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A tech wonder on the outskirts of Markovci
Founded in 2007, Robotehnika, located in northeastern Slovenia, is a company offering CNC metal processing solutions, as well as automation and robotisation of manufacturing processes. It is based in Nova Vas pri Markovcih, where a new manufacturing facility is being built. The company employs 47 people and generated nearly four million euros in revenue in 2023. More than two thirds of its output is exported, mostly to German-speaking countries and the US, where customers value them for their high quality and versatility.
Andrej Orovič, CEO and founder of the company, manages it with the help of his family, with each member playing a role in its success. His wife Marija and children Jernej and Janja also work at the company.
At first, the family worked exclusively in mechanical engineering. However, they quickly recognised the need for CNC processing of intermediate goods and soon purchased their first milling machine, followed by three more. 2017 marked a turning point for the family company. It was the year they moved into a new production facility, expanded their capacity, and grew their workforce.That year, they launched mechanical processing for various industries, including wood processing, transport technology, and hydraulics industries. As a result, Robotehnika became synonymous with innovative solutions and custom-tailored projects, driving the company’s steady growth in global markets. They share a vision of preserving family values while building a company that can grow in terms of both technology and sustainability. Their goal is to became one of the top three automation providers in Slovenia by 2028.
Despite robotisation, the company still needs good workers. Robots can’t function without them.
“Robotehnika is a company offering CNC metal processing solutions, as well as automation and robotisation of manufacturing processes.
No fear of failure
Andrej began his career by coming up with various machines to make his work on the farm easier. He also repaired farm machinery. This led him to found his own company in 2007 as an extra source of income. He maintained that pace until 2016. His wife, Marija, noticed his long hours, sometimes working 16-hour days. “He started having health problems, and I told him that things had to change,” she recalls. This sparked Andrej to quit his full-time job. He said that the decision to strike out on his own was not difficult: “I had my group of clients, so there was enough work. I never had any fear of failure.”
They bought a piece of land and began to build the facility. In 2018, Marija officially joined Andrej at the company. Initially, they took on smaller projects, but as the demand for CNC processing of intermediate goods grew, they gradually expanded their range of machinery.
Robotehnika shifted its focus to machining for end customers and formed a partnership with a company in Germany, which proved to be a good move. Over the years, they grew and acquired new clients. “I began with baby steps; I didn’t spend much on promotion,” says Andrej, adding that interested customers reached out to him on their own. Today, the company works with 20 different companies, which include global corporations. Forty-five percent of clients come from Slovenia, while 55 percent come from abroad. They emphasise their own growth and development. Their annual profits are reinvested to purchase machines and equipment, as well as to automate the production process.
“In 2022 the company was nominated for the Star of Entrepreneurship awarded by the Slovenian central newspaper Delo and the Gazelle award for fast-growing businesses of the Podravje-Pomurje Region.
Every project is a story of its own
The company emphasises its unique customer service approach and its optimisation of corporate solutions. Every project is tailored to meet the clients’ needs, allowing the company to deliver solutions that are perfectly suited to their specific requirements. CEO Andrej emphasises: “If the quality is not up to scratch, clients won’t return.” The lion’s share of the company’s activities revolve around CNC processing, although the automation of manufacturing is also a key focus due to its immense potential. After all, automation cuts manufacturing times and the need for routine tasks, enabling workers to focus on higher-value tasks, thus boosting efficiency.
The company prioritises quality, ensuring it through the continuous education of employees, investment in state-of-the-art measuring devices, and adherence to ISO quality standards, a responsibility managed by daughter Janja. In doing so, they can meet the demands of their clients, suppliers, employees, and local residents.
In December 2023, they defined a new vision and mission for the company. Robotehnika is built on values directly derived from the Orovič family: professionalism, sustainability, a focus on growth, versatility, dedication, and loyalty. These values do not just help them navigate the business world; they form the very essence of their family. “We wish to remain true to them both as a company and as a family,” says Janja, adding that nothing in the company would have been possible without her father’s ideas and vision.
A turning point came in 2017, when the company moved into a new manufacturing facility with three employees.Now, seven years later, they employ 45 people.
