Career Day is an unique opportunity for students to get better acquainted and present themselves to companies that cooperate with the Faculty of Economics in Split. AD Plastik has been participating in the Career Days for many years as a member of the faculty teaching base, and this year too interested students had the opportunity to get better acquainted with the company’s business, organizational structure, job positions and opportunities for doing internships in the company.

We celebrated ADP Day in an appropriate manner with a special emphasis on communication and health. A conversational meeting with the Management Board was held in Solin and Zagreb, and employees were provided with fruit stations and a special gift. As Earth Day is also celebrated on the same day, we are additionally motivated to promote the preservation of health and care for the environment.

Students of the Faculty of Economics in Split have visited the factory of AD Plastik Group in Solin, accompanied by professor Dragana Grubišić and two members of the EFST Alumni. During the tour of the plant, heads of quality and production departments Petar Šolić and Ante Vučić introduced the students to the work of AD Plastik and the quality control processes and procedures. After the tour, the production planning manager Vesna Jogunić, using practical examples, illustrated production planning and scheduling as well as inventory management  to the students. During the visit, the students expressed interest in writing papers and professional practice in AD Plastik, thus continuing  the collaboration and sharing of knowledge with students.

The business results of AD Plastik Group for the first quarter of 2022 have been published, period marked by the effects of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis. The Group’s operating revenue decreased by 23 percent compared to the same period of 2021 and amounted to HRK 251.8 million. EBITDA amounted to HRK 24.7 million and was lower by 52.9 percent, while net profit was lower by 97.9 percent and amounted to HRK 0.6 million.

“Challenges related to the lack of semiconductors have continued in this year too, and new circumstances and challenges directly affect the realization of our factories in Russia. Car manufacturers in that market have stopped their production activities and, although our factories are ready to resume production, at the moment it is impossible to accurately predict when production in Russia will restart. At the same time our European factories have been working according to plans even though, due to the lack of semiconductors, production capacities of some customers are still somewhat reduced”, said Marinko Došen, President of the Management Board of AD Plastik Group.

Despite the uncertainties and very demanding circumstances in the market, development activities of car manufactures have been running unhindered, with the expected disruptions in the Russian market. A good indicator in the European market are very intensive commercial activities too, which is also supported by the new deals of the AD Plastik Group worth EUR 91.7 million sealed in the first three months of 2022, of which 73.6 million in the EU market.

“Our primary task in the upcoming period is to preserve financial stability as well as business sustainability and reduce negative impacts. We are focused on the realization of existing projects and expanding the portfolio of development and production projects, in order to strengthen our position as a development supplier in the European market. We have been intensively monitoring the evolving situation and are ready for various scenarios, depending on its further development and circumstances. We are aware that there is a very demanding period ahead, but we are also sure that we will once again show and confirm our resilience and proceed to conduct stable business in the long run”, said Marinko Došen.

AD Plastik Group has published the Integrated Annual Report for 2021, which contains all relevant information on the company’s activities and business operations, audited financial statements and sustainability indicators according to GRI standards.

The Group’s operating revenue for 2021 amounted to HRK 1.1 billion and was by 7.6 percent lower than a year earlier. EBITDA amounted to HRK 125.3 million and was lower by 24.5 percent, while net profit amounted to HRK 32.7 million and was lower by 30.3 percent.

“Although the very beginning of the year had positive signs and indicated a market recovery, the global crisis of the lack of semiconductors has significantly affected the sales of new cars. Namely, due to the crisis, car manufacturers failed to meet the needs of the market and deliver the required quantities. Disruptions in production processes have affected the entire supply chain, including our business too. Unlike production, sales and project activities have been proceeding unhindered, so in 2021 we sealed new deals worth more than EUR 150 million. We have also sealed deals on several very important development projects, thus strengthening our position as a development supplier,” said Marinko Došen, President of the Management Board of AD Plastik Group.

In addition to disruptions in the supply chain, last year was marked also by a significant increase in the prices of materials, raw materials, transport and energy sources. By open price calculation and alignment with most of its customers, the impact on Group’s business has been reduced. Reduced production and lack of vehicles have affected the expected trends in the number of newly registered cars, while the development activities of car manufacturers are in full swing.

