"Ikea" invested 500,000 EUR in "Simpo" - Serbian sofas in European market

- As an extension of successful and long-term cooperation, Swedish "Ikea" has invested 500,000 EUR in expansion and improvement of production capacities of Vranje-based "Simpo". These funds are used for installation of a modern automatic tailoring line, of which capacities are now 20 times larger - said Slađan Disić, the Director General of "Simpo".

– The support that "Simpo" has got from company "Ikea" is of great importance for development and improvement of competitiveness of domestic furniture industry. This line will make it possible for us to apply some of the world's best solutions in the production of furniture and meet the growing demands of the furniture market. The investment of "Ikea" is even more important when we know the plans of "Simpo" for greater presence in the international market – says Disić and adds that "Simpo" and "Ikea" have agreed on new deliveries of sofas to the retail facilities of Swedish companies in several markets of EU, starting next month.

Disić said that that investment and the agreement were clear signs of the dedication of Swedish company and its crucial role in development of Serbian furniture industry.

By the way, "Ikea" and "Simpo" signed 5.5m EUR worth of contract this year on export of "Simpo" sofas to the retail facilities of that Swedish company in Russia. The negotiations on extension of that contract for another three to five years are underway. Also, the delivery of "Simpo" sofas worth 1.5m EUR to the markets of Italy, Spain and Portugal has also been agreed on.

– It is of great significance to "Simpo" that the negotiations on continuation of cooperation with this Swedish company in production and delivery of beds for children, mattrasses, tables and chairs are still in progress – says CEO Disić.