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Fortenova Group and Podravka sign sale-purchase agreement for Agriculture Division Fortenova group
26.07.2024.
Fortenova group
Fortenova Group and Podravka sign sale-purchase agreement for Agriculture Division
26.07.2024.

Fortenova Group and Podravka signed a sale-purchase agreement, whereby Podravka has acquired the companies from Fortenova Group’s Agriculture Division, comprising Belje, Pik Vinkovci, Vupik, Energija Gradec, Belje Agro-Vet and Felix.

The value of the transaction on a cash-free/debt-free basis is EURO 333 million. Podravka shall acquire the vertically integrated agriculture operations diversified in 12 segments, from growing crops on 32000 hectares of farmland and operations including pig and cattle breeding farms, winegrowing and viticulture to the production of final meat and dairy products. The companies from Fortenova Group’s agriculture segment also hold biopower plants, silos and the reloading port of Vukovar and employ a total of more than 2600 employees. The agricultural segment is also connected to several hundred subcontractors through contract farms as well as individual contract farmers in crop, vegetable and fruit production.

“The fact that we have very quickly concluded the negotiations about all the conditions of the transaction testifies that we have made the right decision by choosing Podravka and is a great precondition for a long-term partnership in this area as well, which we are about to start today. With this agreement both companies are opening new stages in their respective operations, and I am sure that our agriculture will be in good hands, as we have paid attention to selecting a partner that will truly make the maximum contribution to the further development of the business. I would like to thank all employees of the Agriculture Division and Fortenova Group, who have over the last six months worked hard to bring the realisation of this process to the point of signing the agreement” – said Fabris Peruško, Fortenova Group’s Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Directors.

The completion of the transaction shall follow once the usual regulatory approvals are obtained.

Fortenova Group publishes 2023 Financial Statements and Sustainability Report Fortenova group
16.07.2024.
Fortenova group
Fortenova Group publishes 2023 Financial Statements and Sustainability Report
16.07.2024.

With the publication of its audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the Sustainability Report for 2023, Fortenova Group has rounded off a very intensive first half of the year. In particular, after last week’s announcement of a very successful implementation of its ownership transformation and the fact that it no longer has any sanctioned shareholders in its ownership structure, as well as of the decision on having selected Podravka as its partner to continue the process of divesting the agriculture business, in the Financial Statements and the Sustainability Report the Group has now presented its last year’s business operations to the public in detail.

The audited Consolidated Financial Statements disclose the key financial indicators, while the Sustainability Report features a comprehensive overview of the Group’s and its operating companies’ operations in 2023, focusing on the activities in seven key sustainability topics.

When it comes to the financial indicators for 2023, according to the audited consolidated results the Group generated total consolidated revenues of more than EUR 5.8 billion. Adjusted consolidated operating profits were lower than in the year before and amounted to EUR 251 million. The net debt at the end of 2023 was EUR 970 million, while the net debt to adjusted operating profits ratio was 3.86 times. In a year-on-year comparison, all of the Group’s business divisions recorded higher total revenues, while having generated lower operating profits.

“Reflecting on last year’s financial results, it is important to note that, regardless of the specific circumstances that we found ourselves in, which we extensively addressed in the previous days, the Group has accomplished the most important goals planned, particularly having in mind the impact that global economic developments have had on our operations. As expected, the reduced operating profits as compared to the previous year were primarily due to the high increase in costs, particularly of energy and raw materials, and the increase in employee benefits. Nevertheless, despite the growth of our financing costs, the total net debt to adjusted profits ratio is on a satisfactory level” – said Fabris Peruško, Fortenova Group’s Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Directors, commenting on the 2023 financial indicators.