Despite all the challenges in the market, AD Plastik Group continuously meets very high standards of sustainability in all aspects of its business. Corporate social responsibility is one of the basic determinants by which the company is guided in the development of its strategy, policies, plans and activities. Continuous development and improvement of corporate culture and raising quality standards in all business segments are a common business model. Despite an extremely demanding and challenging year, communication with key stakeholders was regular and with no interruptions. The care for employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders has not been neglected at any time and improvements have been continuously worked on.

The non-financial part of the fifth Integrated Report of the AD Plastik Group has been verified by HR BCSD, whose opinion, among other things, states: ” The first part of the Integrated Report pointed to successful business operations in turbulent times and a stable organization that has been successfully adapting to changes in market conditions. In the second part of the report, AD Plastik Group showed us how it manages its impacts in terms of sustainability topics, how it determines their materiality and how it plans new improvements in the next business year based on monitoring and measurements. This report shows progress, both in reporting practices as well as in the practices of managing material impacts in the field of sustainability. A lot of effort invested in reducing negative impacts and progress regarding almost all material topics is visible. We hope that this trend in the AD Plastik Group will continue.”

In addition to the abovementioned challenges that are continued also in this year, the global economy has been facing a new crisis and uncertainties it brings.

“During the preparation of this report we have been facing another unexpected situation. The Russian-Ukrainian crisis is a new challenge for the global economy and our business. Given the uncertainties, we are aware of another very difficult and challenging period ahead. We are primarily focused on preserving financial stability and business sustainability, and reducing negative impacts on business. At the same time, we have been sealing new deals in the European market, realizing contracted projects and continuing development activities. Despite the uncertainties, we are confident in the survival and long-term development of AD Plastik Group”, said Marinko Došen.

Sales Director for the EU and other markets Toni Štambuk gave a guest lecture at the Faculty of Economics in Split. The lecture on Business Communication in Foreign Trade – the example of the company AD Plastik, held as part of the course Foreign Trade Business, attracted the attention of students who were particularly interested in examples and advice from practice. The same lecture was held digitally for students of the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb.

The Management Board of AD Plastik Group has signed a new Collective Agreement for 2022, pursuant to which the existing social and material rights of employees of AD Plastik d.d. have been retained at a high level. The agreement has been concluded for a period of one year and applies to all employees in Croatia.

Employees are undoubtedly the most important stakeholders of the company and the basic premise of its successful development, and in exceptionally challenging circumstances, additional mutual understanding and responsibility have been shown.

As part of the sixteenth Convention of Croatian Exporters, the Golden Key awards ceremony for the best Croatian exporters was held. This year too AD Plastik received the Golden Key award in the category The Best Exporter to Slovenia in 2020, and was nominated in two other categories, namely in the category The Best Exporter to Romania and in the category The Most Innovative Exporter.

The award was received on behalf of the company by the Finance Director Josip Divić, who stated on that occasion: “It is a great pleasure and honor for me to receive this award, especially because it is awarded for our results in quite difficult times. This award is the result of teamwork and that is why I thank first and foremost all the employees of our company for their dedication and contribution in these challenging circumstances. I would also like to thank our long-term partner, the company Revoz, which recognizes our values, quality and reliability. Although we are witnessing numerous challenges in the market, we are optimistic about the years ahead and we expect the continuation of our strong exports to Slovenia, but also an increase in exports to other European countries.”

The just published financial results of AD Plastik Group for the first quarter of 2021 are expected and they confirm the financial stability and profitability of the company in the very demanding and challenging circumstances of the corona crisis.

Operating revenue amounted to HRK 327.21 million, EBITDA amounted to HRK 52.32 million, and net profit amounted to HRK 25.84 million at the Group level.

All indicators decreased compared to the first quarter of last year, but it should be noted that the company in the first quarter of 2020 continued to record revenue growth, despite the onset of the pandemic and a significant decline in the automotive market.

“In the first two months of 2020, our factories achieved record results, and the beginning of the pandemic and the consequences it caused unexpectedly changed the situation. Nevertheless, we ended the first quarter of 2020 with revenue growth, which was also contributed by one-time positive impacts in that period, so we can say that this was almost the last pre-pandemic reporting period. Although the automotive industry, like the global economy as a whole, has been facing a number of challenges and uncertainties, moderate positive market indicators are evident. Our risk management strategy through market dispersion has proven to be effective, which is evident also in our results. The Russian car market was the least affected by the crisis, so our factories in Russia recorded revenue growth of 15.5 percent in this period,” said the President of the Management Board of AD Plastik Group, Marinko Došen.

