Foundations for the future international development
Established in Switzerland and starting operations in April, GlobalGlass Holding will enable further international strategic development of Steklarna Hrastnik, which continues to go from strength to strength.
In the first quarter of 2018, the company has seen its overall turnover exceed the plan by 2%, totalling EUR 15.2 million, while the earnings before taxes totalled EUR 1.9 million, exceeding the plan by 43%. The production capacities are virtually fully booked through to the last quarter of this year.
The newly established GlobalGlass Holding and Steklarna Hrastnik immediately started looking for a co-investor to support the ambitious business plans to expand the Steklarna Hrastnik production capacities, especially in the packaging glass segment where demand is constantly on the rise. This will enable Steklarna Hrastnik to respond to the growing demand, while also reinforcing its position in the niche.
In the next six months, Andrej Božič – until recently the Glass Division President – will take on the role of consultant, using his knowledge, experience, and connections to play a crucial part in setting up the functions of the newly established GlobalGlass Holding. At the same time, he will be closely involved in the activities related to establishing a new company in Poland. These activities will bring to a close eight highly successful years that Mr. Božič has spent at Steklarna Hrastnik. Having refused the role of CEO at GlobalGlass Holding for personal reasons, Mr. Božič will then look for new professional challenges. The members of the GlobalGlass Holding executive board also include Igor Lah, who is taking on not just an active business role and the function of a member of the Holding management, but also the role of the CEO until a new CEO is appointed.
At Steklarna Hrastnik they took the opportunity to stress that Andrej Božič paved the way for the recovery and reorganisation of the company. Under his management in the years from 2010 to 2017, the operating results improved year after year. Steklarna Hrastnik eventually became a leading niche manufacturer of high-quality packaging. The company would like to thank Mr. Božič for his work and wish him every success in his future endeavours.
“I firmly believe that GlobalGlass Holding will lay the foundations for the long-term growth and development of Steklarna Hrastnik in the future. The positive operating results, the growing demand and the fact that most lines are booked for six months in advance confirm our ambitious strategic plans to expand the production capacities,” stressed Peter Čas, the General Director of Steklarna Hrastnik.