When it comes to the third consecutive Sustainability Report, it contains information about the businesses of 39 operating companies and Fortenova grupa d.d. and indicates key strides made in the area of sustainability in 2023, as confirmed by two awards received by the Group in the previous period. The first one is the Gold Award and the “Regional ESG Leader” acknowledgement for overall ESG achievements, awarded in the competition of large companies from the territory of Central and Southeast Europe by the International Economic Forum “Perspektive” and the company “Promo global”, while the Group received the “Hrvoje Požar” annual award in the category of a realized rational energy management project for the implementation of a comprehensive energy efficiency project. The achievement of energy efficiency is one of the priorities that the Group has intensively been working towards since 2022, when it started to establish the processes of determining all emission sources in its own operating process and the entire supply chain. Following an integral calculation of the carbon footprint from all established sources, studies were prepared in collaboration with the Hrvoje Požar Institute for each of the Group’s 40 companies engaged in different business activities, aimed at reducing their carbon footprint, as well as the pertaining documentation for the implementation of measures for its reduction in the period between 2025 and 2030. At the same time, the plans on reducing the carbon footprint at Group level started to be implemented already over the course of 2023 by initiating projects intended to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the overall consumption, define summer and winter store temperatures, reduce lighting outside the working hours to a security minimum, install LED lighting and close the refrigerated display cabinets in the stores, install higher capacity compressors and economizers on the boilers in specific companies and modernize the vehicles. Thereby, savings of 5 percent were made at Group level in the overall energy consumption.

Another important step was the increase in employee investments, which is particularly important given the total number of workers employed by the Group across the region and the risk arising from labour shortages. Since 2019 the labour costs have thus increased at Group level by almost EUR 200 million, with the Group continuing to invest in the growth of total employee benefits (salaries, performance-related remuneration and various bonuses/rewards), where it has been recognized in the broader environment for actively advocating the search for new and the relaxation of existing models of substituting the insufficient number of the working population in the countries of the region.

Another thing the Group companies have in common is the initiative related to the reduction of food waste, where Konzum HR has for the sixth consecutive year been recognized as the largest food donor in Croatia, while at the same time four Group companies – Fortenova grupa d.d., Konzum HR, Zvijezda HR and PIK Vrbovec HR – have, upon initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, acceded to the Voluntary Agreement on the Prevention and Reduction of Food Waste, “Together against food waste”.

Furthermore, given that it has defined the diversity of representation at all levels, along with achieving gender equality, as one of its ESG goals, over the course of 2023 the Group adopted the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy, with action plans prepared for the implementation of the Policy in 2024.

“The package of information where we have presented in detail everything that we did in 2023 is yet another proof of our dedication to responsible business operations, and in that light our strides regarding sustainability topics should be viewed as well. This, of course, also applies to a number of activities that we have undertaken over the course of last year, related to securing the stability and safety of our operations, particularly when it comes to the financial aspect, but also with regard to different external challenges and abrupt changes to the conditions in which our business operations took place”, Peruško concluded, commenting on the key elements of the Group’s Sustainability Report.

The 2023 Sustainability Report is available at the following link: https://fortenova.hr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Fortenova-Group-Sustainability-report-2023.pdf

Fortenova Group selects Podravka as strategic partner to negotiate sale-purchase conditions for Agriculture Division Fortenova group
12.07.2024.
Fortenova group
Fortenova Group selects Podravka as strategic partner to negotiate sale-purchase conditions for Agriculture Division
12.07.2024.

Following the assessment of the binding offers received in the interest gauging process of the Agriculture Division divestment procedure, Fortenova grupa d.d. has evaluated the offer from Podravka d.d. as the best overall.

Accordingly, the two companies have signed an Exclusive Negotiations Agreement, pursuant to which Fortenova Group will continue the negotiation process on closing a sale-purchase agreement only with Podravka.

Fortenova Group’s Agriculture Division comprises the companies Belje, PIK Vinkovci, Vupik, Energija Gradec, Belje Agro-Vet and Felix. Detailed analyses of the binding offers received have shown that Podravka’s bid, besides offering the highest price, also in the best possible way meets the criteria set in the transaction as the most desirable strategic partner for those companies.

„We entered the interest gauging process for the Agriculture Division divestment with a view to maximizing the value and identifying potential partners who would be able to guarantee the development and sustainability of this nationally important industry and securing the further development of its operations and employment, the result thereof being the economic prosperity of the entire region of Slavonia and Baranja. We have found precisely such partner for our agricultural companies in Podravka. Podravka’s additional advantage is the fact that with it we would gain a strategic partner that would continue to provide high-quality domestic raw materials for further processing and production for PIK Vrbovec and the entire Fortenova Group system. Therefore, I am sure that by selecting Podravka as our exclusive partner to negotiate the details of the sale-purchase agreement we have made the best possible decision not only for the agricultural companies and our employees, but for all other stakeholders as well” – commented Fabris Peruško, Fortenova Group’s Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Directors.

