Thursday, 30th October 2025

Franjo Bobinac’s Legacy of Innovation and Resilience at Gorenje

Bobinac transformed Gorenje from a fading brand into a global powerhouse, securing its future and ensuring it thrived in the face of adversity

Franjo Bobinac, the former CEO of Slovenian appliance and consumer electronics giant Gorenje, has been awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024 by the Menadžerska Asocijacija. At 66, Bobinac’s career has become synonymous with resilience and ingenuity.

Starting at Gorenje just after university, he steered the company through turbulent economic times, particularly during the collapse of the Yugoslav market. Under his leadership, Gorenje not only survived but thrived, doubling its sales between 1998 and 2003, attracting top designers such as Swarovski and Karim Rashid.

When it became clear Gorenje could no longer compete on its own, Bobinac secured a strategic partnership with Chinese multinational Hisense, becoming the first non-Chinese vice president of the company. This move propelled revenues from €900 million in 2019 to €2.5 billion by 2024, significantly increasing profitability and employment.

A respected figure in both business and sport, Bobinac now serves as President of the Slovenian Olympic Committee and a member of the IOC’s Marketing Commission.

Have a news tip or story to share? Email us at info@connectingregion.com

The Minister Who Isn’t Human

When an Avatar Joins the Cabinet, Politics and Algorithms Collide In a world still debating AI’s limits, Albania simply acted...

Over 250 Workers Jobless After Kentaur Shuts Down Factory in Vranje

The Danish-owned company Kentaur Balkans has abruptly closed its factory in Vranje, Serbia, leaving around 250 workers without jobs....

Vučić Says Serbia Can Buy Russian Stake in NIS, but Moscow Prefers Third-Party Sale

The offer was made during a recent meeting with Alexander Dyukov, Chairman of the Board at Gazprom Neft, and...

Ferrari and Maserati Enter the Electric Vehicle Market

Ferrari unveiled its first fully electric car, the Elettrica, boasting over 1,000 hp, four in-house-developed electric motors, a 0-100...

Zuckerberg Predicts Mobile Phones Will Disappear by 2030

TThis is inevitable as new technologies like augmented reality (AR) glasses and virtual reality (VR) devices reshape how people...
spot_img

Connecting the Adria Region Decision Makers

The Region is more than a publication - it's where the region's elite converge for insights and opportunities