ITALIAN COMPANY OPENS FACTORIES AND CREATES NEW JOBS IN LAKTAŠI

The Italian company "PMP Industries," which has been successfully operating in the Republic of Srpska for 18 years, is nearing the completion of a factory for producing parts for heavy machinery in the Aleksandrovac industrial zone in Laktaši. Next year, around 100 workers will be employed at this facility.

PHOTO: PMP Industries

The investor, which operates factories worldwide—from China, India, and Malaysia to its central headquarters in Italy—arrived in Srpska in 2006. At that time, it purchased 50 percent plus one share of the company "Jelšingrad" in Gradiška, eventually becoming its sole owner. After a successful privatization, "PMP Jelšingrad," which specializes in welded constructions, became a reputable company recognized on the international market.

The company's success in Gradiška and its positive experience investing in Srpska were strong motivators for this company to reinvest in the region

The value of the first phase of the investment in Laktaši is approximately 60 million convertible marks.

Branislav Banjac, the general manager of "MP Drive Systems," a factory set to start operations by the end of the year, told Glas Srpske that the plan is to produce parts for heavy machinery at the Aleksandrovac factory, such as high-pressure pumps and electric drives for electromachines.

"The entire investment is divided into several phases. We are currently executing the first phase, which involves building a foundry. The facility under construction spans about 20,000 square meters, and significant investments are being made in equipment, with installation already underway. We expect to complete the work by the end of the year," Banjac said.

Once the facility is completed and the equipment installed, testing will begin, followed by trial production, and then the ramp-up of production capacity.

"Our goal is to build and commission another 11,000-square-meter factory within five years of the start of the investment, which will be dedicated to machining. In the third phase, we plan to assemble products such as pumps, gearboxes, and other components," Banjac explained, emphasizing that this is a highly complex technological investment that requires several years to fully realize.

Banjac added that the first phase will employ around 100 people, with staffing levels increasing as each project phase is completed.

"Everything we produce is for foreign markets. Our group has factories in Asia that serve eastern markets, while our European factories primarily produce for European and North American markets," Banjac said, highlighting the excellent cooperation with local and republic-level authorities.

Miroslav Bojić, the mayor of Laktaši, told Glas that PMP Industries is a globally recognized company that has long surpassed its competitors. He expressed his pride and satisfaction that they chose to invest in the youngest city in Srpska.

"This investment is crucial for the economic development of both Laktaši and Srpska. Companies like this enhance our credibility, and their commitment gives our local administration greater confidence," Bojić said.

Banjac also noted the challenge of finding qualified labor for the Laktaši plant.

"In our Gradiška factory, we currently have 270 employees, and even there we faced a shortage of skilled workers. We need to hire people and train them for the work we do. This is a long-term process that takes the most time, especially as we adopt the world's most advanced technology. We have an excellent partnership with the Technical School, which provides almost all our workforce. Since Laktaši is building a Secondary School Center, we are already discussing future cooperation," Banjac said, adding that they also have exceptional partnerships with the mechanical engineering faculties in Banja Luka and East Sarajevo.