Herewith the half-year process of selecting a strategic partner for Fortenova Group’s agricultural operations has entered its final stage, and following the conclusion of the sale-purchase agreement it will be necessary to obtain the usual regulatory approvals from the competent market competition authorities in order to close the transaction.

Fortenova Group Wins the “Hrvoje Požar” Award for Rational Energy Use Fortenova group
05.07.2024.
Fortenova group
Fortenova Group Wins the “Hrvoje Požar” Award for Rational Energy Use
05.07.2024.

Fortenova Group is the winner of the annual “Hrvoje Požar” award in the category of “realised rational-energy-use project”, which has been awarded for the 29th time by the “Hrvoje Požar” Foundation of the Croatian Energy Society.

Achieving energy efficiency is one of the priorities of Fortenova Group: something we have been working on intensively since 2022, when we started establishing the process of determining all sources of emissions in both our own business process and its entire supply chain.

After a thorough calculation of the carbon footprint from all established sources – in cooperation with the Hrvoje Požar Institute – studies were made on carbon-footprint reduction for 40 of our companies, across five markets, engaged in various activities including retail and wholesale, food and beverage production, agriculture and IT services. The base year for the studies was 2022. A study was performed for each company, providing the basis for the assignment of measures to reduce their carbon footprints. The implementation of all the measures is planned for the period from 2025 to 2030. During that time, we will monitor the progress of the implementation; additional measures will be proposed if necessary.

A number of projects with the aim of increasing the share of renewable energy sources in total consumption had already been launched by 2023, e.g. defining summer and winter temperatures in stores, reducing lighting outside working hours to a safety minimum, installing LED lighting and closing refrigerated display cases in stores, installing larger capacity compressors and economisers on boilers in individual companies, as well as the modernisation of vehicles. These projects marked the beginning of the implementation of the above-mentioned plans on reducing our carbon footprint at the group level. They also enabled savings of 5% in total energy consumption.

The prestigious recognition from experts and scientists in the energy industry was accepted on behalf of Fortenova Group by Fabris Peruško, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors:

“I am extremely glad that the industry has recognised the work that Fortenova Group puts into achieving energy efficiency and contributing to reducing the carbon footprint of our own production process in Croatia and in the region.

I accept this award with a sense of pride for the achievements of Fortenova Group in this important area of business, and especially for the dedicated work of colleagues from our operative companies, whose commitment is the reason I am here today.

Energy savings are becoming essential for business sustainability, increasing efficiency and protecting the environment. Since we are highly conscious of our own role in supporting the green transition in Southeast Europe, we are going to continue to systematically implement strategies aimed at reducing energy consumption in all business areas of Fortenova Group,” said Peruško.

Fortenova Group and its 22 companies receive Best Places to Work certificate Fortenova group
24.05.2024.
Fortenova group
Fortenova Group and its 22 companies receive Best Places to Work certificate
24.05.2024.

Following a successfully completed evaluation process, Fortenova Group received the Best Places to Work certificate for 22 of its companies, an international certification witnessing that our organizations have recognized the importance of a positive experience at the workplace and above all, that they appreciate their employees.

Fortenova Group thus ranks among the world’s leading companies that have consistently generated good long-term operational results through the high engagement of their employees, participative leadership and focus on people.

Along with the fact that the recognition of the Group as the Best Place to Work confirms the importance of each employee’s contribution and develops and strengthens employer branding, the Best Place to Work certificate sets Fortenova Group and its companies apart from others on the labour market and enables us to attract new high-quality employees, particularly young people who recognize the importance of independent certifications and the strong focus of companies in building a desirable place for work.

“Within very short time we have received the second independent verification that our dedication to permanent improvements of working conditions and employee satisfaction in general have borne results. Even more importantly, through this certification process, this has been verified by employees from different companies and different markets where the Group operates. And if our colleagues across the Group, regardless of whether they work in the stores, in production, logistics or administration, have recognized our strides in improving the quality of the work environment, this is a great motivation for all of us to continue to pursue the development activities in that area”, said Fabris Peruško, Fortenova Group’s CEO and Member of the Board of Directors.

Gordana Fabris, Fortenova Group’s Executive Director of Human Resources, highlighted the pride in Fortenova Group having received the Best Places to Work certificate and with it the confirmation of the international community that our focus on employees has been recognized and borne results. “We are particularly proud of the fact that 22 of our companies from five different countries took part in the certification process, with over 2200 employees having participated in the poll, and the results have shown that we are among the best employers in the region. Thank you to all of you for taking part in the certification process, because this way we make Fortenova Group an even stronger and better company” – she said on the occasion of receiving the certificate.

