From the first tools for plastic injection, to the start of a plant for machining metal, extrusion of plastics to the start of PVC regranulation, the company gradually grew.
The staff of the Diaspora Invest project in Banja Luka visited the company “Knezevic Co”, one of the leaders in plastic processing in our country, and spoke with Milovan Knezevic, its owner.
When in the late eighties, as a young mechanical engineer, he was trying to find a job opportunity, Milovan realized that the real chance lies in his own initiative and starting his own business. Today, more than 30 years later, this successful family business is slowly being taken over by his sons Bojan and Damjan. But the beginnings were not easy.
“I founded the craft shop ‘MK’, we always had a creative and open approach, and we built our name on that. We kept pace with technology, we quickly became recognizable and sought after in the industry of manufacturing PVC and ALU systems for construction and in the glass processing industry. In 2004, we founded a Limited Liability Company (d.o.o.), and the company grew until today, when we have 55 employees under our roof, with sister companies in Serbia and Croatia,” said Knezevic.
From the first plastic injection tools, to the start of the metal machining plant, the extrusion of plastics to the start of PVC regranulation, the company gradually grew – but for everything it was necessary to gather people who knew their job and had a desire to learn.
“The worst thing was when people told me it couldn’t be done. Anything is possible. One had to work and find a way to a solution, even where it seemed there was no chance. Today it is still a challenge. We are looking to connect our knowledge, to give an opportunity to young people. They come from schools and colleges, and then they quickly recognize how much more they have to study in order to practically master the craft,” explains Knezevic.
Milovan still believes that plastic manufacturers in our country can join together and make some processes easier for themselves, which would make them more competitive on the international market. Their company was also recognized by USAID through the “Diaspora Invest” project, which included them in knowledge exchange programs with our experts from the diaspora. That’s how they achieved cooperation with mentor Ognjen Vlacin, who volunteered his time to support local businessmen of this region, Biznis Info reports.
E.Dz.
