nir-vana innovation network

The Slovenian small family business, located in the Vipava Valley, which has been known for its viticultural and winemaking tradition for several centuries, was founded in 1994, and started the production of stainless steel tanks for winemaking and viticulture.

First, the company started producing simple products such as smaller wine tanks. Over time, they expanded the production and added new products to the range of products they offer today.

Today, the company specializes in the production and manufacture of top quality wine-making equipment made of stainless steel (food-safe). They pay special attention to the quality of materials used and welding processes with the Tig technology. The products are made of high quality stainless steel AISI 304 (W.nr.1.4301).

The company offers a wide range of different stainless steel products for winemaking and cellaring, such as:
- tanks (open type tanks, oval tanks, rectangular tanks) of different quantities from 170 to 3200 l;
- storage tanks - different quantities from 500 to 11000 l;
- transportation tanks of different volumes from 500 to 3200 l;
- wineficators (horizontal or vertical ones) of different volumes from 1500 to 11000 l;
- mobile pneumatic presses;
- cooling plates - intended for installation in the wine tanks during fermentation;
- other custom-made products.

The use of stainless steel products is intended for the production, processing, storage and transport of liquid foods, especially for wine, but can be also applicable for juice, oil, brandy and honey.

More than 80% of their products are exported to foreign markets, mainly to Germany, Italy and France.

The company offers the possibility of cooperation to foreign companies with the aim of producing finished products on the basis of a manufacturing agreement. Furthermore they are looking for sales/marketing agents to market their products in foreign markets (mainly Italy, Austria, Germany, France, Switzerland) under commercial agency agreement.

Advantages & innovations

The advantages of the Slovenian company and their products are mainly in: - very good ratio between quality and price of the products compared to producers from Western European countries, where due to the higher price of labor, the final price of the product is higher; - use of the highest quality materials for the production of stainless steel products (AISI 304); - good logistical support and fast motorway connection between the company's location and potential customers (especially for neighbour countries Italy and Austria); - flexibility in the production of custom-made products according to the wishes of the customer as well as the company can satisfy the customer with large-scale production of standard products, despite the fact that it is a small company.

Stage of development

Already on the market

Partner sought

The company is looking for small, medium-sized or large companies (cooperative or private wine cellars, wine-producing family companies, companies that market stainless steel wine equipment) that need production services for the production of finished wine-making / cellar stainless steel products. Their role will be to order the manufacture and purchase of products for their use or for further marketing and sale. The company is also looking for commercial agents to market and sell their products to the end customers. Their role will be to promote and market the finished products to potential buyers and to conclude purchase contracts.