Employer Partner Certificate for as many as 16 Fortenova Group companies – three new ones and 13 recertified Companies
25.04.2024.
Companies
Employer Partner Certificate for as many as 16 Fortenova Group companies – three new ones and 13 recertified
25.04.2024.

Mercator Slovenija, Sarajevski kiseljak and Agrolaguna are another three Fortenova Group companies that successfully underwent the evaluation process and received the Certificate Employer Partner (CEP). Together with the 13 companies that already held the Certificate and that have now been recertified – Konzum, Pik Vrbovec, Jamnica, mStart, Fortenova grupa d.d, Mercator-Serbia, Mg Mivela, Roto dinamic, Zvijezda, Dijamant, Belje, Pik Vinkovci and Vupik – now as many as 16 Fortenova Group companies have an external certification of excellence in human resources management. Even more importantly, in the certification process all the companies had an even higher total score than last year.

The Certificate Employer Partner is an unbiased acknowledgement from HR experts in the European Community that confirms the highest quality of management in seven key HR areas, and the certification process covers and assigns points for a number of topics such as selection, competence development, leadership, work performance, involvement and satisfaction, career development and succession, rewarding etc. at all organisational levels.

The Certificate actually indicates that companies in Croatia have developed processes in human resources, and given that it is based on international standards, it also makes it possible to compare local and global practices and monitor progress in the development of the profession.

“There are many areas where Fortenova Group companies keep receiving independent, external acknowledgements of their excellence – whether when it comes to the quality of our products, projects, campaigns or, as in this case, the highest level of processes in Human Resources. The fact that for the third consecutive year the number of Fortenova Group companies that have received or renewed the CEP has increased, bears witness to our continuous progress in building a good work environment. For us this is an imperative, because today an independent certificate of the quality of the relationship that the company builds with its employees is becoming an ever more important comparative advantage for employers on the labour market across the region where we operate. And our companies from Slovenia, Serbia and BH also being part of the certification process additionally confirms that we insist on setting and adhering to the same standards across the Group” – said Fabris Peruško, Fortenova Group’s CEO and Member of the Board of Directors on the occasion of the Certificate Employer Partner presentation ceremony.

„From the very beginning of its operations, Fortenova Group’s focus has been on its employees, on creating a quality work environment and improving all key processes that are of exceptional importance for the development of our employees. All those efforts and activities have contributed to the outstanding results scored in this certification, and the fact that the Certificate has been assigned to as many as 16 of our companies confirms the excellence that we have been striving for as a Group. The Certificate Employer Partner comes with the responsibility to keep developing a desirable and encouraging work environment where our colleagues will be content, engaged and motivated going forward” – said Gordana Fabris, Fortenova Group’s Executive Director of Human Resources.

“It is a great responsibility to successfully build the quality of jobs for over 35,500 employees in 16 different companies. Regardless of that complexity, which is additionally emphasized by market dynamism, economic factors and challenges on the labour market, Fortenova Group has not lost focus and has paid additional attention to strengthening and developing its employees. Over the past three years since we have been following the structured and professional setting of a high-quality framework for the human resources management process, the job quality base has been significantly upgraded and strengthened, and all operating companies have paid great attention to collecting and processing the feedback from employees. In 2023 Fortenova Group particularly worked on improving the compensation package for its employees, and working on the social aspect of socially responsible operations is also their strategic determinant that consequently affects the work conditions for their employees. The education, development and career path of employees is very high on the list of priorities and hence significant funds as well as the time of both the employees and their coaches and mentors have been invested in internal and external training and education. We can say with confidence that such determination shall continue to lead towards successful operations and employee satisfaction. Congratulations for the renewal of the Employer Partner status for 13 companies and the attainment of this prestigious acknowledgment for another three Fortenova Group companies! – said Lara Šubić Šuša, Employer Partner Project Manager.

With four brands at the top of the BRANDscore list, Zvijezda is still Fortenova Group’s strongest company Companies
22.04.2024.
Companies
With four brands at the top of the BRANDscore list, Zvijezda is still Fortenova Group's strongest company
22.04.2024.

