The EMKA factory is located directly on the river Drina, the biggest river in the country, 60 miles to the southeast of the capital Sarajevo. “The Goražde production site is part of our dual sourcing strategy which helps us to react more flexibly and faster to the developments in the world market” explains the business owner and general manager of EMKA, Mr Friedhelm Runge, for the decision to expanding the production site. Dual sourcing means that the company in Bosnia-Herzegovina has the same production capacities as in Germany. The current success at the production site gives reasons for the new investments. In previous years sales have increased by approximately 15 percent each year. A growing time pressure and a tendency to downward world market prices due to south Asian and Eastern European competitors have also motivated the decision. All 46 countries, in which EMKA is represented, are supplied by Goražde.
The expansion has already started during last year. As a result, the production area of the site is increasing on both sides of the river Drina from 11.000 to 97.000 m². Approximately 20.000 m² of this area is specified for production. The current number of employees at EMKA in Goražde totals 190. Future expansion will see this increase to 320 employees, among them will be a large number of the company’s own apprentices. The apprenticeship of a specialist in metal and chemistry is very similar to that of the German system and takes three years. “The excellently trained specialists and the good transport system give a clear reason in favour of the expansion of the production site. Departing from Velbert, Goražde can be reached by truck in two days” explains Friedhelm Runge. With a vast range of production consisting of among other things, mould making, plastic-injection moulding, zinc and aluminium die-cast, punching, PU foam, a powder coating line and the complete final assembly. Due to the unique manufacturing expertise including its own tool construction, EMKA is able to realise client-specific and tailor-made solutions.