The markets in which the company operates show signs of a moderate recovery regarding the number of newly registered vehicles, which was evident in the results of the previous quarter, although the production of new vehicles in the European market has been somewhat slowed due to the shortages of semiconductors. Like the global economy as a whole, the automotive industry has been facing the consequences of the crisis, and market stabilization is expected in the second half of the year. The price of the ADPL share increased by 13.8 percent in the first quarter, compared to the end of last year, and a dividend from retained earnings of HRK 8 was paid in March.

“We have preserved financial stability, which allows us to deal more easily with the consequences of the crisis, and in addition to protecting the health and safety of employees, this is our primary goal also in the coming period. We monitor trends and influences in the market and adequately adapt to them, and we have strengthened our position as a quality and reliable partner. We continue our development and sales activities uninterruptedly, and 43 previously contracted projects in the European and Russian markets are currently ongoing. New deals are also being sealed, by which our portfolio of future deals offers a stable and secure perspective. We have adapted our plans to the circumstances, so our goals for 2021 are more conservative, but I believe they are achievable,” said Marinko Došen.

The Integrated Annual Report of the AD Plastik Group for 2020 has been published, containing relevant information on the company’s activities and business operations, revised financial results and sustainability indicators according to GRI standards.

The Group’s operating revenue amounted to HRK 1.2 billion and recorded a decrease of 20.9 percent compared to the record 2019. This is a consequence of the impact of the crisis, but the results achieved are better than the first predictions at the beginning of the pandemic. The Group’s EBITDA amounted to HRK 165.9 million and recorded a decrease by 16 percent. Serial production of new vehicle models started in 2019 and the sale of non-operating assets had a positive impact on EBITDA. Net profit of HRK 46.9 million was generated, and net financial debt was reduced by HRK 104.6 million.

“The past year was marked by pandemic that caused a global crisis in all segments, so it also affected the business of our company. Despite the very demanding circumstances and challenges, we are satisfied with the results achieved and they are still above the original predictions announced at the beginning of the pandemic. Like most industries, the automotive industry has been severely affected by the crisis, but the development of new vehicle models and plans for the future have not been stopped at any point. This fact is supported by the EUR 130.6 million of new deals selaed in the past year,” said Marinko Došen, President of the Management Board of AD Plastik Group.

AD Plastik Group meets very high standards of sustainability in economic, but also social and environmental topics that are incorporated into all elements and processes of business and management. In the past year, special emphasis was placed on protecting the health and safety of employees, but also on preserving job positions. At the same time, other indicators of sustainable business were applied and improved, which was a special challenge given the circumstances and structure of the company.

The non-financial part of the fourth in a row  Integrated Report of AD Plastik Group has been verified by HR BCSD, whose opinion, among other things, states: “AD Plastik Group is an example of a business organization with many years of application of social responsibility and focus on sustainable development, and we believe that namely this strategic commitment has brought benefits in crisis situations, and enabled rapid adjustment and recovery. The Integrated Report for 2020 has again met expectations, both from the point of view of the exhaustiveness of the content as well as from the point of view of year-over-year-growth in relation with clarity and transparency of presentation of indicators and other supporting information. The report illustrates quality and responsibility that is in line with the reputation of the company which is a leading manufacturer of components for the automotive industry in this part of Europe.“

Based on market indicators in the last quarter of 2020, which gave reasons for moderate optimism, the report also includes the company’s targets for 2021, which indicate a slight increase in operating revenue.

“In the circumstances in which we operate, caution is necessary because the pandemic is still ongoing and its course is affecting the overall economic picture. Although the number of newly registered vehicles is expected to grow in the markets where we operate, our plans are more conservative, but we believe they are also achievable. It will take some time for the market to fully stabilize and return to pre-crisis figures, but signs of recovery are gradually emerging. In the most difficult moments, we have shown the necessary knowledge, competencies and quality, and I believe that we have justified the trust of our stakeholders, and we will continue to move on in this direction in the future,” said Marinko Došen.