Gorenje Group history, company profile (overview) and corporate video
Gorenje is an appliance manufacturer headquartered in Velenje, Slovenia. Its main focus is on household products and services. Among their other businesses are also ecology-related services, toolmaking, engineering, catering, and trade.
It has production facilities across Europe, in Slovenia, Serbia, and the Czech Republic, as well as development and competence centres in Sweden, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia.
HISTORY
Gorenje’s roots can be traced back to the Špeh blacksmith shop operating in the village of Gorenje in the period immediately after World War II. After nationalization in 1950, it was renamed District Metal Works Gorenje
1950 – 1960
- The establishment of Gorenje in a village that bears the same name. Initially, the company was involved in the manufacture of agricultural machinery and the provision of building materials
- In 1958 it expanded its operations to the production of solid-fuel cookers
- This was followed by a relocation to the nearby town of Velenje in 1960 and the construction of new assembly facilities
1961 – 1970
- The company expands its production to washing machines and refrigerators
- 1961 Gorenje first exports to Germany
1971 – 1980
- Its product range extends to the manufacture of kitchen units, ceramics, medical equipment, telecommunications devices, TV sets and other electrical goods for home
- The first steps were taken in the establishment of a distribution and sales network across Western Europe, further to which companies were established in Germany, Austria, France, Denmark and Italy
1981 – 1990
- Major focus on core business – household appliances. A period marked by disinvestment from non-profitable manufacturing and commercial operations and a consequent refocusing on the area with most experience and pre-eminent products – to the household appliances.
1991 – 1996
- A restructuring of Gorenje, away from the erstwhile socialist self-management system to a stock exchange-listed fully privatized company operating in a developing market economy
- Due to the loss of the domestic market caused through the disintegration of Yugoslavia, this period was also marked by an intensive reorientation toward export expansion
- The establishment of companies in Eastern Europe (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria and Slovakia) predicated on the changes occurring in the region congruent to the development of new market economies
1997 – 2005
- Gorenje becomes a public company
- Investing into new products and technology: opening up of new markets, ecologically-sound and cutting – edge technologies
- As to its strategic plans Gorenje has infused new life into its business doctrine familiarly known as: “Everything for Home“
- Acquisition of Mora Moravia, a.s., cooking appliances producer from the Czech Republic in year 2004
2006 – 2009
- Opening of the new refrigerators and freezers plant in Valjevo, Serbia in year 2006
- New cobranded conceptual design lines Gorenje Pininfarina II, Gorenje Swarovski, Gorenje Ora-Ïto, Gorenje designed by Karim Rashid
- Acquisition of the company ATAG in year 2008
- New design of Gorenje new generation of cooking appliances, innovative fridge freezer “Gorenje for iPod“, Gorenje Retro Collection and Gorenje Simplicity design-line.
2010 – 2020
- Acquisition of the company ASKO in year 2010
- Launch of the new brand gorenje+
- New generation of Gorenje washing machines and dryers, intelligent fridge freezers, Xtreme Power induction hobs, Gorenje Vita and Gorenje One product lines
- New strategy 2015 – restructuring of Asko manufacturing operations”
- In 2018, Gorenje was acquired by the Hisense Corporation, one of the world’s leading electronic and white goods manufacturers
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
- Heating Systems;
- Solar Energy;
- Computers and IT equipment;
- Gorenje Kitchens;
- Gorenje Ceramics;
- Trade & engineering;
- Toolmaking;
- Automation and industrial equipment;
- Security: Protecting People and Property;
- Energy Systems;
- Services on environmental issues;
- Recycling;
- Waste management;
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Waste Management;
- Hotel Paka;
- Gastronomy.
BRANDS
- Hisense;
- Gorenje;
- Körting;
- Mora;
- ATAG;
- ETNA;
- Pelgrim;
- ASKO;
- UPO.
With more than 80,000 employees, Gorenje is considered one of the largest manufacturers of household appliances in Europe. According to Forbes, it is considered one of the Largest Public Companies in the World.
*Information from Wikipedia.org and www.hisense-europe.com.
**Video published on YouTube by “Gorenje Global“