Inmold is a second-generation family company with almost 30 years of experience in manufacturing tools. They are planning to open plants, increase staff numbers and give them the training they need
The first man of the Inmold Group speaks to CorD Magazine about the beginnings of his company, which from the first day followed and anticipated customer demands, about how to join the five leading European tool-making companies, about new technologies and breakthroughs in the world’s most developed countries, about youth education serving the needs of the economy and Serbia’s revival – and he proudly announces that his descendants, all of them working for the family company, will quickly catch up and surpass him.
During all these decades you have been adapting to the needs of customers who want nothing but the best?
— Yes, that’s right. I always remember our beginnings and the dreadful situation in the former Yugoslavia. After graduating from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, I entered the world of tool-making and plastic parts manufacturing.
The demands of the market at that time and the demands of today are incomparable in both professional and financial terms. In the meantime, everything became bigger and more complex. As you say, we always followed the demands of the market, we tried to predict what the trend would be and to do everything necessary in advance to respond to the demands that were yet to come. We succeeded in that, that’s why we we are still here and are considered leaders in this field.
Are you satisfied with the position you occupy today?
— Yes indeed. For the last 30 years we have been moving towards it step by step and now we are among the top five European tool manufacturing companies. I am satisfied with what has been achieved, but I am aware that we must continue to invest in development to survive in increasingly challenging times. It is difficult to get to the position we are in, but it is an even greater challenge to stay there, to exist and continue.
While others look across borders, expecting foreigners to bring us new technologies, industry 4.0, robotics and AI, you at Inmold are exporting it. Has the future already begun for you?
— We produce and export the most sophisticated equipment in Serbia and enrich it with modern knowledge, while other industries import it from abroad.
This is why we are very proud, because in this way, besides our personal satisfaction, we feel that we are returning a debt to our country and to Požega, because this is where, besides our business, we also organize our private lives.
Your products reach five continents and countries all over the world. How do you conquer some of the most demanding markets where there is extremely strong competition? You entered the first league a long time ago…
— Quality is the first item that paves the way for sales on any market. After that comes our engagement in marketing, sales and good relations with customers and our care in solving customer’s problems in the best way.
It is important to us that everything is done in the best way in carrying out our work, that we show commitment and dedication to everything the customer requests
It is important to us that everything is done in the best way in carrying out our work, that we show commitment and dedication to everything the customer requests. It is also important that we provide good support after the work is completed so that the customer feels safe using our products and does not have the feeling that he is left to himself.
As the unofficial founders of dual education in the Zlatibor district, you are in an excellent position to evaluate the effects of educating young people in tune with the needs of industry… Is this the way to revive Serbia and manufacturing?
— I have nothing but praise for the activities that have been carried out in Serbia so far in dual education. Inmold has been in the world of dual education for 15 years. It is one of the most important ways to ensure the right staff for the complex work we do and one of the main generators of progress and development.
We are happy to share our experiences with Serbian companies, but also with companies in Europe. We recommend everyone to start activities in this area as soon as possible, because it is the most logical way to secure good staff. It takes patience and four years, or even nine if we want university-educated people, but it pays off many times over.
Your daughters Dušica and Nevena, and sons Slobodan and Dušan, young people educated abroad, see their future in their own country and in the family company. Can the second Janković generation surpass you?
— It is a great pleasure and success that my wife and I have attracted the children to return to Serbia, because they have all been educated abroad. They are all in Inmold and already doing responsible jobs. From conversations with colleagues from all over the world and Europe, I know that this is a rare case, so my wife and I are overjoyed. Our children are also doing well in their private lives, they are all married and grandchildren have started to arrive.
The work I have done so far is just the beginning. in future I expect, no, I am sure, that Inmold led by the second generation of owners will be even more successful, and be the pride of me, Požega, and Serbia. For now, we are definitely going that way.