At the 32nd Zagorje Economic Fair on September 12, 2024, the Entrepreneurial Center of Krapina-Zagorje County hosted an exceptionally significant event titled „Invest in Zagorje“. The program brought together leading representatives of numerous domestic and international companies that are already operating or planning to invest in Krapina-Zagorje County. Among the many participants, the company TT Cables from Široki Brijeg stood out, having made an important decision to invest in a new factory in Bedekovčina.
During a conversation with Marina Šaravanja, a representative of TT Cables, we learned that the decision to build the facility in Bedekovčina was the result of careful consideration of the strategic advantages of this location. „Zagorje has been recognized as an extremely favorable region for industrial investments, primarily due to its transport connections,“ said Šaravanja. The proximity of the highway and railway network, as well as the closeness to key markets, made Bedekovčina the perfect choice for the company, which currently produces low-voltage cables but plans to expand its product range to medium- and high-voltage cables (up to 220 kV in the first phase) at the new Bedekovčina facility.
The decision to invest in Bedekovčina was further supported by the quality assistance of local and regional authorities. Šaravanja particularly emphasized the significant role of local authorities in the process of realizing the investment, expressing gratitude to the mayor of the municipality of Bedekovčina, Mr. Darko Ban, and the prefect of Krapina-Zagorje County, Mr. Željko Kolar, for their support. „It is precisely due to the strong and proactive support of the local government that I would recommend this microlocation to both domestic and foreign investors,“ she stressed.
TT Cables, headquartered in Široki Brijeg, has been operating since 2008 and has built a reputation as a reliable partner in the industry over the past two decades. The company currently employs around 400 workers and operates 48 production lines, with business focused on exporting to more than 50 countries worldwide. In addition to this investment in Croatia, the company is in the process of expanding its facility in Široki Brijeg and building another new facility in North Macedonia.
The new factory in Bedekovčina will be of strategic importance not only for the local community but for the whole of Croatia, especially in the context of the green transition and the increasing demand for medium- and high-voltage power cables. Šaravanja highlighted that this investment represents an important step toward reducing dependence on external markets in this segment, thereby strengthening the energy security of the Republic of Croatia.
With its investment, TT Cables has demonstrated confidence in the workforce and industrial tradition of the Zagorje region. „Zagorje is known for hardworking and skilled people, and we are confident that we will find a high-quality workforce here. In the first phase, the number of employees is expected to be around 80, and we have no doubt that this collaboration will be mutually beneficial for both workers and employers, which will also stimulate additional economic growth for Croatia,“ concluded Šaravanja.
Along with TT Cables investment, Bedekovčina has also become a center of interest for other large companies. The mayor of Bedekovčina, Darko Ban, explained that other significant industrial initiatives have begun developing in the Poznanovec industrial zone. The Končar Institute has already purchased land and submitted a request for a building permit, while Siemens Energy, a company involved in transformer testing, has shown serious interest in purchasing land in the municipality.
The arrival of these strong companies represents immense potential for the development of Bedekovčina and the entire County, including new jobs for the local population. „The arrival of three strong Croatian companies in the Bedekovčina area means great potential for our municipality. These investments will provide employment for our residents as well as for people from surrounding municipalities,“ emphasized Mayor Ban.
To ensure all conditions for these investments are met, the Municipality of Bedekovčina has made the decision to amend the Spatial Plan and repeal the old Urban Development Plan for the Bedekovčina and Poznanovec industrial zones, which no longer aligns with current economic needs. The new plan will provide better conditions for economic development and enable the faster realization of ongoing investments.
Through their investments and decisions, TT Cables, along with the Končar Institute and Siemens Energy, confirm the importance of Zagorje as a region with great potential for industrial and economic growth. These investments not only contribute to the growth of the local community but also represent strategic moves that strengthen Croatia’s economic and energy independence.
