The unit on the non-alcoholic beverage production market in Slovakia has completed a major modernization of its plant in Tornali. The company invested millions of euros in the new line. The goal is to increase production and satisfy customers beyond the borders of our republic, where the interest in our mineral water is huge.
A major milestone was reached by the company Budiš, which has currently completed an investment for 9 million euros in the plant in Tornali. It is there that they fill bottles with the popular Gemerka. The final project includes a new filling line from the German manufacturer Krones with a capacity of 26,400 pieces per hour (an increase of 42 percent), as well as a compressor room, the modification of the syrup warehouse and flood protection of the premises.
“It’s about improving the production conditions in our hall, as well as the quality and speed of production. The important thing is that we have people here who are the heart of Gemerka and want to produce Gemerka mineral water,” said Miroslav Horecký, head of the non-alcoholic segment.
Family atmosphere
The CEO of the company Budiš Andrej Hronský announced that a large line has been launched in Tornali, which will increase the capacity of the plant by more than 50 percent. “This is because Gemerka is very successful on the market – especially in the Czech Republic. Compared to Slovakia, we sell three times the volume there. We were not able to fulfill all orders, so we decided to significantly increase the capacity of the line,” he explained. He specified that the previous one was able to produce 60 million bottles annually, now it is 90 million.
“In the case of rising sales, it can be somewhere around 110 to 120 million bottles,” continued Hronský. “During the summer months, we basically couldn’t add more volumes due to the great interest,” he pointed out, adding that they are currently number two in the sale of mineral waters on the Czech market. “Similarly, we would like to succeed in Hungary as well. It may take several years, but we went into this modernization with that idea as well,” he stated.
The plant in Tornali currently employs 42 people. “Jobs will not be added directly in production, because its principle is to be as efficient as possible. This means that the same number of workers will produce more, but then someone has to process the larger mass of products. So, as part of warehousing and distribution to the markets, more drivers and warehouse workers will be added,” Hronský explained. However, it is not yet clear what number it should be.
Most of the current employees have been working there for many years. Bianka Trenková is a quality specialist in the company. She started working there in 2019 – while still studying at university. Since she was satisfied, she stayed there even after it was finished. “Working here is very good because we are all here as a family. I also have my mother and siblings here,” she smiled. “Overall, we are a good team, which is important, because we base a lot on those relationships. Some have been working here for twenty years or more, so it’s good,” she added.
Filip Maťašovský has been working at Gemerka for the fourth year, he is the head of operations. “This company employs a lot of people with good salary and working conditions. We make a lot of that water, we try to pay attention to the quality. This investment will move us further and increase the possibilities of production capacities, also market shares,” he recalled.
Wood that is carried to the forest
There is no doubt that Slovakia is one of the world’s great powers in the supply and quality of mineral waters. The mayor of Tornale, Erika Györfiová, is proud that the good name of their city is spreading thanks to Gemerka.
“Thanks to our historical Šťavica, which they started to fulfill very successfully in this plant, they hear about us not only in Slovakia, but also abroad,” she emphasized. A little lightheartedly, she mentioned Prague, where her relative lives. “He recently called me saying that everyone in the Czech Republic wants to buy Gemerka. It is very popular there and I am very happy about it,” she noted.
The mayor pointed out that Tornaľa is a small town with up to 6,700 inhabitants. “We value every single job. Forty families have found work at this plant, which helps us with unemployment, which is unfortunately at 14 percent here,” she concluded.
The investment in the new line is also appreciated by the mayor of Banská Bystrica, Ondrej Lunter. “You know how it is with the wood that is taken to the forest. That’s exactly the feeling I get when I go to a supermarket and see foreign brands of water on the counters. At the same time, the whole of Slovakia is truly blessed with perfect quality springs. I am even more pleased that this company is progressing,” he pointed out. At the same time, he underlined his gratitude for every job in the affected region.
“I also feel immense pride for the fact that Gemerka is number two on the Czech market – hats off. It’s not just that. It’s business acumen and an excellent product,” assessed Lunter. “Every single investor is welcome in this region, the door is wide open,” he continued. “We have to learn to shamelessly and openly support domestic companies. 3 billion euros leave Slovakia through foreign companies, which generate profit here and take it abroad. We have to change that,” added the mayor.
