beehives are genuine treasure houses of health – offering benefits ranging from sweet honey to the healthful products used in apitherapy treatments.