Machining & Metalworking Industry in Slovenia

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Slovenia’s machining and metalworking sector holds hope for the future as manufacturers commit to more effcient technology practice and green engineering widely regarded as being near the top of recession-resistant industries.

The machinery must be designed and constructed taking into account the results of the risk assessment. 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.
The CE conformity marking affxed to the "Made in Slovenia" products speak of a high level of metalworking technology, machine tools and precision engineering found in Slovenia.

The fact that some 50,000 people work in over 2,600 machining and tooling companies explains the progress in the development of modern technologies and their application to a leanmanufacturing environment.

The bulk of workforce is employed in metal forming and metal fabrication working, but in terms of value-added per employee, the companies specialising in car component manufacture and assembly post the best results.

Staff training is highly important as less expensive, faster and more effcient process become the stepping stones to improved competitiveness thanks to research and innovation. Slovenian manufacturers are moving to the fore of the international supply chains as slow stamping-press speeds and frequent die crashes are regarded as not acceptable.

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 over 6,600.

An integrated, results-oriented education system providing young people and adults with critical career information resources and the skills they need to make effective educational and career decisions is widely appreciated by employers. Learning foreign languages is not a hobby in Slovenia but a practical business skill playing a crucial role in securing a job and enhancing one’s career. Most people can speak good English and there are many German and Italian speakers.

When forming strategic partnerships, innovating and accessing new customers, the country’s position on the doorstep of the fast-growing markets in central and south-eastern Europe is of key importance. With its cutting-edge technologies, a skilled workforce and high quality products, Slovenia is a hotbed of business opportunity for investors seeking to create a new paradigm in modern machining and tooling industry.

The manufacture of all kinds of fabricated metal products and machined parts accounts for 60.5% of revenue earned in foreign markets and with 3.9 billion euros in exports in 2011, the sector generated over 23% of total Slovenian exports of the manufacturing sector.

The EU Member States remain Slovenia’s biggest market and thanks to the decades of fostering economic links with its neighbours, Slovenia keeps expanding trade with the markets in the region.

The leading Slovenian machining and tooling companies are among the most important foreign investors in the markets of south-eastern Europe (SEE) and it is a clear benefit for their international business partners.

The companies working in the metal forming and metal fabrication industry co-operate 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 specifcations of leading manufacturers in the automotive and aviation industry (Audi, Benteler, BMW, Chrysler, Alfa, Magna, Mercedes, PSA Group, VW), and non-metal industry sectors such as household appliances and IT.

Key figures:
Number of companies: 2,700
Number of employees: 50,800
Revenues (in EUR): 6.4 billion
Exports (in EUR): 3.9 billion
Key export markets: Australia, Austria, Croatia, Czech Rep., France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, UK, USA

Key products:
• vehicles and auto parts
• metal fittings and components
• cast and fabricated metal elements
• water turbines and pumps
• various metal products
• metal tools
• truck lifts
• HVAC systems

Leading domestic and foreign-owned companies

Acroni / OAO Koks
Manufacture of basic iron, steel & ferro-alloys

ADK
Lifting & handling equipment

Akers Valji Ravne / Akers
Manufacture of specialty tools

Arcont / Containex Container
Metal structures

Croning livarna / Krombach International
Cast steel production and machining

Danfoss Trata / Danfoss International
Industrial machinery & equipment

EMO - Orodjarna
Tools for sheet metal fabrikation, CAD/CAM/CAE designed tools

Farmtech / Komptech
Agriculture & forestry machinery

GKN Driveline Slovenija / G.K.N. Industries
Ball, needle and roller bearings

Gorenje Orodjarna
Tools for sheet metal fabrication, plastics processing and CAD/CAM/CAE designed tools

Impol group
Aluminium and aluminium-alloy products

Kladivar / Poclain Hydraulics
Hydraulic valves

Kovinar / Fin.Fer
Manufacture of wire products, chain and springs

Kovinoplastika Loz
Metal fittings, tools for sheet metal fabrication, plastics processing and die casting

Kovis - Livarna
Railway locomotives and rolling stock

Lama Avtomatizacija / Titus Tool Company
Furniture fittings, prefabricated systems, tools

Lestro-Ledinek
Machinery and equipment for the solid wood processing

Litostroj steel
Casting of steel

Livar
Grey and nodular cast iron castings

LTH ulitki
Complex aluminium and magnesium high-pressure die-cast components and system

Mariborska livarna Maribor / Metalka
Copper, copper alloy and aluminium alloy products

Metal Ravne
Manufacturing of basic iron, steel & ferro-alloys

Niko / Ring International
Variety of metal products for the use in offices, wood industry, upholstery, building industry and machine manufacture

Palfinger / Palfinger
Cranes, hoists and winches

Preis Sevnica / Jagersberger Gesellschaft
Metal tanks, reservoirs & containers

SIJ - Slovenian Steel Group / OAO Koks
Steel bars for applications in the forging, spring and engineering industries

Skrlj / SK-Group
Winemaking machinery and equipment

Store steel
Steel bars for applications in the forging, spring and engineering industries

TalumAluminium products
foundry alloys, extrusion ingots, evaporators, castings

Titan / Securidev
Locks & hinges

TKO / Dunes Limited
Components for excavators, bulldozers and loaders

Trimo
Metal buildings, structures, facade panelling, roofs

Unior
Machine and hand tools, forgings and sintered parts

Varstroj
Welding and thermal cutting machines

Yaskawa Ristro / Yaskawa Europe
Wide range of robotic solutions for industrial applications

Source: InvestSlovenia, SPIRIT Slovenia
Photoes: Acroni, ADK, Akers, Arcont, EMO - Orodjarna, Kovinar, LTH ulitki, Preis Sevnica, SIJ - Slovenian Steel Group