Chapter 1
Frigotransport Pišek&Hsf d.o.o
A champion among providers of agri-foods and pharma logistics
The Pišek family enterprise directs its success story from headquarters in Lopata, near Celje. Peter Pišek, Director and owner of Frigotransport Pišek&Hsf d.o.o bought his first used truck at the age of 19. Today, he and his sons lead one of the fastest growing logistics and transportation companies. The Pišek Group has 100 employees and a vehicle fleet of 50 trucks. They generate around €12 million in revenue, 70% of which comes from foreign markets.The company’s main activities concern logistics and transportation, with specializations in agri-food and pharmacy, but the Pišek Group also includes a restaurant. Their competitive advantage stems from refrigerated warehouses in the Netherlands and Germany, and a 10,000 m² logistics center in Lopata, near Celje. Peter Pišek is also the first Slovenian entrepreneur in the field of transportation to win the prestigious Slovenian title of Entrepreneur of the Year 2018 and his story teaches us about endurance and courage. His sons will take on the mantle to continue his work and his mission.
Chapter 2
Jagros, d.o.o.
Common sense and hard work lead to long-term success
The story of Jager Stores began in 1989, when Franc and Marija Jager opened their first store in Tržišče, near Rogaška Slatina. Within 30 years, their small business had grown into the large Slovenian family retail company Jagros d.o.o., with 42 branches, which is known under the brand Jager Stores. Last year, they had €167,6 million revenue and more than €12 million in net profit. Their turnover growth rate is stable, at around 10% per year and was almost 15% last year. Their profits are also growing, last year by 47% compared to the previous year.
Chapter 3
Kuzma d.o.o.
Every single product is a masterpiece
The Kuzma company from Kranj has been a leader in the field of premium turntables and tonearms for more than 40 years. Every product they make is a masterpiece, earning them a reputation as one of the best premium audio equipment companies in the world. This quality has also brought several awards from the most respected audiophile magazines and is reflected in their prices – Kuzma turntables range from a couple of thousand to tens of thousands of euros.
Chapter 4
Perger 1757 d.o.o.
Family is our circle of power
Not so long ago, the traditional gift from a boy to a girl was honey bread in the shape of a heart. “This was before mobile phones, so the sweetheart had to be decorated with a love message and a small mirror in which the girl could admire herself,” says Hrabroslav Perger, head of the Perger 1757 family enterprise from Slovenj Gradec. Perger 1757 keeps alive the traditional crafts of honey confectionery, honey breadmaking and chandlery.
Chapter 5
PODKRIŽNIK GROUP
Architects of intelligent drive solutions
The success story of the Podkrižnik company began in the town of Ljubno ob Savinji. In almost three and a half decades since then, the company has become one of the European leaders in the field of special drive technology, uniting development, manufacturing, retail and a range of technological solutions. Their competitive advantages include many years of experience in drive solutions, the fact that their activities range from research to mass production, their innovative spirit and the ability to respond quickly to customers’ wishes.
Chapter 6
ROLTEK d.o.o.
An innovative approach setting trends in the field of roller shutters
Two generations of the Kosec family, who have written the success story of ROLTEK together, have roller shutters in their blood. ROLTEK is a leading manufacturer of roller shutters and venetian blinds with their own production facilities in Slovenia. Their care for the environment and desire for a better tomorrow guide their constant development. Today the family and around 100 ROLTEK employees follow their vision to meet the desires of even the most demanding customers with a sustainable and socially responsible approach both in Slovenia and abroad. Last year, ROLTEK achieved €10.8 million of revenue, which is a 20% improvement on the previous year.
Chapter 7
Scan, d.o.o., Preddvor
Scan: selling and servicing state-of-the-art equipment
Every one of us has looked through a microscope at one time or another, driven by the curiosity to see something that is invisible to the naked eye. Scan from Preddvor pri Kranju has been selling and repairing electron microscopes and other laboratory equipment in the former Yugoslav region for 31 years. They sell and represent world-renowned manufacturers of electron microscopes, spectrometers, vacuum and other laboratory equipment. The family company currently employs nine people and earns around €1.7 million in revenue.
Chapter 8
Tinex, d.o.o.
Trusting a co-worker to lead the company
Few family companies can say their management functions are so well separated from ownership that no leading roles are taken by the family or even extended family. Tinex from Šenčur is one such company. In three decades, it has become a successful medium-sized seller of bearings, seals, linear and drive technologies, and even opened its own manufacturing facilities. Most of the credit for this success goes to the late founder of the company, Štefan Čebašek, who started out as a small construction material retailer. Today, Tinex employs 70 people and its annual revenue is nearing the milestone of €20 million. After Štefan unexpectedly passed away, the company tradition has been successfully continued by his wife Marija Čebašek and daughter Andreja Jeraj.
Chapter 9
UNIFOREST, d.o.o.
Decisive sustainable steps forward
Uniforest is known world-renowned as an innovative manufacturer of high-quality forestry equipment. Their product development strategy prioritizes safety, ease of use, unique design and environmental sustainability. They are constantly searching for innovative solutions, which they officially patent. The Uniforest brand is protected in almost 40 countries and has 22 active patents, two of which are European, with four more waiting for approval. “The most important assets adding value to the company are its employees, encompassing their knowledge and competencies. Business indicators, such as capital, warehouses, machines and profit represent resources supporting them, which are dependent on their efforts,” says Drago Pintar, Director of Uniforest, family company from Latkova vas near Prebold, who started his entrepreneurial career at the age of 35.
Chapter 10
ZELINKA d.o.o.
Bringing computers to our offices and homes
ZELINKA & sinovi is a company that sells integrated computer equipment in Slovenia and abroad. For more than 30 years they have been an importer and partner for leading hardware and software manufacturers such as Lenovo, 3M, IBM, ELO Touch, Targus and Overland-Tandberg. The family company, ZELINKA & sinovi Zastopanje in trgovina d.o.o., was founded by Martin Zelinka in 1988, when Slovenia was still part of Yugoslavia. Although Martin retired in 2012, he remains owner of the company, while his mission is continued by his sons, Luka and Jurij, and his grandson Leo. The younger son Jurij was part of ZELINKA & sinovi until 2021, when part of the company became its own entity, Zelinka LS d.o.o., and he took over its ownership. ZELINKA & sinovi has had an AAA credit rating every year since establishment, which is true of only 1.75% of Slovenian companies.
Summary
In 2021, we were inspired by Slovenian family-owned enterprises Frigotransport Pišek&Hsf, Jagros, Kuzma, Perger 1757, PODKRIŽNIK GROUP, ROLTEK, Scan, Tinex, Uniforest, Zelinka.
