The SPIRIT Slovenia Business Development Agency and the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology have once again awarded the best foreign investors who have achieved exceptional results and contributed to the development of the Slovenian economy in the past year. With the awards for the best foreign investors - FDI Award Slovenia - the Government of the Republic of Slovenia aims to recognise the outstanding contributions of foreign investors in the Slovenian business environment. The awards, which have been presented since 2006, honour foreign owners and Slovenian employees, as well as their suppliers and customers, who are the cornerstones of their success.

And who are this year's winners?

It is a modern, dynamic and forward-looking company that manufactures and distributes socks and sells well-known brands in the sports and lifestyle segment such as Crocs and Hunter. It also distributes footwear accessories and accessories for various sports activities. Based on advanced knowledge, expansion and increase in production capacity, the company achieved high value added per employee last year. In the production of socks, it is one of the leading companies in terms of value added achieved per employee and is also a leader in terms of sales and profits. The Kočevje-based company, which employs 170 people, is part of the international Intersocks Group, which also has branches in Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, and Poland. The company has been present in Slovenia for a quarter of a century, more intensively since 2018, when it established its own knitting factory in Kočevje. The value added per employee in 2021 was almost 80,000 euros, which is a great improvement compared to previous years. At the same time, the number of employees in the company is also steadily increasing. In the last five years (period 2017-2021), the number of employees has doubled. In 2021, the company, traditionally tied to the European and North American markets, will generate more than 50 million euros in sales and about 4 million euros in profits. These are excellent results, considering the numerous challenges faced in the past period, such as more difficult supply of certain raw materials, unpredictable delivery times and the increase in logistics, material, and energy costs. The award was received by Borut Lončarevič, head of the company's investment department, who, upon accepting the award, said, "We are pleased that we, as a company from a small town, have been recognized by a foreign investor who believes in us, our knowledge, our products and our employees, and also by the country that rewarded us for our efforts. This is a great incentive to continue."

With innovative and smart solutions, the fast-growing company offers its customers a comprehensive experience in managing telecommunications equipment in their homes. It employs more than 120 top employees and generated more than EUR 1.7 million in revenue profit in 2021. With a value added per employee of EUR 127,448.85 in 2021, the company is well above the Slovenian average. As part of the global company Plume, which is present with its solutions in more than 30 countries around the world, it aims to provide advanced smart home solutions in the fast-paced modern world. The global company has won numerous awards for its smart solutions, which are already installed in more than 43 million homes worldwide. Plume is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, and in addition to Slovenia, the company has locations in Poland, Taiwan, Japan, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Canada. Jasna Mihelj Coustaury, director of the company, accepted the award: "This is a great recognition for us, for our colleagues, their knowledge and ideas, with whom we have created this story together, and for our schools, which they have equipped with knowledge. I hope our story will be an example for many others."

More information about the event and FDI Awards.