Zvijezda mayonnaise is again No. 1 at the BRANDscore list in Croatia, as confirmed by the BRANDpuls* survey that investigates brand strength among domestic consumers. According to the survey conducted for H2 2023, Zvijezda mayonnaise has for the second consecutive year made it to the very top of the list comprising as many as 1456 brands, and ranking among the Top 10 brands on the Croatian market there are another three Zvijezda products – sunflower oil as runner-up, Zvijezda Ketchup ranking seventh and Zvijezda hard table margarine as No. 8.
As in the year before, among the Top 10 there is also Jamnica, ranking fourth this year, with Fortenova Group companies thus featuring five brands at the top of one of the region’s largest market surveys.
At the same time, on the extended list comprising Croatia’s top 50 strongest products, ABC cheese ranked 13th and Margo spreadable margarine as No. 16 have improved their positions, while Jana still water ranks 21st.
When it comes to the regional placement, Fortenova Group’s strongest brands are Jana as No. 18 and Jana Ice Tea ranked 35th. At the same time, the rankings in other countries of the region show that in Serbia, similar to Croatia, the Group’s strongest brands are the products of Dijamant – Dobro jutro margarine (No. 4), Dijamant edible oil (No. 5), and Dijamant classic hard margarine (ranking 9th), while ABC cheese has scored a high position as No. 4 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The BRANDscore survey, conducted on 5600 respondents aged 16 to 64 in Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia, who ranked the brands in around 60 FMCG categories, has confirmed that the consumers are strongly connected to Zvijezda and Dijamant products that form the Edible Oils Group at Fortenova Group, which makes them the strongest local brands, particularly with regard to global brands that typically rank high at Adria region level.

Mercator signs contract on Engrotuš acquisition Fortenova group
15.11.2023.
Fortenova group
Mercator signs contract on Engrotuš acquisition
15.11.2023.

Mercator signed a contract on the acquisition of 100 percent of shares in Entrotuš today, and together with the signing of the contract, the procedure has been initiated to obtain the approval of the Market Competition Agency of the Republic of Slovenia (AVK). The merger between Mercator, owned by Fortenova Group, and Engrotuš will strengthen the market position of both retailers and provide new development opportunities for Slovenian suppliers and employees. The signatories to the contract are convinced that the integration of the the two companies forms an excellent foundation for the future growth of the integrated company and its operational sustainability in the long term, which will bring benefits for all stakeholders and, consequently, also for the entire economy.

“It is our great pleasure to close the year with yet another great acquisition in retail. Following Franca markets in Montenegro, the acquisition of Tuš stores is the second major expansion of our retail network within short time, whereby we have definitively affirmed the status of the region’s strongest domestic retail chain, proving what we had announced when we integrated Mercator into Fortenova Group’s network in 2021. Our satisfaction is even greater taking into account the challenges that retail operations have faced over the course of this and the last year. In spite of that, we have remained very focused on the realisation of our strategy, with the main goal being to get as close to our customers as possible across the entire network and to continuously offer them a wide choice of products and services at affordable prices, while strengthening the national economies in the five countries where we operate by fostering excellent relationships with local suppliers at the same time. It is our strong belief that this is the best guarantee for the long-term development of the entire national economy – from production through processing to retail – which then constitutes a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the region’s economies through employment and investment support” – said Fabris Peruško, Fortenova Group’s CEO and Member of the Board of Directors.

On behalf of the sellers, the companies Tuš holding and AH Invest 1, Andraž Tuš pointed out: “Today we have signed a sale-purchase agreement for 100 percent of shares in the company Engrotuš d.o.o., without the operations of Tuš drugstore, which is in the process of being spun off. After several months of negotiations we have decided to proceed with a buyer that, in our opinion, is the best choice for our employees, business partners and the development of the company’s core business. We believe that this integration will have positive effects on the Slovenian economy.”

Tomislav Kramarić, President of the Management Board of Mercator, said: „This transaction marks the continued ownership consolidation in the retail sector. Mercator has recorded stable organic growth, and the acquisition of and merger with Engrotuš will help us realize our business goals. I am convinced that the integration is in everyone’s best interests, from employees to Slovenian suppliers across the chain. The integration will also strengthen the stability of both companies and offer Slovenian consumers the best choice of products and services.”

Pending the obtainment of approval from the Market Competition Agency, no details of the contract or further development plans of the merged companies can be disclosed.

