Lessons for the Future – export or self-sufficiency is the topic of the round table that concluded Lider’s export conference, which featured Tihomir Premužak (Vetropack Straža), Boris Popović (Alarm automatika), Hrvoje Glavaš (Ina) and Goran Basarac (Šestan-Busch), moderated by Miodrag Šajatović, the editor-in-chief of Lider.
Participants discussed how the coronavirus crisis affected their businesses, what changes they will implement, whether they will focus more on exports or the domestic market, and their views on self-sufficiency. According to Premužak, the coronavirus crisis hit Vetropack overnight, and in addition to a drop in demand, they also had workers in self-isolation.
– At the beginning of January, we asked some customers to go to the competition because we did not have the capacity, and then a significant drop occurred; in April, it was historic, which caused us major problems because we are a process industry and it is not possible to shut down production – said Premužak, emphasizing that things started to improve in May and June and that he is optimistic.
He also highlighted that changes in the glass packaging industry are slower but necessary, and that Vetropack is adapting to new trends. An investment of 50 million euros is underway, which will enable greater competitiveness.
According to Boris Popović, Alarm automatika prepared four scenarios under which it operated during the coronavirus crisis.
– We expected a crisis, but not one in which the virus would be the source of a sudden turnaround, and this required a quick response. We have a positive realization, but it is half of the plan, and we have invested significantly, with costs rising by 15 percent compared to last year – says Popović, highlighting that some Alarm automatika companies in the region are performing excellently.
Popović also emphasized that in addition to focusing on the global market, special attention should be paid to the local market.
According to Glavaš, Ina was hit by a hacker attack before the coronavirus crisis, so at the time of the coronavirus pandemic, it was already prepared to operate under extraordinary conditions. However, due to falling oil and gas prices and reduced demand for derivatives, the first quarter was negative, but the market is recovering.
The coronavirus did not harm Šestan-Busch; according to Basarac, February and March of this year were more successful than last year. This company, which operates in the defense sector, also produces for the civilian sector, manufacturing multifunctional helmets and masks, and is not worried about the future as it already has orders secured for the entire next year.
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