Petar Corluka, Founder and Owner of Violeta Group – Being original and different has been our guideline from the very beginning
Petar Corluka is the founder and owner of Violeta Group from Grude, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary next year. Violeta Group operates in three countries of the region (Croatia, BiH and Slovenia), and, in a short amount of time, they have created a recognizable brand in a wider region as well. This company is the leading distributor in BiH and a regional leader in the production of hygienic items and their products can now be found in stores throughout southeast Europe.
– From the very beginning, our guidelines have been originality and an effort to be different. We place emphasis on high technology and premium quality, we invest in production daily and we are constantly exploring the needs of the market. A clear and understandable business strategy, investments in the development of products and employees, are the key elements for a successful business. As in the beginning, we continue to base our operations on being different, on the belief that we can always be better, keeping up with the competition and exploring the market.
What has changed in the market and how have you had to change?
– The needs of the market are dynamic and active and need to be followed on a daily basis through substantial analyses and research. In line with the results, the terms and the strategy of business operations need to be created and adapted. For a long number of years, the key priority at Violeta is to serve our customers and to understand them better than anyone else. A considerable number of education courses and tools that we invest in our employees and production gives us the possibility of having our team get to know the consumers and gain a real insight into the needs of the market. We are constantly investing in the automation of all processes using the advantages of the digital age. We are constantly paying attention to the new needs of the market, adapting our plans and building accordingly.
What is your recipe for long and successful business operations in BiH and the region?
– To be successful and important in any business scene, it takes a lot of creativity, insight into the people and the quality that you provide to the consumers, rising to the very top. For generations, Violeta is recognized for the production of top-quality products in the entire region, and we certainly need to keep raising the bar.
Have there been moments when you might have thought that you were not up to a business or managerial challenge?
– Each serious business faces numerous challenges and unforeseen situations. In fact, those challenges incite you to work even better and more actively toward the set goals. Such situations teach you that you have to adapt to all the circumstances quickly and efficiently and continue realizing the previously set plans. It is very important not to be distracted by success and to remain humble and with both feet on the ground at every moment. We are aware that, every day, we need to prove ourselves to our customers more and more, in order to stay at the level we want.
Since Violeta’s founding, you have expanded your range of products several times. In what way do you make business decisions? Who is your best adviser?
– By actively researching the market, we create the development of new products and, with that, the expansion of our range of products. A cooperative working environment enables individuals to learn and grow together, whereby we get professional and competent employees. I am always open for communication when it comes to suggestions and ideas, so we practice a democratic management style. We constantly exchange ideas, accepting those suggestions that are supported with the strongest arguments. I follow each business segment and I do have my own position, but I always accept better solutions.
What makes a company successful?
– Each successful company has a clearly set vision and mission. The focus needs to be on creating something different. Constant investments in the brand, high technologies and production automation, education of employees and corporate responsibility are the way to achieving success.
What are the company’s plans for the upcoming period?
– So far, Violeta Group has been dealing in the production of hygienic products, the current program and the distribution of well-known world brands. In the upcoming period, we are entering the food industry. So far, we have not had contact with the food industry and this is the first investment, which doesn’t mean that it is the last one. We certainly have big plans for Lasta and in other categories in the field of food. All the products will be upgraded and improved with a new packaging. In this situation, we have seen that the local production of food is very important, so our goal is to satisfy the local market with our entire offer. In addition to investing in the production of food, we are preparing some other investments in production, which would strengthen our competitiveness in the market. In addition to our main business, we invest in tourism on the Croatian coast. We are also negotiating about the acquisition of a production company in the Western Europe. In any case, it’s never boring here.
– From the very beginning, our guidelines have been originality and an effort to be different. We place emphasis on high technology and premium quality, we invest in production daily and we are constantly exploring the needs of the market. A clear and understandable business strategy, investments in the development of products and employees, are the key elements for a successful business. As in the beginning, we continue to base our operations on being different, on the belief that we can always be better, keeping up with the competition and exploring the market.
What has changed in the market and how have you had to change?
– The needs of the market are dynamic and active and need to be followed on a daily basis through substantial analyses and research. In line with the results, the terms and the strategy of business operations need to be created and adapted. For a long number of years, the key priority at Violeta is to serve our customers and to understand them better than anyone else. A considerable number of education courses and tools that we invest in our employees and production gives us the possibility of having our team get to know the consumers and gain a real insight into the needs of the market. We are constantly investing in the automation of all processes using the advantages of the digital age. We are constantly paying attention to the new needs of the market, adapting our plans and building accordingly.
What is your recipe for long and successful business operations in BiH and the region?
– To be successful and important in any business scene, it takes a lot of creativity, insight into the people and the quality that you provide to the consumers, rising to the very top. For generations, Violeta is recognized for the production of top-quality products in the entire region, and we certainly need to keep raising the bar.
Have there been moments when you might have thought that you were not up to a business or managerial challenge?
– Each serious business faces numerous challenges and unforeseen situations. In fact, those challenges incite you to work even better and more actively toward the set goals. Such situations teach you that you have to adapt to all the circumstances quickly and efficiently and continue realizing the previously set plans. It is very important not to be distracted by success and to remain humble and with both feet on the ground at every moment. We are aware that, every day, we need to prove ourselves to our customers more and more, in order to stay at the level we want.
Since Violeta’s founding, you have expanded your range of products several times. In what way do you make business decisions? Who is your best adviser?
– By actively researching the market, we create the development of new products and, with that, the expansion of our range of products. A cooperative working environment enables individuals to learn and grow together, whereby we get professional and competent employees. I am always open for communication when it comes to suggestions and ideas, so we practice a democratic management style. We constantly exchange ideas, accepting those suggestions that are supported with the strongest arguments. I follow each business segment and I do have my own position, but I always accept better solutions.
What makes a company successful?
– Each successful company has a clearly set vision and mission. The focus needs to be on creating something different. Constant investments in the brand, high technologies and production automation, education of employees and corporate responsibility are the way to achieving success.
What are the company’s plans for the upcoming period?
– So far, Violeta Group has been dealing in the production of hygienic products, the current program and the distribution of well-known world brands. In the upcoming period, we are entering the food industry. So far, we have not had contact with the food industry and this is the first investment, which doesn’t mean that it is the last one. We certainly have big plans for Lasta and in other categories in the field of food. All the products will be upgraded and improved with a new packaging. In this situation, we have seen that the local production of food is very important, so our goal is to satisfy the local market with our entire offer. In addition to investing in the production of food, we are preparing some other investments in production, which would strengthen our competitiveness in the market. In addition to our main business, we invest in tourism on the Croatian coast. We are also negotiating about the acquisition of a production company in the Western Europe. In any case, it’s never boring here.