GM factory of machinery Travnik is an example of successfully privatized company, which is achieving new successes year after year. This brand from Travnik is worldwide known for their special bicycle parts which are produced here and exported, and they can be ordered from any country.
Large halls are full of workers who diligently carry out their tasks, and 95 % of their products are intended for foreign market. Deadlines must be met in order to remain the best on the market and to fulfill set plans.
“Six people is currently working on the production of frames and other bicycle parts, as well as engineers who prepare drawings on computers. We produce between 150 and 200 frames monthly and 99 % of them are made for sister company The Ruff. We have the so called customizer or web tool, where the end user has the opportunity to design their own bike. They can choose the frame, color, wheels and handlebars, and draw it virtually, after which they click on the order and pay. We get the order, assemble and paint the frame and send it to Germany where they add other parts and send to the customer,” said Muamer Trako, head of research and development of GM factory of machinery Travnik.
The aim is that no more than 10 days passes from order to delivery. Previously, they focused on the European and American market, and now, thanks to the Internet, bikes can be ordered from anywhere in the world. But that’s not the only thing this company does. Among their clients are the German companies GROB-WERKE, Bombardier Transpor, EFCO Maschinenbau, Kampf Schneid- und Wickeltechnik, Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Schienenfahrzeuge, Messer Cutting Systems. ThyssenKrupp Drauz Nothelfer, FFT EDAG Produktionssysteme, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Croatian SAS as well as Samsung and many others.
“Our biggest customer is GROB from Germany and 60 % of 95 % of exports goes to them, while only 5 % is intended for the domestic market. We have a printing press within the company which does things like brochures, books, flyers and boxes for Siemens. Close to 250 workers from Travnik and the regions works in the company, “said Trako.
The principle of company is that the worker is seen as a person, and not as number or “machine”, which is evidenced by the conditions in which they work, as well as the environment where the factory is located. Halls are spacious and surrounded by nature. Benches are located at every part of the complex, and at the beginning of the complex is orchard that workers can use. The rest of the fruit that workers do not use goes on sale. There is a soccer field where workers can play football, and every year they organize the tournament “Kurt Kopruner”, which is dedicated to the founder of the company. Their associates visit the tournament.
“We organize trips outside of BiH every year. Last year we achieved the export plan and all the workers had the opportunity to go to the expense of the company in Italy, while the year before we went in Istanbul. We are happy because the new hall is constructed due to the increase in demand,” said Trako.
Since October 2004, the factory is 100 % privately owned. It was privatized and a majority shares are owned by German company Global Sourcing GmbH from Regensburg. From 2005 to the present, factory carries the name GS – Factory of Machines Travnik. From privatization to today, it was invested a lot of funds in the repair of production facilities, as well as the purchase of machinery.
(Source: M. N./Klix.ba)
