Blaj Fasteners (Anton Blaj d. o. o.)

Ingenious beginnings

In 1966, the founder of the company, Anton Blaj, an electrical engineer by profession, started to manufacture screws and bolts. According to him, one day after work, he simply contacted the director of the company where he was employed and told him that he was “going solo.” “I leased a small space from the parish priest, set up a workshop and that’s how the whole thing started,” recalls Anton. The beginnings were anything but simple, since in those times the state severely restricted employment. Eventually, as the business boomed, they needed to expand their workforce and the Blaj family found their own solution. “Myself, my brother, my wife, our son and daughter each registered five manufacturing crafts, in order to be able to hire five people each or 25 in total, while keeping separate books of accounts for each individual craft registered. In the end, this solution paid off and at that time I was the largest taxpayer in our valley,” proudly explains the ingenious founder. In 1985, they built a manufacturing plant in Griže that is still used to this day. At the time, the law enabled companies to invest 40% of their profits, while an additional 20% was contributed by the municipality. Development did not lag behind, although according to Anton, different rules applied at the time.

Exports account for 95% of production

Over the years, Anton has learned that there is always potential for further improvement and he has always strived to prove himself. “Not for the sake of becoming rich, but to show that I can achieve something. This is what motivated me,” he stresses. His brother-in-law, a mechanical engineer by profession, first proposed a move toward computer technology. The transition to computer-controlled production was made after Slovenia became independent, when they first began to pursue business abroad. “We made our first contacts with foreign markets in 1994 and from then on transferred our efforts exclusively to exports, which remain our focus. I have always wanted to employ well-qualified staff, as this is the only way to compete with foreign companies. I also wanted to prove to the world that we were equal to them. Manufacturing top-quality screws and bolts is much more important recognition for me than payment,” says Anton.

Their first foreign partner was the powerful wholesaler, Böllhoff in Germany. ”They were my first connection to foreign business,” describes Anton of their first steps outside Slovenia. Today, they have no domestic competitors and stand side-by-side with large German companies. According to Anton’s daughter Petra, the current Director of the company, as much as 95% of profits are generated by exports. “In Slovenia, we are mostly involved in  repair and overhaul, and almost our entire production is intended for the European market, 

The company is in the safe hands of a wider family

The Blaj company is synonymous with the family, since almost all members of the wider family are involved in running it. “My son Erih was involved in the company’s beginnings, while today both my daughters Blanka and Petra also work here, as do my son-in-law Damjan, who is Head of the Commercial Department, my daughter-in-law Justina and granddaughter Patricija. We are truly a family business,” proudly confirms Anton.

His daughter Petra, Master of Economics, has always been interested in the family business: “I have always wondered and found it intriguing to see how I could transfer the range of knowledge I have acquired over the years, to our company; but it was not easy. After completing my studies, I started to work in the finance department, while also continuing to attend further education, and training to promote the company’s growth and development. In 2014, after the transformation of the company, I assumed the position of Director; however, I continue to consult my father on key decisions.”

Blanka, who works in sales, joined the company in 1985. “It was my first job. I joined the company after finishing school, and have since grown along with it. The family never talked about employment, as this happened naturally. When you set up a company you do not know whether it will develop into a family business or not.  It’s mostly due to a set of circumstances and hard work that help you create something that will provide work for children, grandchildren and future generations,” says Blanka, sharing her thoughts.

Bolts, screws and family are ties for life

According to the Blaj family, the main advantage of their type of business is that family members commit to it completely. “You have to love the screws and bolts,” remembers Anton of the advice given to him by Bollhof, their business partner and adds: “When you look at it, it must be flawless. You can make a top-quality product if you put your heart into it.”

The long-term safety of machinery operating with Blaj fasteners is essential and demands perfection in the production of screws and bolts. In cooperation with SPIRIT Slovenia1, the company has proactively designed a sustainable development strategy, encompassing the ambition and commitment of the owners, management and key company experts in order to achieve unified and sustainable success. “This is what makes us successful: because everyone in the company knows, feels and is aware of this,” explains Petra of their commitment to sustainable development and the pursuit of continual improvement and quality.

Customers recognize their passion for screws and bolts and turn to them not only for production of the fasteners, but also for assistance with  development. “Everyone in our company has a role where he or she can demonstrate their passion for work, achieve results and be rewarded. The connection between family and non-family members, professionalism and reliability, agility and rapid response to the needs of the market, are extremely important to us. It was my father who in fact built this strong infrastructure,” explains Petra, adding that she inherited her father’s philosophy of aiming for continuous improvement, as well as his passion for growth and development. “I’m happiest when we acquire a new customer or make a new product; when I see that after we have invested resources, time and effort in developing our solutions, they bring results,” says Petra, her eyes glowing with pride.