On Friday, 30 August 2013, Sardina’s new production plant, one of the most modern fish processing facilities in Europe, was officially opened in Postire by Tihomir Jakovina, Minister of Agriculture.
The opening of this facility, which covers 12,136 square meters, is the beginning of a new era for the company and it reinforces of Sardina’s position as a regional leader in fish and fish product processing. With this move, production has been raised to the highest possible level, from achieving the maximum product quality to the energy efficiency of our business.
The value of this investment is 250 million kunas, 70% of which has been provided by the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HABOR) and the rest from our own resources. The new facility is expected to increase production to as much as 40 million cans per year, to intensify the production of new products, and to provide employment for new workers.
“With great assistance from HABOR, Sardina has been making investments for years. First, we formed our own fleet of fishing boats. Then, after considering trends in the global market and our entry into the European Union, we made the courageous move of making this investment, knowing that fishing has great prospects in the EU,” said Mislav Bezmalinović, general manager of Sardina.
During the opening ceremony, Minister of Agriculture Tihomir Jakovina pointed out that fishing is an important strategic sector of the Croatian economy, and that this factory on Brač is the biggest investment in fishing since Croatia gained its independence. He expressed his satisfaction by adding that the new factory in Postire is a good example of cooperation between the relevant institutions at both the local and national levels.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Zlatko Ževrnja, Head of the Split-Dalmatia County. He pointed out to the most important fact is that a major investment in the production and processing of fish and fish products has taken place on Brač because Croatia can make great strides forward in the EU only by strengthening its manufacturing sector.