Dalibor Vrdoljak returned to Livno after spending most of his youth in Germany.
Dalibor Vrdoljak returned to Livno after spending most of his youth in Germany. Three decades after leaving, he decided to build his future in the Livno region, where he found new prospects. In Komorani near Livno, the company Proton Montaža, of which he is the director, is building a modern plant for the production and prefabrication of metal components for the European market.
“I spent my entire youth in the field. I have been working since 1994, and in 2007 I accidentally connected with Sascha Giesler, the owner of Proton Energie GmbH in Germany, which has an important influence in the European industry through high-standard projects in engineering, welding, pipeline installation and industrial services. Sascha is also originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina. He gave me the opportunity and we have been on this journey together ever since. We have worked across Europe on large projects – from prefabrication to installation of pipelines and steel structures. We have become a true leader and a trusted company,” Dalibor recounts.
With more than 300 employees, the company has implemented projects in Norway, Germany, France, Switzerland and Finland, including plant modernization, gas meter construction and maintenance and servicing of key equipment. When Dalibor returned to Livno, Sasha offered him the opportunity to start a business in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The story took its course. We started modestly, but we soon realized that Bosnia and Herzegovina could become a base for the prefabrication of components and the training of new personnel. We wanted to create opportunities for work and development at home, so that people would choose to stay in this country,” adds Dalibor.
With the support of the USAID Diaspora Invest project, Proton Montaža has begun construction of a modern facility that will enable increased capacity and the implementation of complex projects, and with the purchase of a double crane with a capacity of 15 tons, which is also financed through this program, Proton Montaža will significantly improve its production capabilities.
“Our people are already working on large projects. In Norway, for ISAR Aerospace, they performed the mechanical installation of the launch pad and station for the Spectrum rocket, including the assembly of pipelines and components. Imagine, Livnjaci is installing a rocket ramp that could revolutionize space travel. In Germany, they installed a hydrogen production plant in Pfeffenhausen, and pipelines in Offenbach and Biblis. In Finland, they worked for Siemens at the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant,” says Dalibor.
Today, Proton Montaža provides industrial maintenance services in large facilities, including refineries, power plants and waste-to-energy plants across Europe and employs a highly qualified team of 40 workers. They are currently working on projects in Belgium, Germany, Austria and Finland, and have recently expanded their activities to Norway.
“When you have a result, you have no competition. It is important that we work with the new generation and show that opportunities can be created here as well. We have to work with education to ensure a qualified workforce for the future, because I believe we can only grow,” adds Dalibor.
Andrija, Željka, Martina and Renata work in the office in the center of Livno. They coordinate and communicate with the sister company in Germany and the workers in the field. They all share the same goal – to build the future in Livno. This city, in cooperation with USAID, has also developed a joint local grant program, wanting to make stories like this even more.
“Proton Montaža is now becoming a center for the prefabrication of components for the European market, with an expansion plan until 2025. The new facility in Livno will increase the volume of exports and enable participation in even more ambitious projects. If the launch of the Spectrum rocket is successful, Livno residents will be part of the big story of sustainable space travel ,” Dalibor concludes.
Source: akta.ba