Gordana Fabris and Hido Lajtman become Executive Directors of Fortenova Group, management teams of Konzum, Tisak and MultiPlusCard strengthened as well Management
03.08.2023.
Management
Gordana Fabris and Hido Lajtman become Executive Directors of Fortenova Group, management teams of Konzum, Tisak and MultiPlusCard strengthened as well
03.08.2023.

In accordance with the strategic direction of the company’s further development, Fortenova Group’s Board of Directors decided to additionally strengthen the management teams at Fortenova Group and some of its operating companies. Joining the team of strategic directors are thus Gordana Fabris, as Group Executive Director of Human Resources and Hido Lajtman, in the position of Group Executive Director for Legal Affairs and Compliance.

When it comes to changes in the operating companies, Tomislav Bagić, former President of the Management Board of Tisak, has become new member of the Management Board of Konzum in charge of operations, Helena Klarić, so far President of the Management Board of MultiPlusCard, has assumed the position as President of the Management Board of Tisak, while the Management Board of MultiplusCard will be headed by Bojan Radlović, who will, along with his new position, continue to manage Fortenova Group’s digital operations as Director of Digital Transformation.

„With all these management changes, along with the focus on the Group’s business development, we wanted to additionally enhance the overall organisation. We are proud of the internal advancement of our high-quality managers who have already proved themselves with their work and results so far. We have been working together for years and all of them – from Gordana and Hido to Tomislav, Helena and Bojan – are committed and dedicated managers who know the system and Group values, the teams they are heading as well as all our comparative advantages and challenges really well. Their past contributions to our joint efforts in raising the Group’s operational excellence are a guarantee that in their new roles and responsibilities they will be even more committed to creating added value for all our employees, customers and partners. I wish them all a lot of success and excellent results in their future work”, Fabris Peruško, Fortenova Group’s Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Directors commented on the changes.

Gordana Fabris has since 2018 been in the position of Fortenova Group’s Director of Human Resources. Over that period, she has implemented a number of projects focused on supporting the business strategy and the priorities of Fortenova Group’s operating companies, which include strategic planning and employee development, rewarding systems, organizational change management as well as the overall organization and management of all other functions of Human Resources. She gained her previous professional experience in several industries – from the FMCG market to insurance and sales, and in the period from 2003 to 2017 she was responsible for the human resources management function in the Valamar hotels and resorts and at Valamar Rivijera. She holds a degree in psychology from the University of Zagreb and graduated from the EMBA studies of the Cotrugli Business School in Zagreb in 2014. She won the Best HR Manager Award in 2012 as well as two awards for Best HR Practices.

Hido Lajtman started his professional career at the former Agrokor in 2008, where he worked in different positions within Legal Affairs until 2015. From 2015 to 2019 he served as Director and Executive Director in Legal Affairs. With the commencement of Fortenova Group’s operations he assumed the position of Director of Legal Affairs and Compliance. Over the course of his professional career at Agrokor and Fortenova Group he has managed the legal team that negotiated and developed the creditors’ settlement plan, realized the financing at the time of the Extraordinary Administration and the refinancing in the amount of more than EUR 1 billion with international creditors. He ran the legal process for the Frozen Food Business Group divestment and was one of the sponsors of the legal aspects of both Agrokor’s original takeover of Mercator as well as Fortenova’s final takeover of 100% of Mercator which was completed in 2021. Hido Lajtman graduated from the Law School of the University of Zagreb in 2007 and passed the bar exam in 2011.

Tomislav Bagić, former President of the Management Board of Tisak, has transferred to the Management Board of Konzum, to the position of Board Member in charge of operations. He started his professional career as regional retail manager at Konzum d.d. and in 2009 he joined Mercator-H d.o.o., where he first served as Director of Retail and then as Executive Director of Retail, Wholesale and Logistics, to become Member of the Management Board of the company in 2013. From 2016 to 2018 he was President of the Management Board of Konzum d.o.o. Bosnia and Herzegovina. He joined Tisak in 2018 as Member of the Management Board and became President of the Management Board in 2019. Over the last four years under his management, along with the primary focus on the customer, Tisak has digitalized and developed its operations with numerous innovative services and projects, enabling it to keep its position as the leading kiosk retail chain.

