Production in sawmill ŠIK Kopaonik renewed after two-year break

Lumber Industrial Combine (SIK) Kopaonik renewed the production in sawmill today (February 16, 2010) after two-year break.

The Acting Director in SIK Kopaonik, Spomenka Jakovljević, said to the press that the sawmill's lumber processing unit for furniture production had been put in operation thanks to the financial support of the Ministry of Economy and expert assistance of Simpo from Vranje.

- So far, 60 people have got their jobs back. Later, when all other units are put in operation, about 500 people will return to their positions - said she.

Jakovljević pointed out that it had been announced that the production in Kopaonik would be renewed in early March, but Simpo's experts had managed to get the sawmill ready for production earlier in association with Kopaonik's representatives.

According to her words, overhaul of existing machines and procurement of new ones that are necessary for production is planned in cooperation with Simpo.

- The plan is that production in the unit for parquet floor production starts soon, while fiberboard production is planned to start in few months, after complete reconstruction of the factory is done - said Jakovljević.

The workers of SIK Kopaonik were blocking Niš-Priština main route for two weeks in January. They demanded that the production in the unsuccessfully privatized factory be renewed.

After that, the Ministry of Economy found the strategic partner - Vranje-based Simpo, which took on the obligation to start production in the lumber combine.

According to the announcements by the Ministry of Economy, the plan is that between 8 and 10m EUR be set aside for the renewal of production in several Kopaonik's units.