Media release 11.7.2024
11.07.2024
Digitalization for more efficient production of school furniture
Sarajevo 11.07.2024, Intesa Sanpaolo Banka BiH, a member of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group, joined the Go Digital in BiH program launched by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) at the end of 2022. Through this partnership, EBRD has approved a EUR 8 million grant to Intesa Sanpaolo Bank to further lend to local SMEs. Companies that applied for this loan could only use the funds to invest in new equipment and improvements to help them increase their productivity, reduce operating costs and improve compliance with EU standards.
One of customers of Intesa Sanpaolo Banka, Ingrat d.o.o. Gračanica, a company operating in BiH for more than 29 years in the segment of school furniture production, has applied for this credit line. After its successful implementation, the approved funds were used for the procurement of two robotic welding cells that were really necessary in their daily operations. These cells consist of a robotic arm, a positioner and a welding device. This type of equipment is necessary due to the lack of qualified labour force in the welding segment. So, following a thorough research, this company managed to find modern solutions that will improve their business in many ways.
"With this equipment, we have accelerated the welding process and achieved better quality of our products. Now all major batches are done with robots, so welders can move on to doing individual batches. We have managed to shorten the delivery times for certain product groups from 5 to 4 weeks. Unlike before, we can now apply and offer larger quantities of furniture. By purchasing this equipment, our company has increased the level of automation and digitalization in operational processes, and thus got closer aligned to the EU standards in the terms of environmental protection, safety and health at workplace", said Elvis Mejrić, managing director of Ingrat d.o.o.
Intesa Sanpaolo Banka and EBRD continue their cooperation on this project. Thus, in early June this year, they have signed off on the continuation of cooperation and on a new grant for the Go Digital credit line, as well as a completely new grant called Go Green. The funds from both credit lines are intended for small and medium-sized companies operating on the market of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
