KOTO over time

On June 19, 1947, the company KOTEKS was founded, the predecessor of today’s KOTO Company. The company’s rich history testifies to its continuous search for new business opportunities, ensuring its development and survival even during the most turbulent periods.

Our Beginnings

The company KOTEKS began its export activity of finished products and pig leather in 1947, with pig leather being its main export product. In 1952, the company expanded its activities to include the collection of slaughterhouse waste, and two years later, an export-import company named Tobus was established to promote the leather industry’s exports. At the end of 1961, both companies merged into one, forming Koteks Tobus.

In 1966, a facility for processing animal by-products was built in Zalog, and a year later, the first boutique in the country, offering high-quality fashion leather products, was opened in the center of Ljubljana. The boutique was considered one of the most prestigious in Ljubljana and was even visited by Jovanka Broz. Koteks Tobus was well-known at that time for its high-quality leather products, which were successfully exported abroad. Consequently, in 1974, we became one of the largest Slovenian exporters.

In the 1970s, a legendary commercial “Koža je za KOTO” (“Leather is for KOTO”) was also broadcasted on television, and many still remember it today.

Environmental Care and Ecological Awareness

In 1984, we were the second company in Europe to construct and establish a biofilter. This operates on the principle of mechanically removing particulate matter from polluted air and biologically degrading compounds that cause unpleasant odors.

As one of the first companies in Slovenia, we obtained an environmental management system certification in 1999, confirming that our operations comply with the requirements of the environmental standard ISO 14001. In 2006, we also received the ISO 9001:2000 certification. The year before, we built a biological wastewater treatment plant to purify wastewater generated from various industrial processes before discharging it into the public sewer system. In 2010, we started processing biodegradable sludge from municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants.

In 2008, we launched a biogas plant and began producing green energy. The biogas production enables us to cover 80% of our electricity needs.

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Obtaining the concession.

Since the year 2000, we have been acting as a concessionaire for the provision of economic public services for the management of slaughterhouse waste and infectious animal by-products. This was one of the first concessions signed in Slovenia. In 2006, we also opened a new facility for separate processing of category 3 animal by-products.

History

2014

Construction of an Algae Cultivation Demonstration Center.

2010

Change of legal form of the joint-stock company KOTO d. d. to a limited liability company - KOTO d. o. o.

2010

Acquisition of a Single Environmental Permit.

2007

Initiation of the biogas facility and commencement of electricity production from renewable sources.

2006

Acquisition of ISO 9001:2000 certification.

2006

Construction of a facility for the separate processing of Category 3 animal by-products.

2005

Construction of a facility for separate processing of category 3 animal by-products.

2004

Relocation of the entire company to a location in Zalog.

2000

Since May 2000, KOTO has been acting as a concessionaire for the provision of economic public services for the management of slaughterhouse waste and infectious animal by-products.

1999

Acquisition of ISO 14001 certification.

1996

KOTO is organized as a joint-stock company.

1989

Since July 1, 1989, the company has been operating as a unified social enterprise.

1987

Completion of the reconstruction of the protein concentrate factory in Zalog.

1974

Merger of companies KOTO and INDE Vransko.

1974

With $20 million in exports, the company was ranked among the largest exporters in Slovenia.

1973

Establishment of TOZD KOPROD for manufacturing activities and TOZD KOTRADE for trading activities, as well as a working community for shared services.

1967

Opening of a boutique on Miklošičeva Street in Ljubljana.

1966

Construction of the protein concentrate factory in Zalog.

1961

On December 28, 1961, the merger of companies Koteks and Tobus resulted in the establishment of KOTEKS-TOBUS.

1956

The transition of the company Tobus into an import department of Koteks.

1954

Registration of the import-export company TOBUS.

1952

Commencement of collecting slaughterhouse waste.

1947

Commencement of the export activity of finished products and pig leather as the main export product.

1947

On June 19, 1947, the establishment of the company KOTEKS took place, as the successor to the Republican Directorate of the federal company Koteks for the trade of leather and textiles.