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Awards

Whether it be awards for product quality, steps forward in terms of sustainability, positive human resources management practices, successes of individuals and organisations or projects in marketing communications and campaigns, Fortenova grupa d.d. and its operating companies have regularly been winning prestigious international and national awards.

Corporate Awards
Corporate Awards

In the years 2022 and 2023 alone, Fortenova Group won almost 300 medals, acknowledgements and other awards – in 2022 more than 130 and in 2023 almost 160 of them, whereof by far the most – almost 200 awards – were received for product quality and innovation – from wines, edible oils and cheeses to products from the water and meat production lines.

Below are some of the most significant awards, from the period of the Extraordinary Administration and incorporation of Fortenova Group to the 2024 operations.

Turnaround and Transaction Award (TMA) for the restructuring of Agrokor

In the opinion of international financial experts, the financial restructuring project of Agrokor, which resulted in the settlement of its creditors and the successful implementation thereof, was one of the world’s 12 most significant international restructuring processes in 2018. The TMA Award is one of the most important professional acknowledgments in the world, as TMA is one of the leading global non-profit organizations assembling experts that take part in restructuring projects across the world.

Settlement Plan among Agrokor’s creditors – Croatia’s most important economic event  in 2018

The Settlement Plan closed among Agrokor’s creditors was selected by the Expert Jury of Večernji list and Poslovni dnevnik as the most important economic/business event in 2018. The Jury decided that the creditors’ Settlement Plan and everything that preceded it – from adopting the Act on Extraordinary Administration Proceedings in Companies of Systemic Importance for the Republic of Croatia and the challenging negotiations to voting in favour of the Settlement Plan in July and its becoming final and non-appealable in October – constituted the most important economic process that took place in Croatia over the course of 2018.

Fabris Peruško – Businessman of the Year in 2021

In the opinion of the readers of Večernji list and Poslovni dnevnik, Fabris Peruško is Croatia’s Businessman of the Year in 2021. Fortenova Group’s Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Directors received the most votes in the traditional, sixth consecutive selection where those daily newspapers choose the businessperson and business event of the year.

Google Cloud awards for technological solutions

At Google’s most famous conference – Google Next 2023 in San Francisco, Fortenova Group was presented with two awards for its achievements in the Google Cloud ecosystem – the Retail Industry Customer Award and the Talent Transformation Award. Among a large number of users of the Google Cloud platform Fortenova Group has thus been recognized worldwide for its achievements in the successful implementation of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence in its operating companies – Konzum Croatia, Mercator Slovenia and Mercator Serbia, all with a view to developing leading technological solutions in the retail industry.

„Hrvoje Požar“ Annual Award for rational energy management

Fortenova Group won the “Hrvoje Požar” annual award in the category of a realized rational energy management project, presented by the “Hrvoje Požar” Foundation of the Croatian Energy Association. Following a complete calculation of the carbon footprint from all established sources in collaboration with the Hrvoje Požar Institute, carbon footprint reduction studies were prepared for 40 Group companies from five markets. Each company received its own study as a foundation for the implementation of measures to reduce their carbon footprint, which is planned to take place in the period from 2025 to 2030, with the progress of the implementation of all measures to be monitored and additional measures suggested as necessary.

Regional ESG leader for overall ESG achievements

In the competition of large companies from Central and Southeast Europe, the International Economic Forum “Perspektive” (“Perspectives”) and the company “Promo global” presented Fortenova Group with the Golden Award and the “Regional ESG Leader” acknowledgement for the year 2023. Fortenova Group received the award in the category of Overall ESG Achievements, and it is an external acknowledgement that the Group’s ESG approach has had a positive impact on the overall environment of its business operations.

Konzum for years Croatia’s best donor

In 2024, for the sixth consecutive year, Konzum has borne the title of Croatia’s Best Food Donor. Over the six years that food donating companies have been awarded, Konzum has donated 1600 tonnes of food in total. The internal system of collecting food for donations at Konzum has constantly been improving and the network of mediators has grown. Thus in 2024, donated food at Konzum was collected daily from 53 stores by 17 registered agents/mediators.

Slovenian Horus for Mercator’s White Packaging

Mercator Slovenia’s project White Packaging received the Slovenian social responsibility and sustainable development award Horus 2023. The award is assigned to projects that strengthen and encourage collaboration in one or more areas, such as environment, economy and society, which were all covered by the White Packaging project. Designed in collaboration with various stakeholder groups, experts from different areas and primarily with suppliers, the white packaging project was intended to encourage young families with children to use packaging in a sustainable way, and a way adjusted to children, and to that end the project partners – manufacturers of strong brands forsook their products’ original image for the benefit of sustainable thinking. Also, in the strong competition of five countries of the Adriatic region at the 2024 international “BalCannes” Festival, this project received the silver award.

