The results of the Ventilator for Srpska charity campaign, which we launched, are unprecedented both in the Balkans and the region.
The success of Tehnički Remont Bratunac Company (TRB) is based on many years of experience and a strong legacy. The company has perfected its wide range of products and services thanks to decades of experience and continuous research and development. We spoke with Slaven Ristić, Managing Director of TRB, about how the company coped during the pandemic, its results, plans for the next period as well as many other topics.
The coronavirus pandemic and full lockdown in certain countries have affected many segments of the business. How did all of that affect the operations of Tehnički Remont Bratunac?
A very unpredictable and turbulent year is behind us all. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had a dominant effect on the activities in the TRB Company. At the beginning of the year, as a team, we engaged all our human and material resources to help the state and the population. The results of the Ventilator for Srpska charity campaign, which we launched, are unprecedented both in the Balkans and the region.
However, despite this scourge, we managed to achieve enviable business results in 2020. In addition to all the mentioned social engagements in mitigating the consequences of the pandemic and despite all the negative changes and consequences caused by the pandemic globally, we have managed to maintain consistency and deliver the agreed quantities of Despot vehicles and RS9 pistols to the Interior Ministry of the Republic of Srpska and lighters for military use to Egypt. We have also started working on new products and are continuing to improve the existing ones.
In March last year, our team launched the Ventilator for Srpska charity campaign to animate the business community, public institutions and all people who could help with their donation towards purchasing ventilators and other emergency and consumable medical equipment for hospitals and the general population.
Additionally, we bought 10,000 bottles of ready-made disinfectant solution, which were distributed to the population, and procured medical isolation kits worth 18,000 euro for the health care system in the Republic of Srpska, which were necessary for testing for the COVID-19 virus. TRB’s employees also donated part of their income to the Red Cross and thus showed their support for the campaign.
During the Ventilator for Srpska campaign, a total of 2,649,876.01 KM was raised. The ventilators (AVENTA-M – 50 pieces) were bought JSC UIEP Company, based in Russia, for 2,305,080 KM (95,000,000.00 RUB) or 46,101.60 KM a piece.
In 2013, you bought TRB, which was bankrupt at the time, and which destiny hung in the balance. Today, this is one of the most respectable companies which has clients worldwide. What is the secret and the principles of your success which make the foundation of your company? What results are you most proud of?
Vision and people are the main principles of our success. We have managed to make the vision I had when starting the company a common one. Today, all our employees share the company’s vision and it is our guideline. I am the proudest of the fact that, throughout all these years and the challenges we had to overcome, our team has remained loyal to this day.
Which product or service would you like to single out as the most successful from the wide range of your products and services?
It is, without a doubt, DESPOT, an armoured, multifunctional off-road vehicle with 4×4 drive and carefully selected, manufactured and connected components. This vehicle is made by TRB and the entire region is proud of it, not just the Republic of Srpska. DESPOT is the result of experience, passion and teamwork.
“The future is new people who will recognize themselves in our story”
DESPOT is a contemporary armoured vehicle that can perform a very wide range of missions for police and armed forces. The central concept of the vehicle is based on a multi-purpose chassis made of modern power drives and power transmission, and an independent suspension system that allows a high degree of mobility in all terrain and weather conditions.
We, at TRB, have no intention of stopping at this but are continuing full steam ahead, to new victories with new and improved products.
The military industry, especially in our part of the world, has a bad reputation and there are many prejudices about it. How do you do business in such an environment? How transparent is your work?
We are a respectable company with a tradition that spans almost 70 years. We transparently do business and we are not arms traders or dealers. Tehnički Remont Bratunac was established in 1955 as a state-owned company with a focus on maintenance, repair and overhaul of motor vehicles and weapons, but today we have adapted our business to the modern world and the way of doing business. Following that, we have used modern ways of communication and we try to be as transparent as possible in business and in addressing our clients, business associates and colleagues in everyday communication.
This is supported by the fact that, from the very beginning of our business, we have communicated transparently regarding our products which we are extremely proud of:
– DESPOT- an armoured, multifunctional off-road vehicle;
– RS9 Vampire – 9mm semi-automatic pistol;
– Demining machine MH-17;
– Production line for the ammunition up to 12.7 mm calibre;
– Lighters for military use;
– Radar systems;
– Mobile protection systems.
I agree with you that the military industry itself, and especially in our region, operated under a veil of secrecy, and I think we should stop mythologizing this since people today are faced with much graver global challenges than the military industry itself.
TRB is considered a socially responsible company in the region. How do you contribute to the community in which you operate?
From the very beginning, we have defined that our mission is, among other things, to operate as a socially responsible company and to help and support when, where and how much we are able to do so. We help sports, culture and art, and we also provide support in emergencies that both individuals and the population find themselves in. One of the campaigns that we have launched and that we are all especially proud of is the Ventilator for Srpska humanitarian campaign.
A very challenging year is behind us. What do you expect from 2021 and what are the company’s plans?
TRB’s plans for 2021 include participation and presentation at three international trade fairs, in Abu Dhabi, Belgrade and Cairo.
We have just returned from Abu Dhabi where our company has very successfully presented its products at the IDEX Trade Fair (THE INTERNATIONAL DEFENSE EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE) for the third consecutive year. TRB was one of 1,300 companies there that came from over 60 countries.
Next, we are going to exhibit the Partner 2021 International Fair of Arms and Military Equipment in Belgrade in June and at EDEX 2021 (EGYPT DEFENCE EXPO) in Cairo just before the end of the year.
“We get extra wind in our sails and the inspiration for new ventures when we see how members of the TRB team share the same vision for the company”
Also, our plan for 2021 includes innovations and working on improving existing products, but also boosting our human resources by investing in new staff and team building for existing employees. Our employees are our strength. We get extra wind in our sails and the inspiration for new ventures when we see how members of the TRB team share the same vision for the company. At that point, a synergistic effect occurs and then we all know that we can achieve everything we want, and even more.
We want 2021 to be a year in which we will solidify our position and our material and human capacities, and be ready to sail into new challenges and conquer new markets. The future lies in development and new challenges. The future is also new people who will recognize themselves in our story.