Best FDI's in Slovenia in 2010? Saubermacher, Julon and Ertl Glas – at least according to a special jury comprising the Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments (JAPTI), Ministry of the Economy and magazine Slovenia Times. The awards were presented at the annual FDI Summit Slovenia 2011 conference in Ljubljana this October.

Saubermacher Slovenia was given the award for company performance. The waste disposal company increased its sales revenues by a whopping 83 percent between 2007 and 2010 with the number of employees growing by 20 percent in the same period. The Austrian-owned company also recorded excellent financial performance, high productivity and increased value added per employee. The ecological impact of the company is also worth noting as it is continuing investments in the new capacities.

Julon was named the best FDI in the large companies category. The Ljubljana-based synthetic fibres and polymer producer was taken over by the Italian Aquafil Group back in 1995. The company's performance remains excellent despite the tough overall economic conditions in the last period. Aquafil Group invested an additional 17.6 million euros in the production of econyl based on Julon's innovative recycling technology. The new production line was launched this May and is the world's first and only producer of polyamide-6 made entirely from waste materials.

The award for this year's best greenfield investment was given to Ertl Glas. The Austrian-based manufacturer of high quality insulation glass opened a new factory in Ribnica in southern Slovenia. The Austrians chose the location predominantly due to its proximity to Inles, Slovenia's main window maker and Ertl's long time customer.

This year the jury also presented a special award: it was given to Goodyear Dunlop Sava Tires, one of the largest foreign companies in Slovenia and one of the key companies in the Gorenjska region. The Kranj-based factory rolled out 7.1 million car tires last year. Sales revenues reached 374 million euros and its overall financial performance remains solid despite the worsened economic conditions. The US group invested 11 million euros in its Slovenian operation last year. A similar amount has also been earmarked for 2011. The plant in Kranj is one of the Goodyear's most technologically advanced production lines in Europe.