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Marmor Hotavlje: Solid as a rock
Stone is so much more than just a building material and some of mankind’s grandest monuments have been created from it. Its properties are exceptional—it may be solid and sharp, soft and smooth, warm, snow-white or colorful, yet always magnificent, unique and timeless. It often requires significant expertise and surgical precision to transform, capabilities which are only attained by masters of their craft. Such people are to be found in the family company Marmor Hotavlje, which was founded in 1948, when the workshops at the foot of the Hotavlje quarry joined together.
However, the stonemasonry tradition in the region of Hotavlje began much earlier – 1721 is inscribed into one of its oldest stone portals. The knowledge, skills and genuine love for stone cutting and shaping have been passed down through generations of local stonemasons. The marble of Hotavlje, Hotaveljčan, characterized by its unique color variation, is the traditional home source and flagship product of the company, although their diverse projects now demand that they purchase a wide variety of stone worldwide.
By following a clear vision supported by hard work, Marmor Hotavlje, which commemorates its 70th anniversary this year, has established itself as one of the world’s leading stone processing companies. Today, over 150 employees are involved in the provision of comprehensive premium quality services – from the engineering team, technologists, architects and designers to the master stonemasons and other experts. “The people at Marmor Hotavlje are what makes the company different; we are at the core of everything we do. We operate as a strong and connected team in which we realise that every step is important for making a good finished product,” says Franc Branko Selak, Company Director.
The people at Marmor Hotavlje are what makes the company different; we are at the core of everything we do. We operate as a strong and connected team in which we realise that every step is important for making a good finished product.
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Chapter 1
Furnishing luxury construction projects with stone
"Our advantage lies in offering comprehensive services to our clients."
“Our advantage lies in offering comprehensive services to our clients—from the concept to the finished product. We make use of modern technology, which requires highly qualified co-workers. Despite all the technology, the skilful hands of a stonemason are irreplaceable. As a company, we take pride in achieving the perfect combination of both; all with a hint of development, new innovative solutions and approaches because we are aware that this is the only way to bring stone processing to perfection,” continues Branko’s son Damijan, an Executive Director.
“A strong team of technologists offer essential support to our master stonemasons, who develop the best solutions and provide a smooth workflow at all stages. Technologists are the link between the client and the contractor. Our projects are fully transparent; it’s very important that the client is involved in the work process at all stages of creation,” confirms Branko’s other son Tomaž, also an Executive Director.
The company uses stone to furnish mega yachts, luxury villas, hotels, plus other commercial and residential buildings, in the form of furniture, exclusive products and other works of art. “One of our important tasks is to restore and preserve cultural heritage,” adds Tomaž, who continues: “Performing stonemasonry work is difficult, especially on yachts, where specific limitations of space and weight apply. We use special techniques for our products that give the appearance of solid stone, but they are actually very light. We are conscious of our knowledge, experience and capabilities, and that is precisely why we focus on the most demanding projects.”
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Chapter 2
Reascending the Olympus of stonemasons
"We are a company with a high added value, working mostly on unique and demanding products."
“Soon, I’ll have been in this company for 50 years. I'm proud to say that we’ve transformed the once hard physical labor into an art. We are among the first in the world to have used a computer-controlled machine for stone processing, and we are also among the first in our profession to have begun forming serious connections abroad,” explains Franc. Different periods brought about different challenges and sometimes even ordeals. One of them happened not too long ago: “Due to the collapse of the construction market between 2008 and 2013, Marmor Hotavlje wrote off more than the annual turnover. In such a case, any company would close its doors, but not us. Not just as a company but also as a family, we knew that there was only one way and took upon ourselves a heavy burden.
All subcontractors were paid off, no salary payment in the company was ever missed and nobody lost their job. We had to start again from scratch,” the Selaks remember. This new beginning bore a new success: today, they are the leading company in the most challenging segments of stonemasonry; they have attained the status of a development company. They cooperate with renowned names from the world of trade, show business, design and architecture as well as the most prestigious furniture makers and artists.
“Our family has always lived with stone. We all know how to work, but we’re very different from each other. This has its advantages and drawbacks. But when we sat down at the table back then, we were always unified,” remembers Franc. “We know well enough that this company is one big family, where we stick together through thick and thin. It’s the owners’ job to make sure that the good times prevail,” adds Damijan proudly and goes on to say: “Focussing on the areas where our knowledge and experience are appreciated and for which the buyers are willing to pay was the right decision.”
Today, they say they are involved in projects the likes of which previously they could only dream about. No luxury vessels are built in Europe without Marmor Hotavlje having the chance to submit their tender. Since 2000, they have participated in over 100 mega yacht projects including the construction of the largest and most prestigious private yacht in the world, measuring 180m in length. Currently, they will be able to stay in business in this market niche at least until 2023. The company moved to the yacht equipment market and thus switched from the building industry to the area of engineering. “We are a company with a high added value, working mostly on unique and demanding products,” says Tomaž.
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Chapter 3
Cooperation and trust are key
All 150 employees in the company know each other by name
All 150 employees in the company know each other by name. They also bond with each other outside of the company, whether at sports or cultural events. “Our office is always open,” say the brothers and add that without the right people and their trust, they would not be able to carry out the essential projects. The employees are thus entrusted with extremely important projects which may sometimes be worth several million euros. “Presently, we have at least 10 major projects on which all teams must coordinate and work as one – this includes technology, sales, procurement, manufacture and assembly. We have a great duty and responsibility towards our employees. Based on our past experience, present tasks and future challenges, we have assembled a strong team in which every team member is crucial,” explains Tomaž.
Upon celebrating their 70th anniversary, clients from around the world paid them a visit. “That evening, at least 10 people came to me who told me that I didn’t even realise what we had, operating that kind of family business,” remembers Tomaž. However, running a family business is not easy because it is necessary to align business and family relations and at the same time find a way to unite people with different personalities to search for joint decisions. Even though they sometimes have different opinions about decisions, Tomaž and Damijan always appear before the employees as a resolute pair.
The ownership of the company is now in the hands of the father, Franc, mother, Ana, and sons, Damijan and Tomaž. Franc trusts his sons completely. Although he does not interfere with the company’s business, Franc is still very active as he is currently dealing with the challenges of subsidiaries in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. “There has been and will be plenty of challenges for all of us,” the Selaks confirm in agreement.
Ana, Damijan, Franc and Tomaž Selak, co-owners
Company name: Marmor Hotavlje, d. o. o.
Number of employees (2017): 150
Net sales revenues (2017): €12.5 million
Interviewees:
Franc Branko Selak, Director
Damijan Selak, Executive Director
Tomaž Selak, Executive Director
Summary
Marmor Hotavlje in five words: common goal, future, development, vision, cooperation.