About gorenje

A Global Brand

The roots of present-day Gorenje can be traced back to the Špeh blacksmith shop operating in the village of Gorenje in the period immediately after World War II. After nationalization in 1950, it was renamed to District Metal Works Gorenje – a company with ten employees. In March 1953, Ivan Atelšek, the first of Gorenje’ s visionary managers, was appointed head of the company. To him, improving performance of the shop was far from enough; he sought to develop the workshop into a real enterprise. He reorganized the company, improved labour efficiency, upgraded the products, and extended the production program. The range of fruit mills was a success, and Gorenje's thresher machine was even awarded a patent in 1956. This is viewed as the kick-off point of employee innovation at the company; to this day, it was followed by over 150 patents and numerous innovation awards. The next watershed in Gorenje's history was the relocation in 1958 which allowed the company to launch the production of "Tobi" solid fuel stoves. This year is actually a double anniversary – it has also been fifty years since the company's relocation to Velenje. At the time, Velenje was a rapidly developing mining town which provided conditions conducive to Gorenje's further development and expansion. The coalmine had a lot of available premises next to the old shaft and it was in the interest of the mine's management to find employment for coalminers' wives as well. The company was renamed to Gorenje, Home Equipment Factory, Velenje. Modern facilities and improved technology allowed expansion of production to electric and gas cookers / ranges. Nineteen sixties were the decade when women were emancipated and freed from household tasks as these were increasingly performed by machines – home appliances. The first automatic washing machines were manufactured in Velenje in 1964. Thus, Gorenje became the first washing machine supplier in Yugoslavia and by its 20th anniversary in 1970, the company was already producing over 200 thousand washing machines per year. Involving a very wide range of products, the HOME Program became Gorenje's development priority. Production of small home appliances was launched, and a year later the first TV set under the Körting brand was produced; the "Electronics" plant also launched the first Gorenje TV sets. Soon after, the offer of products was further extended with kitchen furniture. Most products were a result of Gorenje's in-house research and development activities that yielded original solutions and improvements. Company's ambitious plans saw a substantial setback last year with the onset of the global economic crisis. New measures were taken to secure Gorenje's existence and further development. Professional approach and immense effort resulted in a timely and responsible reaction to the changed market conditions, allowing the company to retain the confidence of the consumers and even boost market shares. Everyone at Gorenje believes that after the crisis, high level of innovation and development activities are the only way to success. Gorenje is more than a brand; it is a junction of people who believe in their own creative power and share a clear vision of the future – for the next 60 years of creativity.