Sunday, 21st December 2025

Gordan Kolak, KONČAR’s President of the Management Board

The Quiet Powerhouse of Europe

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How a Central European industrial leader is quietly building global scale

For much of its history, KONČAR was seen as a national industrial pillar, closely tied to domestic infrastructure and regional demand. Today, the company is in the midst of a far larger transition – one that is repositioning it as a technology-driven, export-oriented industrial group with ambitions well beyond its home market.

By 2026, KONČAR Group plans to generate revenues exceeding €1.4 billion, with exports accounting for more than seventy percent of total income. At the same time, its order backlog is projected to surpass €2.5 billion by the end of this year, offering an unusual degree of visibility in an industry where uncertainty has become the norm. These figures are not the result of a sudden upswing, but of a long-term strategy built on investment, technological depth and international execution.

The foundation of that strategy lies in transformation. Over the past several years, KONČAR has redefined how it operates, moving from a primarily production-focused model toward one centred on advanced engineering, integrated solutions and long-cycle infrastructure projects. The company is closing its sixth consecutive year of record performance, a trajectory that reflects not only market demand, but the cumulative effect of sustained internal change.

Central to this shift is a major investment cycle. In 2026 alone, planned capital expenditure will exceed €140 million, directed toward modernising production facilities, strengthening technological capabilities and accelerating digitalisation across the Group. These investments are designed to support increasingly complex projects in energy and transport – sectors where reliability, precision and long-term performance matter as much as price.

Europe remains KONČAR’s primary arena. The European Union accounts for the majority of its export revenues, with Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and Norway among its most significant markets. Operating successfully in these countries has required meeting some of the world’s most demanding technical standards, as well as adapting to procurement processes that reward consistency and credibility over time. That experience has reshaped the company’s approach to global expansion.

At a Glance

POWERING GROWTH

€1.4bn+ planned revenues in 2026
70% of sales from exports
€2.5bn+ projected order backlog by the end of 2025
€140m+ planned capital investment
EU as the core market, led by Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and Norway

While Europe continues to anchor the business, KONČAR is steadily broadening its international footprint. By strengthening its presence on additional global markets, KONČAR is diversifying its portfolio and reinforcing its position as a dependable industrial partner capable of delivering sophisticated systems and long-term solutions. The emphasis is not on rapid geographic spread, but on building relevance where technological competence is the primary currency.

Investment, however, extends beyond physical assets. KONČAR has placed growing emphasis on developing human capital, recognising that advanced industrial systems are ultimately designed, built and maintained by people. Strengthening technical expertise, digital skills and project management capabilities has become a strategic priority, underpinning both innovation and execution across the organisation.

“KONČAR today operates as a strong, technology-oriented industrial system with clearly defined long-term objectives,” says Gordan Kolak, President of the Management Board. “Our strategy is based on continuous investment in production and technological capacities, digitalisation and sustainable solutions, with a strong focus on international markets. Partnerships and the development of competencies are central to ensuring stable growth and long-term competitiveness on a global scale.”

As the company enters a new business year, its focus remains firmly on endurance rather than acceleration for its own sake. Further strengthening of export capacity, continued investment exceeding €140 million and the execution of a growing pipeline of contracted projects are all part of a model designed to deliver stability alongside growth.

In a region often associated with cost-driven manufacturing, KONČAR’s evolution points to a different path – one based on value creation, technological depth and long-term thinking. By exporting complex solutions rather than simple products, the company is not only securing its own future, but contributing to the broader competitiveness of industrial production in the region.

It is not a story of disruption or spectacle. It is a story of discipline, engineering and strategic patience. And in an industry where trust is earned slowly and lost quickly, that may be KONČAR’s most valuable advantage.

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