As Lucija Spiljak/Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 2nd of August, 2019, since back in 2010, Kaspar Paper (Papir) has been manufacturing a very specific product in its production facility in the small, continental Croatian town of Prelog – sublimation paper that is used for colour transfer for various media.
They are the only manufacturer of this type of paper in the whole of the Republic of Croatia. Their expertise lies in manufacturing for transferring to polyester fabrics. This therefore enters into many worlds; marketing, fashion, sport, the furnishing of interiors, flags, and various posters and pictures. However, the application of this product is much wider, and can be found on rigid materials, on furniture, on skis and on metal surfaces. This wide range continues to grow year by year.
“We use our own development, employ professional and quality people who have been present in this segment for many years, which enables us to provide timely information and follow global trends in the industry. This also enables us to constantly develop our products to provide customers with the necessary quality,” Davor Belić, the director of this Croatian company, explained.
Last year, they made more than 50 million kuna on various markets around the world, and their plan is to continue on with this double-digit growth, which they have said has gone smoothly so far. Here in Croatia, they cooperate with several customers, while the majority of the company’s production is intended for export, and more than 95 percent of it leaves Croatian territory and goes abroad.
This Croatian company is also present at the world’s leading fairs for the digital printing industry, and they strive to enter onto new markets year after year. “This year, we exhibited in Germany, France, Spain, and we’re preparing for Mexico in late August, and in October, we’re in the United States of America at the Dallas Fair.
In Asia, we have an office in Singapore in charge of the markets of Asia, the Pacific and the Americas, while in Slovenia, we manufacture base raw materials that are further completed in Prelog,” Belić said.
The company currently employs 35 people, and Belić hopes that this figure will increase further by the end of 2020.
“For the time being, we’re ready to respond to all market demands, but if the need arises, of course we will call for a job increase. We’re doing well as far as the workforce is concerned, and we try to ensure our employees good working conditions, so that we we attract and retain them,” he pointed out. In addition, this successful Croatian company has applied for the Internationalisation of small and medium-sized companies, phase two, which is being conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts.
The project, edtitled ”Strengthening Kaspar Paper through performances at foreign fairs”, is worth 1.1 million kuna, and the company received 895,000 kuna in European Union (EU) grants.
“As part of the project, we’re planning and preparing, with the approval and signed co-financing contracts, to further increase our presence at leading industry fairs. The materials for FESPA Madrid 2020 are already underway,” the director announced.
The experience so far, he stated, indicates that each additional presence brings results for this Croatian company, and with this project, he added, they are embracing new segments and wanting to introduce even more brand new products.
“I’d like to emphasise, instead of talking about concrete figures, that we’re in the process of implementing new projects for equipping and development that will enable us to be even more competitive on demanding international markets,” Belić pointed out.
Their goal, as they say, is to continue developing quality products, invest in the development, education and further training of employees, and keep up with global industry trends that will allow them to continue to grow and be recognised on the market.
“I’m proud to say that Kaspar Paper has positioned itself among the leading manufacturers of sublimation papers as a worldwide brand and is recognised as such among the leading global brands in the textile industry and beyond. Our aim is to raise that bar to an even higher level in the future,” Davor Belić concluded.
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