Prometal from Sopot knows no crisis - Construction machines "made in Serbia" in the Near and Far East, South America and Africa

It could be said that Sopot-based manufacturer of building machines Prometal knows no crisis since it does not depend on domestic building companies, but instead exports over 80% of its products to all continents.

In an interview for eKapija, Vladimir Ivkovic, the owner of the company, says that they are already present in the Near East, Africa, that they have important clients in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, as well as in Iraq, Ukraine, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Poland and Germany, while they now plan to focus on the countries where a "construction boom" is expected in 2011.

- We will focus on South America, Seychelles, south and north Africa, Indonesia and India in 2011. We are always searching for new markets and the plans in Serbia mainly depend on realization of our export ambitions - says Ivkovic.

When asked how have machines made in Serbia conquered the world, our interlocutor explains:

- The secret lies in a good price - quality ratio. The buyer gets machines whose quality is close to German one, which represents a synonym for high standards, while the price is extremely competitive. The components we build in our machines are made by world-famous companies so that, with a good project, development and design, we make quality products. All machines are designed by means of modern 3D CAD systems, and only top-quality materials are used in their making. Only certified steel is used in the production of parts, which are all made using CNC machinery - Ivkovic explains and adds that their machines are also sold by German companies and that they are negotiating with a partner from Italy on joint production of molds for concrete elements.

(Vladimir Ivkovic receives ProBusiness Leader award)

During 2010, Prometal invested 50,000 euros in modernization of the production process, while investing in 2011 will depend on fulfilled plans.

For exceptional business results and a significant contribution to development of our country's economy, Prometal won 2010 ProBusiness Leader award in the category of entrepreneurs.

The factory in Sopot was established in 1973 as a joint craft shop of Ljubisa and Dragan Ivkovic and it started operating as an independent firm in 1986.

The first products were mechanical vibrating presses for concrete blocks. The product portfolio was later expanded to include complex hydraulic and automatic machines for production of all types of concrete elements, machines for production of concrete pipes, lines for production of fert beams, mixers for various purposes, crushers and processing machines for concrete iron.

Prometal now employs about 80 people and its team of mechanical and electrical engineers constantly works on development of new machines.