The trade between Slovenia and the US is flourishing as Slovenian exporters have increased their business with the US substantially. Although Slovenia’s most important market remains the European Union, it believes in diversifying its markets which, in this regard makes the United Sates very attractive..

In five years, SIJ will double its sales in the US

The Slovenian Steel Group Slovenska industrija jekla (SIJ) has been present on the US market with its high quality steel products for over 20 years. During this period the US has become the fourth most important downstream market for steel companies of the SIJ Group.

“In 2016, the steel companies of the SIJ Group - SIJ Acroni and SIJ Metal Ravne - sold 23,500 tons of the highest quality steel in the US and Canada, which accounted for 8 percent of the entire amount of steel company sales. Steel products are sold to more than 80 different American and Canadian clients. Our steel is considered high quality in both of these markets,” stated Dušica Radjenovič, the Director of Sales within the SIJ group.

In 2017 the goal of SIJ is to maintain and further increase the acquired market shares. “In the field of special and stainless steel, as regards either rod or flat rolled products, our goal is to strengthen our market share within the energy, automotive and engineering sectors. For those industrial sectors we’re actively obtaining the required quality certificates to supply customers with customized solutions in the most demanding applications. The goals in the next five years remain very ambitious, as we plan on doubling our current sales of steel products on the American market. We want to bring our steel products closer to the demands of our American clients and further increase our local presence by expanding our network of local agents and storage centers,” stated Dušica Rajdenovič.

SIQ to have its own laboratory next year for gambling in the US

The Slovenian Institute of Quality and Metrology (SIQ), with over 50 years of experience in testing, certifying, and controlling products and systems, calibrating measuring devices and evaluating and certifying management systems, is becoming an increasingly important presence within the global gambling industry. The SIQ laboratory for gambling is the only one in the world offering a wide array of services in the field of quality and gambling technologies. It is also the only European and one of just three leading laboratories for gambling that have licenses for work on five continents,” stated the SIQ company CEO, Igor Likar.

Expansion in the American market is of crucial importance for both the growth of SIQ, as well as for the development of Slovenian and other manufacturers of gambling technologies operating in the US market. Last year the SIQ opened a branch in Nevada. According to Igor Likar, they have so far obtained appropriate certificates and registered as an independent testing laboratory for gambling in Nevada, California, Arizona, Florida and Connecticut, as well as in numerous other markets (jurisdictions) which, in accordance with federal law, are controlled by the local Native American tribes.

“Next year they plan on establishing their very own testing laboratory, and by the end of next year they expect to obtain registration in over 100 different jurisdictions or markets. Mainly in those states and tribal communities that regulate the organization and promotion of games of chance - from more than 300 jurisdictions in total. Registrations obtained in the US will facilitate sales of products by the expanding Slovenian and world manufacturers of gambling technologies in this market,” explained Igor Likar.

Swatycomet plan to double their US sales this year

The manufacturer of artificial abrasives Swatycomet, which sells its products in over 80 countries on all five continents and has since December 2015 been owned by the American family business the Weiler Corporation, plans to this year double their US sales, stated the Director-General of Swatycomet, Matjaž Merkan. Among the users of products manufactured by Swatycomet are companies building oil pipelines, shipyards, iron works, foundries manufacturing products for the automotive industry and many others from all types of industries.

“Innovative products manufactured in Slovenia along with the excellent sales network of the Weiler Group from Pennsylvania, of which we are a part, are a combination that brings our end users a range of solutions in the field of abrasion and metal cutting,” added the company’s spokesperson. When asked which of their products are particularly competitive in the US and what their advantages are, Matjaž Merkan responded: “The US consumers have recognized the excellent value of the thin cutting wheels, which on top of their durability provide fast and accurate cutting.”

A record breaking demand for Impol’s products in Europe this year

Impol, the Slovenian manufacturer of aluminum products boasts a 190 year history and has been selling its products in the US market for more than 50 years. Last year the company generated 534 million euros in revenue and 56.8 million euros of EBITDA. The products the company exports to the US are mainly those with added value. The most significant being the group of products classed as aluminum rods, used in the automotive, electrical and aviation industries.

The US is one of Impol’s smaller markets, where the company generates three percent of its revenue. “The US market is so distant that we can only be competitive with the products with the highest added value; those that can bear the transport costs. Our sales network in the US is at the same level it was last year. In Europe, the demand for our products is the highest it’s ever been, while things aren’t the same in the US,” stated Vladimir Leskovar, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Impol Group.

Boxmark Leather increasingly focuses on the aviation industry

Boxmark Leather, the manufacturer of leather seat covers, generates most of its revenue in the automotive industry and has this year concentrated most of its efforts in the aviation industry field, where it has connected with renowned American producers. “At this moment, several new projects are already being developed for them,” stated the Boxmark Leather CEO in Slovenia, Marjan Trobiš.

“I expect that the aviation industry in particular will grow in the coming years and therefore offers a good way to counterbalance our automotive business. The proof that we are heading in the right direction has come in the form of an internationally recognized Crystal Cabin Award presented as part of the Hamburg Aviation Fair for products achieving excellence in innovative aviation interiors. By receiving this award we have shown our potential and the award itself has brought higher demand and worldwide contacts within the aviation industry,” added the company spokesperson.

The Boxmark Leather company this year continues to participate at specialized fairs and events. “I am happy to say that the quality of our Xtreme exterior furniture has convinced one of the biggest American vendors. We’re also very pleased with our program the Individual, which now doesn’t only involve the furnishing of smaller vessels, but supplying some of the greatest ship owners as well. Because the demands of the American market are best monitored with your own presence, we have decided to open a branch located in North Carolina,” stated the company CEO, Marjan Trobiš.