INVESTMENTS IN NEW PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGIES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR EMPLOYEES LEAD US AHEAD

Pivara Skopje marks 40 years of the production of soft drinks. In the past 4 decades, Pivara Skopje from a bottler of local brands of soft drinks manages to become an authorized bottler of The Coca-Cola Company, having today in its product portfolio worldwide most known brands of soft drinks. Continued investment in modernization, new products, packaging, investments in staff and offering different choices of experiences according to the needs of the consumers and market trends are key factors to success, says Boris Ackovski, electrical engineer with a Master’s degree on Cotrugli Business School in Belgrade, today, Manager for alcoholic free beverages in Pivara Skopje, who with his extensive experience in the company testifies about the continued growth and development. The occasion for the conversation with Boris are the current news that come from the production of soft drinks that evidently change the market in terms of new flavors, new and innovative packages which are part of the strategy for sustainable development of Pivara Skopje.

At the very beginning Boris, when did you start your career and professional development in Pivara Skopje?

I joined Pivara Skopje 2004 as a Shift supervisor in the department for production of alcoholic free beverages. From the very beginning I had the opportunity to work on various projects in the field of production of alcoholic free beverages, cross-functional projects in Pivara Skopje and within the Coca-Cola HBC Group, which gave me a tremendous opportunity for learning and continuous professional development. Since 2013, I am at the position Production manager for alcoholic free beverages.

What was the motive and reasons to join a team of Pivara Skopje?

Pivara Skopje is a company that is constantly investing in its people and in their professional development. The opportunity to work for a company which in its portfolio has the best national brand SKOPSKO and the world’s best non-alcoholic drink Coca-Cola and which is part of two major global corporations Coca-Cola HBC and HEINEKEN is a huge challenge, and from this time distance, and unforgettable experience.

When the production of soft drinks in Pivara Skopje started?

The beginnings of the production of soft drinks in Pivara Skopje are back in 1977 with the startup of production of local brands and in 1991 Pivara Skopje becomes authorized bottler for the soft drinks of the brands of The Coca-Cola Company. In 2003, due to the needs for larger production facilities starts the production in new production plant for soft drinks in which we operate today.

How many employees work in the production of soft drinks Pivara Skopje?

Today in the production of soft drinks work 52 dedicated “Pivarci” who daily produce the best and highest quality beverages to our customers.

What does the manufacturing plant for soft drinks of Pivara Skopje has in its operation?

The production capacity of soft drinks in Pivara Skopje is consisted of syrup line- part where the drinks are prepared and four production lines for packaging in appropriate packs i.e. line for glass packaging, line for can packaging, line for packaging in PET bottles and a line of post-mix containers.

Pivara Skopje is a winner of prestigious awards with regards to the quality of soft drinks. Which ones makes Pivarci most proud of?

What makes us Pivarci especially proud and to which we, as a sector for the production of soft drinks, pay great attention is the perfect quality of the products coming out from our production facilities. This is illustrated by the numerous awards out of which I could mention: Two times “No. 1 Coca-Cola index for quality in the world” in 2008 and 2012 by The Coca-Cola Company and two times “Best quality and sustainable development “in 2014 and 2015 by Coca Cola HBC. This is due to the use of high quality raw materials in the production process, modern technology and equipment and most importantly, the dedication and commitment of our employees.

Although with the most technologically advanced production facilities and an extensive product portfolio, Pivara Skopje does not stop to invest in new technologies, new packaging, new flavors. Is that the key to the success of a company?

Overall growth and development of the company, including in the field of production of soft drinks in Pivara Skopje from its beginnings until today is based on several equally important factors: continuously investing in expanding our portfolio of products and packages according to the needs of our consumers on the market, continuous investments in the implementation of new production processes, improving existing processes and methods based on the suggestions from our employees and good practices from both Groups to which we belong, Coca Cola HBC and Heineken. In addition, I must point out that investments in constant upgrading and improvement of the knowledge and the skills of employees is one of the basic prerequisites for sustainable development of Pivara Skopje.

What are the priorities that you set up in the production of soft drinks for 2017?

During 2017 we continue to expand the portfolio of our products by entering the new flavor Fanta Exotic in packages of 0.25l in glass bottles and 0.50l and 1.25l in PET packaging. Also we invested in new packaging of 1.75l of Coca-Cola regular and Coca-Cola zero sugar, thus further strengthening the market position of our leading brand of soft drinks. All this is building up investment in new products and packaging that we had in the past few years, the introduction of multi-pack by 2,0l and 1.25l of Coca-Cola and Fanta Orange, the introduction of new packaging for Sprite 0.5l and 1.25l, the launch of Schweppes Tangerina etc.

Recently you have replaced the existing cap of PET packaging. The difference with previous one is evident. Can you tell us what exactly it is about?

In parallel with the introduction of new products and packaging, continuous work on improvement and optimization of production processes, the most significant project that we managed to realize this year is the implementation of a new type of bottle and cap of PET packaging , the so called, “Bottle with a short neck” which will allow us multiple benefits in terms of saving money for raw materials for our PET packaging.

But what is more important is the commitment to protect the environment because of the reduced amount of plastic we use for our packaging. Thus, in 2017 due to the reduced amount of plastic on our PET packaging, we as a company, will reduce consumption of plastic about 52.000 kg, while for the same quantity we will reduce the amount of plastic waste that is generated as a result of consumption our products.

Of course, implementation of these new projects, technologies and improvements in the production process of soft drinks would not be possible without the full engagement, involvement and commitment of all employees. Their positive attitude, willingness to learn and acquire new skills and knowledge related to new equipment and processes, and the many proposals that they provide for improving all aspects of the work is the foundation of our sustainable development.

At the end, given the complexity and scope of your work, how do you make a balance between your private life and work responsibilities?

The free time I have I try to fully dedicate to my family. Given the dynamics of life that we face everyday, we use every free moment to travel but also to spend time with our friends.