Helena Klarić, new President of the Management Board of Tisak, has joined Tisak from the position of President of the Board of MultiPlusCard, Croatia’s largest loyalty programme. Over the period of only three years at MultiPlusCard, she made a great stride in digitalizing its operations with the new omnichannel loyalty platform and the extension of the programme with new partners and functionalities for all users. Prior to that, from 2009 to 2020 she was Assistant Director for the areas of retail and investments at Konzum. From 2003 to 2008 she worked at the Nielsen market research agency. Helena Klarić graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and holds a postgraduate degree in management (DSM).

Bojan Radlović is the new President of the Management Board at MultiPlusCard. Bojan holds an MBA degree from the London Business School and spent the last 10 years in various leading positions within the global digital ecosystem. He first worked at McKinsey & Company, where he ran several large digital transformation projects in various industries and then at Red Ventures, the largest American digital media company, where he was responsible for establishing and growing the business in Europe. Having spent 18 years abroad, he joined Fortenova Group on 1st September 2022 in the position of Group Director of Digital Transformation and will, along with his new position at MultiPlusCard, also keep managing the digital transformation at Group level.

Tomislav Kramarić new President of the Management Board of Mercator Companies
19.04.2023.
Companies
Tomislav Kramarić new President of the Management Board of Mercator
19.04.2023.

By decision of Fortenova Group’s Board of Directors Tomislav Kramarić, Member of the Management Board of Mercator, has assumed the position of President of the Board of Mercator d.o.o. Ljubljana effective today, replacing in that position Tomislav Čizmić, who leaves the company by mutual agreement.

Having managed Mercator’s retail operations since December last year as Member of the Management Board, Tomislav Kramarić has now assumed responsibility for the entire company and its full transformation towards a cost-effective and profitable part of Fortenova Group’s regional retail business. This is particularly important with regard to the market circumstances and dynamic changes and challenges faced by retail companies on all markets due to inflation and other instabilities. Given the results that he achieved in running Konzum’s retail operations, particularly during the operational consolidation period over the course of the Extraordinary Administration as well as through the challenges of the pandemic and global crisis, the Board of Directors considers Kramarić to be the best choice when it comes to managing the entire transformation process at Mercator.

“It has been a full two years since the transfer of Mercator to Fortenova Group’s ownership. In the meantime we have realized a number of activities focused on consolidation and taking over the 100 percent ownership, as well as the additional stabilization of the company’s operations. Tomislav Čizmić headed Mercator in the most sensitive period for the company and made a great contribution to stabilizing its operations as well as running and closing the process of Mercator’s transitioning to Fortenova Group and we sincerely thank him for that. We are currently in the process of integrating all parts of our retail business into a compact network and given the dynamics in the environment, we continuously keep looking for models to improve our regional operations in order for them to be to the benefit of all stakeholders, on all markets. Part of this are also changes related to key responsibilities within the system. Hence this change is also part of those activities that will, we are sure, lead to strengthening our market positions and to competitiveness in the long term for Mercator, and consequently for the entire retail business, too” – said Fabris Peruško, Fortenova Group’s Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Directors, on the occasion of introducing the change at the helm of Mercator.

Until joining the Management Board of Mercator in December 2022, Tomislav Kramarić built his career at Konzum over the course of fourteen years, having held a number of managerial positions. Among other things, he spent five years as Director of Retail, to assume responsibility for the retail business as Member of the Management Board of Konzum in 2020. He graduated from the Zagreb Faculty of Economics and completed MBA studies at the IEDC Bled School of Management.

Agrolaguna opens new Taste&Shop Festigia store and tasting room in Poreč Food
31.03.2023.
Food
Agrolaguna opens new Taste&Shop Festigia store and tasting room in Poreč
31.03.2023.

Agrolaguna’s new Istrian cheese, olive oil and wine tasting room and store was opened today in Poreč at the address Mate Vlašića 34. With the new creative concept called Taste&Shop Festigia Agrolaguna intends to enhance the offer of Istria’s oenology and gastronomy tourism. Attending the opening were Fabris Peruško, Fortenova Group’s Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Directors, Sotiris Yannopoulos, CEO of the Food Division at Fortenova Group, Nerina Zec, Chairwoman of the Management Board of Agrolaguna, Loris Peršurić, Mayor of the City of Poreč and Boris Miletić, Prefect of the County of Istria.

