History

2018

We will remember 2018 as the year of activity preparing for EN 9100 aviation standard.
Workshops were organized to encourage employees to submit suggestions and report incidents.
We began implementing the quality academy for employees of the Impol Group.
We issued grants for the “metallurgy technician” profession and the “material engineering” and “mechatronics” study courses.
Impol-FinAl was relocated to new production premises.
We updated the drawing line in the tube plant production process.
We introduced a system for efficient energy consumption management in all the Impol Group production processes in Slovenska Bistrica.
Impol representatives attended the 147th TMS international conference ( Minerals, Metals and Materials Society).
At Impol LLT, we updated the homogenizing furnace and cutting saw, thus obtaining larger capacities and easier manipulation of products when cutting rods.
In Impol-TLM, we started with preparatory works to construct a foundation for a new slitting and cut-to-length line.
An audit of the quality systems was conducted, namely, the transition to the 9001:2015 and IATF 16946 standards which replaced the ISO/TS standard. As a result, Impol FT was certified for the first time according to the requirements of the IATF 16946 standard. In addition, auditors assessed that the quality system improved compared to the previous year.
We organized the family day for employees of the Impol Group.
Impol participated in organizing an event for children, i.e., the celebration of Frida’s birthday, which attracted several thousand people.
At the solemn meeting of innovators and jubilee attendants, we awarded Impol’s golden badges to 19 top innovators. We had a total of 100 jubilee attendants this year.
The Impol Group received the title of the best large company in the Podravje region for 2017.

2017

2017 will be remembered as the year of expansion since the Impol Group acquired at an auction through the company Impol-TLM, d. o. o., the production assets of the former TLM Aluminium in Šibenik, Croatia.
In addition, we continue renovating and upgrading programs in all areas of aluminium production: rolling, extrusion, finalization and casting.
This year, the Impol Group also started implementing a comprehensive approach to introducing the Industry 4.0 concept.
In 2017, the Impol Group was implementing a one-tier management system for the third consecutive year.
In organizing our business processes, we guaranteed transparency by rigorously observing the adopted Impol Group Business Code of Conduct.
We achieved an excellent operating result, which was again record-setting compared to past results.
We intensively developed the area of quality.
We organized the 21st Sports Games of the Impol Group.
On March 12, at the main celebration of the Municipality of Slovenska Bistrica, the Impol Group received the municipality’s Official document for the extraordinary contribution to the development and progress of the municipality in the economic, social as well as civil area. In addition to the Official document, Impol also received a monetary reward of EUR 5,150.80, which was donated for charitable purposes.
We also received the award “Good practices in the area of health and safety at work in 2016-2017” for the project “Introducing mentoring to improve safety and health at work in the Impol Group.”
The recognition was presented to us by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.
The Impol received the Golden Innovator of Podravje award.
Together with the broader local community, we celebrated Frida’s birthday (an event for children), which we organized and financially supported.
We granted 20 scholarships for the “metallurgy technician” secondary education program.

2016

The Code of Business Conduct of the Impol Group was adopted.
Numerous updates were performed, and investments into new production processes and equipment were made.
Lean management was introduced to the production processes.
Impol-TLM joined the Impol Group.
Prime Minister Miro Cerar visited the company.
Impol Seval received the prestigious award Top Serbian Brands for 2015.
A new alloy Al-Mg-Si was patented.
15 academic scholarships were awarded to students who enrolled in the new program metallurgical technician at the secondary school in Slovenska Bistrica.
19^th sports games of the Impol Group were organized.
A new company Impol – FinAl was founded in response to the market demands for the finalization of aluminium products.
Representatives of the Impol Group attended the fair Aluminium 2016.

2015

Impol Group celebrated its 190^thanniversary.
On our 190^thanniversary, financial means were allocated to renovating the pathway leading to the Bistrica gorge.
Numerous investments to update our equipment in the production processes were carried out.
Updating of casting and hot rolling capacities continued throughout the year.
A recycling and waste sorting competition was announced together with the kindergarten Oton Župančič in Slovenska Bistrica. The puppet show “The Moon’s dream” was performed at the final event.
18^th sports games of the Impol Group were organized.
11^th research symposium of the Impol Group took place in October.

2014

The investment in additional aluminium casting capacities, which will enable Impol to increase productivity by at least 15 percent over the following years, was finalized.
Minor improvements were made in several production processes.
The market share of products made for the automotive industry increased.
Reengineering of the information system was completed.
The transport traffic through Impol industrial zone was improved.

