Petre, d. o. o.

From a locksmith’s workshop to manufacturing tents

The company began in 1983, when the founder Jože Petre opened a small locksmith’s workshop. “I had dreamt of my own workshop from a young age. I wanted to manufacture machines and create – for people, society and myself. My wish came true when I was joined by my wife who supported me and my ideas,” explains Jože. His wife Mira, today a Director, has taken care of everything running in the background from the very beginning. The company operated successfully until Slovenia declared independence, when the general crisis affecting the whole country also hit the Petre family. They tackled it by closing down the workshop and opening a restaurant, which they ran for two years. “While working in catering, we discovered that there was a lack of overhead cover at events and gatherings of larger groups of people. We came up with the idea of starting to rent tents and canopies. As I worked in the hop-growing business, I knew various breweries had tents around Europe already at that time. However, this was still something new in Slovenia. We bought our first tent in 1992/93,” says Mira, recalling the beginning of their latest business.

The German dealership from which they bought their first tents remains their main supplier even today. “My husband says that they have the Mercedes of tents. Later on, we started with our own production line of PVC tarpaulins. We are also trying to establish our own production line of storage halls. We already manufacture corrugated iron storage halls, and even though we still import aluminium constructions, we would like to start manufacturing these as soon as possible. Our greatest wish is to develop a machine that would make it easier to assemble and disassemble tents,” Mira reveals.

Their daughter Ane Mari recalles the sudden change in the demand for tents, which accompanied the last economic crisis: “At the beginning the tents were intended for events. During the crisis, in 2008, the need for storage halls and tents appeared. At the time everybody was scared of investing in construction, and temporary objects were suitable for everyone, as they could hire them and if necessary purchase them. During the crisis people were uncertain as to what the situation would be in a year or two, which was why we provided a perfect solution.”

The storage hall segment expanded greatly from 2007 to 2008 and is still growing. It covers the hire and sale of storage tents and the production and sales of fixed storage halls. The Petre family business expanded their range with aluminium storage halls of standard dimensions and corrugated iron storage spaces. This is the third type of semi-covered space without support pillars, wider than 50 meters, which they have developed over the past four years.

Family business – space for the daughter’s development

As the only child in the family, Ane Mari grew up with the company. “My father often joked that I was there at the time he had the locksmith’s  workshop, because it was at home. I also liked to help out at the restaurant, and I have been working in the tent business from the very  beginning. At first I helped out with basic tasks during the holidays,” says Ane Mari, describing her upbringing.

“While the company was reaping success, Ane Mari was successful in her studies, which is why we did not wish to burden her with the family business. However, in the end it was her decision to join,” explains Jože. In 2009, Ane Mari accepted a position in the company, which also employs her partner Jani, who is Head of Procurement. According to Jože, the young couple have given the business new energy and momentum. “From my studies, I contributed graphic design to the business and started creating a corporate identity. I do everything: from invitations, preparing protocols to erecting tents, plus the entire VIP image of events and weddings. I also deal with commercial work and finances,” recalls Ane Mari. She responds unreservedly to the question of a takeover: “It is our wish to preserve it as a family company; this is a great moral responsibility, as we wish to preserve our good practice.”

She is extremely proud to have inherited her father’s honesty. “My father is a financier, he is an honest worker, and I consider honesty to be of the utmost importance. I love asking him for advice. I hope I inherited at least 80% of my mother’s ambition, for she is truly ambitious when searching for new opportunities and clients,” says the daughter, paying respect to the  family values.

Young and enthusiastic workforce

Mira’s persistency and entrepreneurship will not allow the company to go downhill. “The entrepreneurial streak was placed into my cradle, for I got this from my parents. My husband and I have learnt a lot while living abroad. When we were young we lived in Germany for 10 years. I never truly focused on money. It always seemed more important to create something and to give something to your environment – provide job positions, make people happy and create an environment in which people enjoy working,” reveals Mira. Success within the Petre company is measured by the growth in tent hires.“I put 100% into everything I do. Our managerial cadre has been carefully selected and we know we can rely on them entirely. We also focus on novelty and try to be innovative. Our main challenge is to simplify the demanding assembly process,” adds Mira.

A good tent is nice to look at, well-maintained and clean. The boys who assemble the tents are extremely flexible and this is a great advantage for the company. However, most important is the right atmosphere in the workplace, and the employees can verify that the atmosphere is right. “We have a young workforce under 40 years of age; however, they have been with us for 15 to 20 years, some from their student days. They helped establish our company and remained with us,” says Mira.

The company is part of the family

The family values of the company have often opened doors for them. “We are greatly appreciated abroad for being a family-run business. We always stay true to our word. Our main suppliers are also family businesses. We can get goods valued at one or two million euros without paying in advance – this is trust,” points out Mira. The connection between company and family is normal in the Petre family, for they are not burdened by their work. “We see the family business as positive, but it also brings a lot of challenges.We consider it to be our lifestyle. Regardless of the shortcomings the family business represents plenty of good and positive experiences. We are distinguished for our honesty, warm and patient relations and the active inclusion of all family members,” says Jože, describing the family commitment.

“Our desire for the future is that all co-workers, headed by my daughter, successfully continue with the work and that they will find it at least a bit easier to enjoy the fruits of our hard labor,” says Jože, who also adds that with their orientation toward development and care for a healthy environment, they are counting on state support. In the future they will continue to follow their motto – “for all eventualities and in all weather”. This is one of the reasons why they started manufacturing their own parts.