Successfully combining business and personal relations
Daughter Janja and son Jernej have been active in the family company since they were little. “We always helped out in some way. If nothing else, the workers needed some tea or a snack,” remembers Janja, who wanted to study history, but later opted for economics and management. This year, she independently led the project for maintaining the company’s ISO certification, which serves as proof of its high quality standards. Janja and Jernej’s career paths both led them to the family company, where they each found their place. “I’m about to earn my master’s degree in project and strategic management, which is useful for us,” says Janja.
Jernej is set to complete his studies in computer science, a field that has interested him since primary school. During high school and his university studies, he helped out at Robotehnika before deciding to stay with the family business: “My knowledge of computers comes in very handy in the company.It was especially helpful when we were introducing a new ERP system,” says Jernej.
Preparation for an intergenerational transfer is already underway. Jernej has a 25-percent share in the company. He received it when he turned 25. The family has the same plan for Janja. Was joining the company his parents’ idea? “When they grow up with the company, their familiarity with the work process is an advantage. But, of course, you can’t force this,” Marija emphasises.
Robotehnika is a family business in the true sense of the word. Jernej’s wife Maja and Janja’s partner Tomaž are also employed here. Robotehnika is a prime example of family cooperation. “Everyone has his or her assigned role and tasks. This prevents us from meddling in each other’s business,” Marija explains. The family manages to both blend and separate work and personal life. Jernej summarises the situation: “Sometimes it’s hard not to talk about the company, but we’ve found a good balance. We have no rules about when to talk about work and when not to.”
One of the company’s advantages is its niche-segment orientation. They adapt to the needs of the clients in a unique way and provide optimum, high-quality solutions.
Robotehnika is known as a company that cares about social responsibility and sustainable growth.
Own power plant and beehives
Robotehnika is known as a company that cares about social responsibility and sustainable growth. In recent years, the company has worked hard on energy self-sufficiency. They have set up their own solar power plant; they use electric forklifts, produce limited waste emulsion, and reuse the boxes used for packaging. The company strives to reduce its environmental footprint, and their compliance with the ISO 14001 environmental standard is proof of that. To ensure that the company’s future is even more sustainable, they are considering the purchase of energy storage systems and electric delivery vehicles. In addition, they have set up beehives in front of the corporate headquarters. Last year, they yielded 150 litres of honey, which was distributed within the company and given to clients as a gift.
The company has received numerous nominations and awards. In 2022, it was nominated for the Star of Entrepreneurship awarded by the Slovenian central newspaper Delo and the Gazelle award for fast-growing businesses of the Podravje-Pomurje Region, which is further proof of its quality standards and success.
“The company prioritises quality, ensuring it through the continuous education of employees, investment in state-of-the-art measuring devices, and adherence to ISO quality standards.
A focus on automation and robotisation
The company’s vision is focused on further automation of manufacturing processes. The team is tackling this with the automation and digitalisation of manufacturing, where they introduced a manufacturing cell with three CNC machines and a service robot. They also purchased additional robots, which are used to boost productivity and reduce the burden on employees. Another aspect of digitalisation was the roll-out of a complete IT system, which improved the company’s internal processes, along with the introduction of automatic planning and procurement.
The wide range of projects also requires more employees. “Unfortunately, we have to turn clients away on occasion. On one hand, we want to expand, but on the other, we’re not able to do that because we lack employees of a specific job profile,” Janja explains. Some of their employees come from neighbouring Croatia. What kind of employees do they have and wish for? According to Jernej, they must be versatile and show initiative: “In small companies, you don’t spend eight hours working on one thing. You do a little bit of this and a little bit of that.”
Company name: ROBOTEHNIKA d.o.o.
Number of employees (2023): 47
Net sales revenue (2023): €3.8 million
Interviewees:
Andrej Orovič, Founder, co-owner and CEO
Marija Orovič, Authorised representative
Jernej Orovič, Co-owner responsible for Sales
Janja Orovič, Responsible for Quality Control and Strategic Management
Summary
Robotehnika in a nutshell: innovation, quality, loyalty, automation, niche-segment orientation.