 | industries / machining & metalworking |
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Machine and worker Facts & Figures in 2006 Number of companies: 1,960 Number of employees: 53,391 Revenue (in EUR): 5.2 billion Exports (in EUR): 3.4 billion Key export markets: Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Croatia, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland (Source: AJPES, 2007) Key products: Quality Workforce Slovenia’s machining and metalworking industry boasts a long industrial tradition. Today we talk about three pillars: metalworking, machine building and car component manufacture and assembly (more about the lastest: automotive industry). Productivity in Industry (PPP), 2006 Related GDP (PPP) per person employed in industry (in EUR) Source: IMD - World Competitiveness Yearbook, 2007 As labour productivity has come into sharper focus than ever before, all major manufacturers are working to upgrade facilities and invest in new projects. At this point, experience and knowledge of employees give companies an edge through innovative solutions that translate to continuing improvements of manufacturing processes. There are over 51,000 employees in over 1,900 companies in the sector. The bulk of workforce is employed in metalworking, but in terms of value-added per employee, the most successful are the companies specialising in car component manufacture and assembly. These manufacturers have been the integral part of international supply chains for quite a while. Estimated gross annual labour costs in metal industry for 2008 (Total cost per employee in EUR) Source: Adecco & JAPTI, 2008 Different educational institutions create knowledge that enhances the productivity and competitiveness of the metals industry, and develop its human resource base. Currently some 3,600 students are enrolled in undergraduate courses for occupations in the machining and metalworking industry. The number of students in secondary schools for metallurgy and mechanical engineering is 9,200. A cutting edge of Slovenian workforce is command of foreign languages. International studies rank Slovenians at the European top. 71% of population can communicate in at least one world language with the English and German being most widespread. Nevertheless, language schools are still busy year round and companies encourage staff to brush up on their language skills on a regular basis. Quality Link to Regional Markets A central geopolitical position at the cross-roads of trade and transport routes gives Slovenia a cutting edge and accounts for its historical, cultural and economic profile – the key elements of its national economy. By definition, Slovenia is an export-oriented country, and its metals industry is a key element of the country's export mix with 62% of sales earned in foreign markets. With exports worth 2.8 billion euros in 2005, Slovenia’s businesses involved with the manufacture of all kinds of fabricated metal products and machined parts generates 19% of all exports of the manufacturing sector. Despite the fact that the general economic picture in the EU has been bleak for some time and the fact that the EU Member States are the biggest trading partners of the Slovenian companies, Slovenian exporters managed to increase sales over the last five years by more than 52% thanks to their export strategy. As a result of its position and decades of fostering economic links with its neighbours, Slovenia is in a pole position to serve the markets in the region. Over the past few years, the most successful Slovenian metalworking-machining companies have been pro-active in exploiting investment opportunities in the markets of south eastern Europe (SEE) where Slovenia is one of the most important foreign investors. The number of international companies setting up their regional hubs in Slovenia is rising attracted by the expertise of local managers, sales force and field engineers, and their in-depth knowledge of the regional markets. They speak the language, they are familiar with legislation, they know their way around, and what’s most important there are no cross-cultural barriers for them. Quality Infrastructure Slovenia lies at the intersection of the 5th and 10th Pan-European Transport Corridors for road and rail transport. Its transport and IT infrastructure is well-branched. The Adriatic Port of Koper is the shortest maritime connection for cargo arriving from Asia to landlocked countries of Central Europe through the Suez Canal. The companies working in the manufacture of metal products co-operate closely in clusters, professional associations, universities, research institutes, supporting fundamental and applied research that address technological barriers facing the industry. Designers and manufacturers of tools have been at the forefront of the industry providing a platform for toolmaking companies with CAD/CAM/CAE designed and manufactured tooling. Other companies benefit from comprehensive hi-tech solutions to increase productivity and speed delivery. These are large, as well as medium and small enterprises, well-known in the EU working to specifications of leading manufacturers in the automotive and aviation industry (Audi, Benteler, BMW, Chrysler, IN Alfa, Magna, Mercedes, PSA Group, VW), and non-metal industry sectors such as household appliances and IT. Productivity/value added per employee in 2006 Source: AJPES, 2007 The list of the industry’s biggest and most successful companies (excluding automotive industry) include Unior, Trimo and Lama in the hands of domestic owners boasting excellent results under their own brand name in the most discerning markets. Metals industry has always been interesting for foreign investment. Alongside Renault and a number of other foreign investors in the automotive industry, sound performance and fast growth have been achieved by a number of foreign-owned companies: Palfinger, GKN Driveline, Elektrokovina orodjarna, and others. Leading domestic and foreign-owned companies Faculties, research institutions, clusters and associations |
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JAPTI - Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments disclamer |