HRIO Award for Jamnica  

In 2022, Jamnica received the Croatian Sustainability Index (Hrvatski indeks održivosti – HRIO) Award from the Croatian Business Council for Sustainable Development (Hrvatski poslovni savjet za održivi razvoj – HR PSOR) for the area of Work Environment. The HRIO Award has verified Jamnica’s efforts in raising the work environment quality, from certificates and the introduction of a two-way valuation system as well as the extension of internal trainings across all employee categories to the improvement of safety standards and activities intended to raise employee awareness of the importance of safety at work, which all resulted in a reduced number of injuries at work. A great step forward at Jamnica was also the introduction of an internal training for managers at production and logistics locations on the acceptance of diversity in the work environment because of the arrival of foreign workers.

Product quality awards
Product quality awards

In the years 2022 and 2023 alone, Fortenova Group won almost 300 medals, acknowledgements and other awards – in 2022 more than 130 and in 2023 almost 160 of them, whereof by far the most – almost 200 awards – were received for product quality and innovation – from wines, edible oils and cheeses to products from the water and meat production lines.

Below are some of the most significant awards, from the period of the Extraordinary Administration and incorporation of Fortenova Group to the 2024 operations.

Jana receives gold for quality at global competition Monde Selection

In 2022, Jana natural non-carbonated water won the world’s highest acknowledgement for quality – the Grand Gold Quality Award at the prestigious global competition Monde Selection, organized by the International Institute for Quality. Among 3,000 products from more than 90 countries, Jana won the gold medal for its premium quality in the category “Beers, Waters and Still Drinks”.

Jamnica ProGame ranks No. 1 in Innovations Category at Foodbev Awards

With its ProGame beverage, Jamnica was the 2024 champion in the prestigious category titled “Best Drink Innovation” – this was the decision of the Expert Jury of the FoodBev Media organization, which specializes in reporting on and analysing changes, trends and innovations in the international food and drink industry.

Decanter’s medals for Vina Laguna wines

In 2023, the wine Castello Festigia 2017 won the gold medal at the most prestigious wine competition Decanter World Wine Awards; Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva 2011, Riserva LV 2013 won the silver medal, while Castellblanc 2019 and the sparkling wine Blanc de Moi received bronze medals. The wine Castello Festigia has since 2012 continuously been winning awards at renowned global competitions, whereof they take particular pride in the 2015 Regional Trophy won at Decanter and the gold medal from the same competition won in 2020. So far, Castello Festigia has won a total of 25 gold medals, which bears witness to the continuity of its premium quality.

Agrolaguna’s Špin Istrian Cheese – the world’s best hard sheep cheese in 2022

Istria-based Agrolaguna had the best cheese in the world in 2022 in the category of hard sheep cheeses. Its Špin Istrian Sheep Cheese won gold at the prestigious competition International Cheese & Dairy Awards in the United Kingdom, and besides the sheep cheese, standing out in their respective categories were also Špin Istrian Mixed Cheese in Walnut Leaves and Špin Istrian Cow Cheese with Truffles, having won the silver and bronze medal, respectively. At the same competition in 2023, Špin         Istrian Cheeses won six gold medals and the champion’s title for the best cheese produced in small quantities.

Agrolaguna’s olive oils among the best in the world

Agrolaguna’s olive oils Ol Istria regularly come back from the New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC) with awards. Thus again in 2024 they won three gold medals for the Ol Istria Extra Virgin Olive Oil (blend of several varieties), Ol Istria Selection (blend of a selection of the best and intact fruits of several olive varieties) and Ol Istria Picholine (monovarietal olive oil). The medals were awarded in a competition of 1,244 samples of olive oil from 28 countries, whereof 97 samples were from Croatia.

Dijamant products regularly excel at Novi Sad Agriculture Fair

In 2023, as many as seven Dijamant products in two categories won prestigious awards at the 90th International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad, and the same thing happened a year later. The long-standing champion’s tradition of the Zrenjanin-based company at one of the most significant exhibition events, assembling 1,200 exhibitors from different parts of the world with a view to establishing economic and transnational collaboration, has thus been continued.

Gen Z’s choice: Zvijezda mayonnaise and Ketchup are the coolest brands

For the second year in a row, Generation Z has selected Zvijezda’s brands as their favourite. Gen Z has an exquisite taste and knows how to recognize quality, and young people aged 11 to 23 have declared Zvijezda Ketchup and Zvijezda mayonnaise to be the coolest brands.

Human Resources Management
Human Resources Management

In the years 2022 and 2023 alone, Fortenova Group won almost 300 medals, acknowledgements and other awards – in 2022 more than 130 and in 2023 almost 160 of them, whereof by far the most – almost 200 awards – were received for product quality and innovation – from wines, edible oils and cheeses to products from the water and meat production lines.

Below are some of the most significant awards, from the period of the Extraordinary Administration and incorporation of Fortenova Group to the 2024 operations.

