On 6th of March 2025, at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre, we prepared a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the founding and operation of the Wood Industry Cluster as part of the Slovenian Wood Industry Day.

We recalled the background of the establishment of the then Development Center for Wood Industry, the transition to the Wood Industry Cluster and the years of successful operation as part of the industry support. In doing so, we have woven an extensive network of cooperation with cluster member companies, foreign related organisations and domestic institutions such as the Directorate for Wood Industry at the Ministry of Economic, Tourism and Sport, SPIRIT Slovenia, a public agency, the Department of Wood Science and technology at the University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, the Faculty of Design and many others.

Of particular importance is the cooperation with the Association of the Wood processing and Furniture Industry at the Chamber of Commerce ad Industry of Slovenia, with which we have developed a unique business model of cooperation that brings the greatest effects for the industry. Among the greatest achievements of this connection is the initiative that resulted in the establishment of the Directorate for Wood Industry.

All these years, the cluster has had to demonstrate hard work and thoughtful leadership in these very turbulent times, a transitional period for the industry. We could not have done this without a focus on people, relationships, mutual understanding and trust.

You can watch a video of the celebration HERE, and a brochure HERE.

CELEBRATION PROGRAM

The formation and first years of the cluster’s operation

• Dr. Jože Korber, former director of the Wood Industry Association at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia.

Video speeches;

• Franci Zupanc, former director of Alples and former president of the Council of the Wood Industry Cluster

• Alojz Burja, former director of LIP Bled and former president of the Board of Directors of  the Association of Wood and Furniture Industry at the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Musical performance, Jelena Ždrale

Cluster growth into a stable part of the woody industry supporting ecosystem

• Igor Milavec, Director of the Wood Industry Cluster and the Association of Wood and Furniture Industry at Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia.

Video speeches;

• Dr. Milan Šernek, professor at the Department of Wood Science, and Technology at the University of Ljubljana and former president of the Council of the Wood Industry Cluster.

• Dr. Miha Humar, professor at the Department of Wood Science and Technology, University of Ljubljana

Musical performance, Jelena Ždrale

The Wood Industry Cluster now and in the future

• Darko Sajko, General Director of the Directorate for Wood Industry at the Ministry of Economic, Tourism and Sport

• Višnja Koščak, Holzcluster Steiermark, Austria

Video speeches;

• Maks Merela, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Wood Science and Technology, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty

• Prof. Nada Rožmanec Matičič, Dean of the Faculty of Design, an independent higher education institution

• Primož Lušina, Director of Alples and President of the Council of the Wood Industry Cluster

Musical performance, Jelena Ždrale

Award ceremony

• The awards were received by: the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport and SPIRIT Slovenia, a public agency, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, the Department of Wood Science and Technology at the University of Ljubljana, the Faculty of Design.

Cake and champagne

Moderation the celebration; Marjana Grčman