The newly opened store will offer its customers and visitors a wide range of premium Festigia and Vina Laguna wines, Ol Istria olive oils and Špin Istrian cheeses. The tasting room will be the venue for themed nights and educations about wine, oil and cheese and during the tasting events guests and customers will be introduced to the entire process and experience of creating Agrolaguna’s premium products. The intention is for this store and tasting room to also become the favourite gathering spot for all gourmets who appreciate indigenous Istrian products.

“The comprehensive renovation of this facility is an important part of Agrolaguna’s transformation into a modern wine, edible oil and cheese producer, a change supported by Fortenova Group both organisationally and investment-wise. The quality of our products has been acknowledged by numerous international awards, and having in mind the region’s tourism potential, with this new concept we have also made a step forward in terms of presentation because tourism is an equally important lever for the development of Agrolaguna as it is for the development of Istria. Our wish is for the tasting room, as well as for some other parts of the company like the vineyards or cellars, to become an indispensable point of the region’s tourist offer. The company has thus affirmed its responsibility towards its surrounding, contributing to the improvement of modern destination tourism, while also developing a partnership with the local community” – said Fabris Peruško, Member of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Fortenova Group on the occasion of the new store and tasting room opening.

Nerina Zec, Chairwoman of the Board of Agrolaguna, pointed out: “This concept constitutes a great opportunity to show both our long-standing and our new customers how much knowledge, experience and expertise we have invested in the production of high-quality local Istrian products. Our new Festigia tasting room and store offers a unique shopping and tasting experience, making it possible for all customers and visitors to get even closer to the Istrian culture.”

“There are many associations tied to Istria, one of them certainly being the comprehensive oenology and gastronomy offering, which is also the second most important motive for guests to visit our part of the world. As region we are too small to compete with mass production and therefore we have opted for excellence in everything we do. The County of Istria is proud of all achievements of our farmers and entrepreneurs, who have with their work and enthusiasm contributed to the promotion of the Istrian brand, Agrolaguna being one of them. Congratulations on the opening of the new tasting room” – said Boris Miletić, Prefect of the County of Istria, while Loris Peršurić, Mayor of the City of Poreč, pointed out that any city would be proud to call such a large producer of outstanding quality its own. “I believe that this boutique store will soon become a favourite spot for everyone who wants to take the taste of Poreč and Istria home with them. I would like to congratulate the entire collective that creates this products and wish them a lot of success going forward” – he said.

Together against food waste Social Responsibility
22.03.2023.
Social Responsibility
Together against food waste
22.03.2023.

Fortenova Group, Konzum, Zvijezda and PIK Vrbovec are among 33 signatories that have today signed the voluntary agreement on preventing and reducing food waste “Together Against Food Waste” with the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Agreement is intended to drive the food sector’s social responsibility, as well as collaboration, exchange of experience and defining of common goals and activities of the stakeholders involved, with the ultimate goal of preventing and reducing the generation of food waste in Croatia by 30 percent by the year 2028.

The Agreement is part of the Food Waste Prevention and Reduction Plan in the Republic of Croatia for the period between 2023 and 2028, as well as the reform measure “Food Donation System Improvement” from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and is signed for a period of five years. Pursuant thereto, a working group will be established that will prepare a Common Annual Report, where the involved signatories are obligated to submit progress reports.

On behalf of Fortenova Group and its companies the Agreement was signed by Marina Burazer, Director of Marketing at Fortenova grupa d.d., Uroš Kalinić, Member of the Management Board of Konzum, Tomislav Alagušić, President of the Management Board of Zvijezda and Slaven Ružić, President of the Management Board of PIK Vrbovec.

“Fortenova Group, with its companies engaging in agriculture, production and retail of food, is aware of the importance of preventing and reducing the generation of food waste. We have signed the Agreement in order to contribute to the reduction of food waste as well as to influence the raising of public awareness of this topic by way of concrete and measurable contributions. Each one of us, both personally and at company level, can contribute to a solution and I am pleased to say that our companies have since many years been systematically working in that direction – from efficient stock management, raising public awareness and promotional activities for customers to food donations. Konzum, for example, has for five consecutive years been holding the title of The Best Donor, having donated more than 1 300 tonnes of food. Such initiatives are good for the entire planet, as well as for individual states, companies and consumers – all in all, they are in the common interest of all of us and deserve to be approached with due care” – Marina Burazer stated on this occasion.