Certificate Employer Partner (CEP)

In 2024, a total of 15 operating companies and Fortenova grupa d.d. successfully completed the evaluation process and received the Certificate Employer Partner (CEP) – an external acknowledgement of excellence in managing human resources. The Certificate Employer Partner is an unbiased acknowledgment by human resource experts in the European Community that certifies the highest quality of management in seven key areas of human resources. The certification process goes through and assigns points to a number of topics such as selection, competence development, leadership, work performance, involvement and satisfaction, career and succession, rewarding etc. at all levels of the organisation.

Best Places to Work Certificate

In 2024, Fortenova grupa d.d. and its 22 operating companies received the Best Places to Work certificate, an international acknowledgement certifying that the Group companies recognize the importance of a positive experience at the workplace and, in particular, that they appreciate their employees. Fortenova Group has thus joined the world’s leading companies that have consistently been achieving good business results in the long term through the high level of employee engagement, participative leadership and focus on people.

“Family-Friendly Employer” Recognition

Fortenova grupa d.d. has received the recognition “Family-Friendly Employer”, assigned by the Central State Office for Demography and Youth to companies with highest quality solutions in achieving a friendly environment for employees and their families, particularly taking into account the employers’ adjustment to their employees’ families over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Health-Friendly Company” Certificate for Jamnica and PIK Vrbovec

PIK Vrbovec and Jamnica are holders of the “Health-Friendly Company” Certificate, assigned by the Croatian Public Health Institute and verifying the continuous efforts exerted by companies in promoting a healthy lifestyle among their employees.

M Hub – Serbia’s best talent initiative

Mercator Serbia’s M Hub programme was declared to be the best talent initiative in Serbia in the category “Best Talent Initiative”, while Mercator’s concept “Lider za primer” (Exemplary Leader), where a set of leadership skills with practical examples were transferred to the managerial level of store managers of IDEA and RODA stores and Mercator hypermarkets across Serbia, was declared to be the “Best programme for additional employee training”. The acknowledgements were assigned as part of the Talent Development Forum, an event organized with a view to bringing together companies that engage in talent development, students, young people, universities, professors and non-academic educators as well as others interested in the development of talents in times of rapid change.

Mercator’s HR team receives acknowledgement of Slovenian Personnel Congress  

At Slovenia’s largest assembly of the HR profession (Slovenski kadrovski kongres – Slovenian Personnel Congress), the HR team of Mercator Slovenia received an acknowledgement as finalist in the selection of the HR Team of 2024 in the category of large companies and a special acknowledgement for the digitalisation of its HR function. 

Tisak – two “Little Lighthouse” acknowledgements for best workers in Croatia

For four years Tisak had its representatives in the finals of the selection of the best worker in Croatia, and Mira Logarušić and Ivanka Pole, saleswomen at Tisak’s kiosks, received the awards in 2019 and 2021, respectively. The “Little Lighthouse” acknowledgement is assigned as part of the competition organized by Udruga Partner (Partner Association), intended for entrepreneurs and employers to show to the public and their colleagues that they appreciate work and workers. The competition searches for individuals that contribute to their environment by adhering to the principles of work and honesty, spreading positive vibes and caring for their colleagues – both superiors and subordinates.

mStart has the Female Engineer of the Year

Lada Kovjanić, Senior Software Engineer at mStart, won the 2024 “Female Engineer of the Year” selection in the competition of more than 70 women engineers from all over Croatia and from various branches, with different career paths. The selection of the Female Engineer of the Year publicly introduces successful women engineers, making their work and contribution more visible, with a view to inspiring younger generations of girls to opt for STEM studies and a career as engineer.

Marketing Communication Projects and Campaigns
Marketing Communication Projects and Campaigns

In the years 2022 and 2023 alone, Fortenova Group won almost 300 medals, acknowledgements and other awards – in 2022 more than 130 and in 2023 almost 160 of them, whereof by far the most – almost 200 awards – were received for product quality and innovation – from wines, edible oils and cheeses to products from the water and meat production lines.

Below are some of the most significant awards, from the period of the Extraordinary Administration and incorporation of Fortenova Group to the 2024 operations.

Konzum, PIK Vrbovec and Jamnica – seven marketing awards at 2024 Communication Days

For their projects “When (is lunch)? Now!” in the Food category and Little Big Talents in the category of Positive Changes: Common Good (brands and non-profit sector), PIK Vrbovec and Konzum, respectively, received the Gold Effie Awards Croatia 2024. The Jury decided that these two Fortenova Group companies, together with their partners, deserved gold for the creativity of their campaigns and the results accomplished.

HUOJ’s Bronze Grand PRix awards for Fortenova Group’s “Let’s Meet” and Konzum’s “Little Big Talents” projects

Fortenova Group’s „Upoznajmo se/Spoznajmo se/Let’s meet“ has won the Bronze Grand PRix of the Croatian Public Relations Association in the category of Internal Communication Projects, and in the category of Integrated Communication Projects the Bronze Grand PRix award went to Konzum’s project “Little Big Talents”. In the overall competition of 70 projects, the annual awards of the communication profession in Croatia for 2024 were awarded in nine categories.