In the industrial outskirts of Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina, SECOM, a long-established producer of wooden panels, is undergoing a major transformation to adapt to new market and regulatory realities. For 35 years, the company has navigated various challenges, but today’s demands – driven by stricter environmental standards and a shifting business landscape – are prompting significant changes in its operations.
One of the most important steps SECOM has taken is adopting solar energy to power its production. The company secured financing from Intesa Sanpaolo Bank d.d. BiH through the SME Go Green programme, an initiative funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Union to help small businesses cut their environmental footprint and operating costs. With this support, SECOM installed a rooftop solar power system across its production halls, consisting of five integrated panels with a total capacity of 580 kW. The impact has been immediate, reducing energy bills and enhancing the company’s competitiveness.
Following the investment, SECOM also received a cashback grant equal to 15 per cent of the total investment amount, financed by the European Union. The move is not only about saving costs but also about securing the company’s position in the EU market, where its main trade partners – Germany and Denmark – are tightening environmental requirements. The visible commitment to clean energy helps SECOM meet these higher standards and strengthens its market reputation.
Amela Trako, who has been with SECOM since the company’s inception, stated, “This is one of the hardest times that we have been through. We need to adapt on many levels. From global instability and a challenging trade situation, particularly in the wood industry where there has been a drop in export prices of some products, to new carbon regulations and higher energy prices – all of it affects our business.”
“Since installing the solar plant in November, our electricity costs have dropped by 20 per cent, which is significant considering that we are spending tens of thousands of euros on electricity each month,” says Trako. “We’re expecting even greater savings over the summer months.”
Trako further explains, “We know that to keep trading with EU countries, we need to show our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, especially regarding the energy that we use for our production. Visoko has many production companies but not enough workers. A lot of people have left for EU countries, so we face a serious labour shortage. The revenue from those products makes up less than 10 per cent of our total sales but that’s not the point. It’s about showing that we recycle, that we’re serious about going green.”
Alongside its renewable energy investment, SECOM is embracing digitalisation and automation to address workforce shortages. The company plans to automate high-risk or repetitive tasks, improving efficiency, increasing production capacity, and enhancing workplace safety. Sustainability is deeply embedded in SECOM’s production model, which operates on circular principles.
In addition to manufacturing solid wood panels for the furniture industry, the company processes leftover wood into pellets and briquettes, ensuring that nothing goes to waste. As the European Union moves forward with regulations such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, SECOM’s proactive green and digital transformation underscores a critical truth for manufacturers in the Western Balkans and beyond: sustainability is no longer optional – it is a fundamental business requirement.
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