One of the world’s oldest barrel manufacturers starts production in Croatia

(Photo: Pixabay)

This month the oldest and most famous Italian manufacturer of barrels moved part of its production to Croatia. 

Italian barrel makers Garbelloto, who have a 243-year tradition, have purchased Croatian wood manufacturing firm Klik Par in Kutina. 

The production of wine barrels for Croatia and for markets in south-east Europe will be done from the Kutina plant, making it the first place in Croatia to produce top-class barrels. 

“We have invested 1.5 million euros in purchasing Klik Par and for the adaptation of the mill. We plan to invest the same amount next year when the number of employees increases from 11 to more than 20,” CEO Piero Garbelloto said at the opening of the new barrel mill in Kutina.  

(Photo: Garbelloto)

Garbelloto has long recognised the quality of raw wood materials in Croatia, especially Slavonian oak, and that is why he selected Kutina as their headquarters for the whole of Eastern Europe and the place where the best quality Slavonian oak will be turned into premium wine barrels, Jutarnji writes. 

Marijan Kavran, director of the Croatian Wood Cluster, pointed out at the opening of the new barrel mill that the Italian investment is very welcome as it is an indicator of the direction that the wood industry should be going in where logs are not sold but they are processed in Croatia into a top quality a product that has a secured market all over the world.