2013

Impol remains amongst the 10 biggest Slovenian exporters and the 15 largest companies in Slovenia.
Moderate sales market optimism enabled Impol to increase sales volume.
In 2013, Impol Group prepared and adopted both a renewed business strategy until 2020 and a long-term business plan for 2014-2020. The group has set ambitious goals to ensure permanent growth of the business volume and an intensive increase of the share of capital in financing business processes.

2012

Rondal company joined Impol Group at the beginning of the year.
The year 2012 was among some of the most challenging years due to price pressures in the field of aluminum reprocessing; there were pressures on raising aluminum purchasing prices, while on the other hand sales prices were stagnating or the buyers were pressuring for lower prices.
Despite adjustments and disadvantageous conditions for conducting business the profit was bigger than in 2011.

2011

There were no major stresses on the market.
Impol was still amongst ten biggest Slovene exporters and amongst 15 biggest companies in Slovenia.
The sales volume was similar to that in previous year.
Financial results in 2011 were the best of the last decade.
Impol Group has surpassed 47.000 EUR of added value per employee; the added value per employee was 20 % higher than in 2010.

2010

In 2010, the situation in the markets strongly hit by the crisis was brought back to normal, and the Impol Group (henceforth referred also as Impol) managed to match the success rates achieved therein in 2007.
Impol became one of the ten largest Slovenian companies with their head office in Slovenia operating abroad.
The volume and value of manufacturing and sales again rose to the planned volume and value, almost reaching the record achievements of 2007.
New capacities were gained by completing the investment in the extrusion line, based on which Impol plans to increase the scale of operations during next year by at least 10,000 tonnes.
By extending its 1MW solar-power plant, Impol demonstrates that it cares about the environment, substituting at least part of the energy consumed with energy generated in an environmentally friendly manner.
By commencing the renovation process of our foundry capacities, the company can now start preparing the grounds for a safer future supply with adequate input raw materials of adequate quality and form.
Increased demand also resulted in a rise in manufacturing and sales of sheets, coils and bars in particular. These areas thus contributed the most towards Impol’s business success.

2009

Predictions that 2008 would constitute just the first year of the economic crisis turned out to be correct, especially with respect to operations during the first eight months of the year. The crisis was most directly reflected in aluminium price developments at the London Metal Exchange (LME).
The Impol Group remains one of the ten largest Slovenian exporters and one of the twenty largest Slovenian companies.
The general economic crisis – the reasons for which and the main consequences thereof are to be found in the existing financial system – has resulted in issues pertaining to securing purchase prices of raw materials and trade receivables.
Financing operations and development proved to be extremely challenging and required financial reserves that would facilitate the continuity of operations to be set up.
Manufacturing and sales physically shifted to rolled aluminium products, whereas extruded products underwent operational disturbances.

2008

As predicted, 2008 was only the first year of the economic crisis; however, the year started off with a relatively high growth rate that slowed during the second half of the year and strongly regressed during the last quarter of the year marked by a sharp fall in demand, strongly reflected in aluminium price developments at the London Metal Exchange (LME).
In spite of an exceptional fall in aluminium prices, the entire Impol Group managed to generate EUR 446 million in market realisation, which is close to the result achieved in the previous year.
In 2008, the Impol Group was the fifth largest Slovenian exporter.
As a result of changed market conditions, the manufacturing volume fell by 3 % and was also lower than planned by the same proportion.
Internal ownership consolidation continued and status changes intended to rationalise the governance process were carried out in the Group’s subsidiaries. As Impol 2000, d.d., acquired an 97.5 % interest in Impol, d.d., it was decided that the status of the latter be changed from a public limited company (d.d.) to a limited liability company (d.o.o.).
The Board of the holding company of the Impol Group, Impol 2000, is now composed of three members.

2007

October 2000 was marked by an event that would impact the operations of the Impol Group (also referred to as Impol) on the longest time-scale: Impol 2000, d.d., acquired an additional 45 % of shares of Impol, d.d. As a result, Impol 2000, d.d., holding a total of 94 % of shares of Impol, d.d., became the controlling company within the Group, which thus increased by two new companies, while Impol, d.d., became one of the subsidiaries in the Group.
For the first time during its operation, Impol generated EUR 0.5 billion in realisation.
The manufacturing volume exceeded 160,000 tonnes, while annual growth amounted to 11 %.
In 2007, Impol was the fifth largest exporter in Slovenia.
Since 1 January, Impol has been operating within a different organisational structure. Most of its support services are provided on a contractual basis by means of so-called outsourcing, whereas each manufacturing programme is organised, as a reprocessing activity, within a specific company.
Aluminium product sales account for 98 % of all of Impol’s sales.

2006

The manufacturing equipment for the rolling and foundry programmes of our Serbian subsidiary Impol Seval, a. d., was modernised in both technical and technological terms.
The Impol Group generated more than EUR 400 million in annual turnover.
The Impol Group was the sixth largest Slovenian exporter and the third largest Slovenian exporter in terms of sales to the European Union. Exports amounted to EUR 378 million in value.
The Impol Group was thirteenth in terms of financial revenues of companies in the Republic of Slovenia and fortieth in terms of the number of employees.
The Impol Group invested EUR 2.7 million in R&D.
Impol, d. d., underwent an internal reorganisation programme resulting in the group operating as a holding concern. Operating activities were organised in five new subsidiaries included in the Impol Group. The basic objective of the reorganisation was to increase the added value and profitability of the whole Group.

2005

In 2005, Impol celebrated the 180^th anniversary of its operations as an organised company.
In 2005, Impol Group was the seventh largest exporter in Slovenia respectively the largest exporter in the Podravje Region in terms of total exports. The Group was also the fourth largest exporter to the European Union.
In 2005, 139,769 tonnes of aluminium products were reprocessed and sold.
The sales volume of Group Impol products rose by 14 percent compared to the year before.
In 2005, the manufacturing structure saw an increase in the share of the most demanding product, foils in particular.
In 2005, the Impol system continued its investment cycle that facilitates further competitiveness on the global market. Investments were not as intense as the year before but nevertheless still very high, amounting to almost seven billion Slovenian tolars (SIT) altogether.
Impol provides for the preservation of natural resources. Investments in new technologies thus don’t merely seek to increase productivity but to also reduce environmental impacts.
Environmental protection and the health of our personnel are constantly monitored and improved through the ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 systems.
In April 2005, manufacturing programs were reorganised by dividing them into the division of rolled and division of extruded programs so as to improve the manufacturing process in technical and developmental terms.
In 2005, Impol did not expand its activities to new areas, because all attention was paid to improving, modernising and utilising the existing capacities to the greatest possible extent. At the same time, the company specialised and restructured its production programs. The company abandoned the manufacturing of products with low added value in Slovenia.
Inventiveness is gaining in importance as a value. As many as 266 employees drew up more than 170 useful proposals.

2004

In 2003, the Impol Group reprocessed and sold more than one hundred thousand tonnes of aluminium products for the very first time – in 2004, the figure already amounted to as much as 122,233 tonnes.
Five years before that, in 1999, a little more than half of that amount – 64,040 tonnes – was reprocessed.
In 2004, Impol, d.d., was the sixth largest Slovenian exporter to EU Member States.
In 2004, Impol d.d. introduced new technologies and optimised manufacturing of rolled and extruded products. The share of rolled products reached 60% percent of the entire production.
Impol was one of the three companies shortlisted for the Business Excellence Award of the Republic of Slovenia and was awarded two special prizes for progress made in the introduction of the business excellence method.
The foundry and pipe shop manufacturing processes as well as the support processes acquired the ISO/TS 16949 certificate – Quality management systems – Particular requirements for the application of ISO 9001:2008 for automotive production and relevant service part organisations.
Impol is successfully developing its own research activities – in 2004, 40 development and research assignments were drawn up by 18 researchers.
The company again demonstrated its environmental awareness pertaining to the consumption of resources. In 2004, the consumption of non-potable water fell by as much as 52% or 387,000 m³ compared to the year before.
In 2004, Impol completed its preparations for process organisation of the company.

2003

In 2003, the Impol Group reprocessed and sold more than one hundred thousand tonnes of aluminium products.
It was the year of the largest investments to date – EUR 48 million was spent for restructuring the rolling programme.
Impol was one of the four shortlisted companies for the Business Excellence Award of the Republic of Slovenia.
Its alloy D90 was protected by the European Patent Office.
On the list of the largest Slovenian exporters in 2003, Impol was listed as the third biggest exporter to European Union Member States and the tenth biggest net exporter.
In 2003, the company successfully carried out the activities required for acquiring the upgraded ISO/TS 16964 automotive quality standard.

2002

The company generated practically the same amount in profit, totalling 1 billion SIT. Generated profit constitutes a real ground on which Impol’s further development is based.
In 2002, Impol operated in an extremely turbulent environment that was recessional for more than half a year.
Some changes were also caused by Impol, whereas others – especially those that proved to be more challenging to manage – were caused by the environment.
In 2002, Impol acquired a 70% of share of Impol Seval a. d, Sevojno from Serbia, thus expanding its operations to the global environment as well and expanding to markets where it had not been present before.
2002 also marked a turning point for other developmental guidelines: by completing the modernisation process of the extrusion programme and by starting the final phase of the rolling programme modernisation process in connection with the acquisition of Impol Seval, Impol finally established a programme of more demanding rolling and extrusion manufacturing programs. Impol’s market opportunities expanded by preserving diversified manufacturing programmes.
Attention was still paid to quality. The quality management system certificate was recertified by means of the ISO 9001:2000 version. The company also developed the basics for acquiring the ISO/TS 16949 automotive quality system certificate.
Impol is aware of the fact that it has a significant impact on the environment. In compliance with the ISO: 14001 environmental standard system, Impol avoids harming the environment with harmful emissions.
Impol was awarded the Business Excellence Award of the Republic of Slovenia for 2002, which, according to the auditors, suggests that all business processes are properly organised.

2001

A completely new market positioning strategy until 2005 was defined in which, for the first time, acquisitions and expansions play an important role in the company’s growth. Numerous investments got the go-ahead: modernisation of the foundry with new facilities, a completely new foil plant, a new extrusion press for hard alloy rods and profiles.
Impol sold over 80,000 tonnes of products and generated USD 191 million in turnover.

2000

Acquisition of the ISO 14001 environmental management standard.
Impol employs 860 highly skilled workers that manufacture and sell over 70,000 tonnes of products a year.
Our most important markets are Germany, Italy, the United States, Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands, Latin America, France, Australia and Slovenia. The company’s annual turnover exceeds USD 180 million.

1996-1999

Modernised manufacturing of extruded products (profiles, rods, tubes and pipes).
Discontinuation of all programs not directly relevant for the central metallurgical activities.
Introduction of strict environmental standards.
Manufacturing increases to 60,000 tonnes.
Introduction of a new method of strategic management and transformation into a public limited company.

1991-1995

Restructuring of the rolling programme for the manufacturing of more demanding products (circles, tread plate) and thus meeting of needs in new areas. The company becomes primarily export-oriented, selling 80% of its total production on foreign markets. Impol begins establishing subsidiaries abroad and becomes an international company.
Investment into the modernisation of the extruded products programme so as to expand the extruded and drawn rod, tube and pipe product range.
Acquisition of the ISO 9001 standard in 1992 confirms that the company operates in compliance with the highest requirements of the international community. In 1995, the company is recertified and continues to strive towards comprehensive quality control.

1976-1992

The period during which Impol formally merges with the neighbouring smelter TALUM, Kidričevo, into the organisation called UNIAL. Close cooperation therewith results in a long-term agreement for 40,000 tonnes of aluminium rolling slabs and billets.

1981-1990

Installation of two cold Quarto-rolling mills.
Construction of a new building for finishing aluminium.
Renovation and modernisation of the foundry by introducing appropriate surface and heat treatment of casts.
Preparations for the introduction of modern manufacturing technology for high-quality extruded and drawn products.

1971-1980

Construction of a foil production and processing plant.
Construction of a new hall where extruded products are manufactured.
Introduction of a new electrolytic oxidation procedure.
Modernisation of the wire product manufacturing process and beginning of welding material manufacturing.
Manufacturing increases to 40,000 tonnes per year.

1966-1970

Renovation and modernisation of the rolling mill. Production increases from 17,000 to 30,000 tonnes per year.

1961-1965

Renovation and modernisation of the extrusion and wire plant.
Penetration of international markets and the beginning of joining the ranks of the technologically most advanced companies in the industry.

1952-1960

Gradual reorientation of manufacturing from copper to aluminium due to increased consumption of aluminium and estimates of its potential. This decision was also facilitated by the construction of an aluminium plant in Kidricevo.

1946-1952

The final period of exclusive manufacturing of copper and brass products.

1915-1945

Following a complete standstill of operations during World War I, resumed expansion of activities pertaining to copper, brass and bronze rolled products and wires.

1825-1914

In 1825, founding of a company that manufactures forged copper products.
Gradual expansion of copper, brass and bronze finished and semi-finished goods range.

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