Just a few kilometres from the city of Varaždin is one of the company’s largest and most important factories. The plant is a centre of expertise and excellence for all aspects of the development and production of hosiery items, and deals with the sewing, dyeing, screen printing and packaging of products. The dyeing department is able to treat both natural and synthetic fibres, thanks to the outstanding adaptability and excellent quality of its modern machinery.
Of the 744 employees at the factory, approximately 85% are women and there are 3 expatriates. The small number of expatriates reflects a deliberate commitment to offering local employees significant opportunities for personal and professional growth, as well as greater responsibilities, in line with the company’s principle of collaboration and investment in the local area. Growth opportunities are also supported by the free training programs offered to all employees, with foreign language courses being particularly appreciated. Free transportation services are provided to reach the factory.
The company’s decision to establish its own factories rather than using the services of third parties means that closer attention is paid to the quality of the work, and above all a commitment to the local community. For this reason, every year, Ytres donates off-cuts to local communities for the production of ornamental accessories and collaborates with schools in the area, encouraging students to get involved and offering them career opportunities. In addition, during 2020, Ytres worked with hospitals, the Red Cross and the fire-fighting services to produce and distribute more than 650,000 face masks donated to the local communities.
Given its importance, Ytres is often taken as a model in terms of innovation, offering an opportunity to guide the other factories on the road to compliance with the top environmental standards concerning production processes. The plant purchases 100% renewable energy, and thanks to this policy, approx. 2.3 tonnes of CO2e emissions were avoided in 2024. In 2019, more than € 8.5 million was invested for the installation of a purification plant that made it possible to increase the daily volume of purified water from 100 to 2,500 cubic metres. The sludge, the waste from the purified water, is also dried and re-used for the production of asphalt. Lastly, a method is being studied in the factory for the re-use of purified water in the dyeing processes, which would allow for a reduction in overall water consumption.
The people who work for us have always been our most valuable resource, and no presentation of our factories would be complete without a word from them. Here are the stories of those who produce our items every day:
