40 years of the paper machine and 230 years of papermaking in Goričane

An important anniversary for one of the oldest paper mills in Slovenia and a tribute to the entrepreneurial courage that – 40 years ago − initiated the purchase of the paper machine, which is still in operation nowadays, and thus facilitated not only the survival but also the development of the highest quality paper grades in Goričane. The celebration was complemented by the people who were actually involved in this investment, and a short archival film showing the events of that time.

An important anniversary for one of the oldest paper mills in Slovenia and a tribute to the entrepreneurial courage that – 40 years ago − initiated the purchase of the paper machine, which is still in operation nowadays, and thus facilitated not only the survival but also the development of the highest quality paper grades in Goričane. The celebration was complemented by the people who were actually involved in this investment, and a short archival film showing the events of that time.

The main protagonist of the anniversary celebration is of course the paper machine that made it possible for Goričane to stay on the paper mill map. In 1976, Goričane bought the machine in partnership with the former Aero despite the competition’s disagreement and despite the concerns expressed by the experts who were sceptical about whether Goričane is able pull such an endeavour off at all. After all, since 1931 and up to that day, Goričane had been a producer of pulp only. Due to the unprofitable pulp production in Goričane, the papermaking tradition was in danger of extinction.

If Goričane was shut down, this would have not only compromised its employees and the local community of Medvode, it would have also meant the closure of one of the two paper mills that had been operating on Slovenian territory since the times of hand papermaking. The recently published book on the history of the paper mill, written by Darko Cafuta on behalf of Goričane, reveals the incredible wealth of technological and entrepreneurial accomplishments of Goričane papermakers ever since the year 1786.

In his opening speech, Mr. Andraž Stegu, the Managing Director of Papermill Goričane, emphasized the deep respect for the heritage on which Goričane can nowadays build the development of an entire range of speciality papers and business success in an extremely competitive global market. Since it was first installed, the main protagonist of the celebration, i.e. the paper machine, has of course undergone many upgrades and overhauls which now enable the cost efficient production of the highest quality papers; however, it is all based on what was set in the beginning. Mr. Stegu’s speech was followed by a film created specifically for this occasion, showing the most crucial moments in designing, constructing and starting the paper machine. The archival footage, commented by Mr. Darko Cafuta, represents an important monument to the entrepreneurial and technological development of Slovenia in the previous century.

The event was closed by Mr. Janez Gale, the Technical Director of Goričane, who pointed out that thanks to the well-established foundations in the past, the papermill is nowadays a highly specialized business organism that, despite the difficult economic situation, continues to create new jobs for chemists, mechanical engineers, machine operators and industrial mechanics, and provides its employees with training opportunities, considering that ever since the High School of Printing and Paper in Ljubljana was closed, the paper industry is battling a constant lack of properly trained and highly skilled production staff. Goričane has managed to fill this gap by applying a model of knowledge transfer from senior to junior employees, and by sending its employees to various training courses abroad.

The event was concluded with an expression of thanks to the people who helped install the machine 40 years ago and are still working at Goričane today.