Podravka

Podravka d.d.is a Croatian food company based inKoprivnica. Founded in 1934, today it is one of the largest food companies in Southeast Europe.
The brothers Marijan and Matija Wolf founded the company on 14 June 1934. At the time, the firm was a fruit factory. When thecommunistsunderTitotook power in 1947 the company wasnationalizedand received its current name.
In 1949, Podravka started producing fruit jam. In 1952 new products were released on the market: once a fruit factory Podravka now started producing candy,mustard,ketchup,fruit brandyandcannedmeat. The production ofinstant soupsstarted in 1957. Theroosteron the chicken soup became a symbol inYugoslavia.
In 1959 Vegeta was released. Today, thecondimentis sold in more than 40 countries.
In 1967, Podravka had its first cooperation with international companies and exported Vegeta toHungaryand theSoviet Unionfor the first time. After founding the subsidiary Belupo in 1972 Podravka started producing pharmaceuticals inLudbregand starting 1981 in Danica as well.
After Croatia regainedindependence, Podravka wasprivatizedin 1993 and transformed into a stock company. The trade of Podravka shares at theZagreb Stock Exchangestarted in 1998. With the 130 million euros gained from the stock market launch, three new factories were built.
In 2000 new production sites in Koprivnica andPolandwere opened for Vegeta.In the same year Podravka took over the exclusive sale ofBarillaproducts in Polandand one year later the exclusive sale forKrašin Hungary.In honour ofZlata Bartl, who was responsible for the development of Vegeta in 1959, the company created theZlata-Bartl-Foundationin 2001.
Podravka took overItal-Iceand the Czech companyLagrisin 2002. That same year Podravka signed partnership agreements withNestlé,HeinzandUnileverand transformed the pharmaceutical subsidiary Belupo into a stock company.
In 2003, Podravka opened a new manufactory in the industrial zone of Danica. Three years later, it took over the brandEVA.
In 2007, Podravka acquired the companiesWarzywkoandPerfektin Poland andLeroin Croatia. That same year, theVienna Stock Exchangeadded Podravka to the CROX-Index.Podravka signed amerchandisingagreement withParamount Picturesin 2008.That same year it took over the brandsČokolešnikandČoko.
In 2009 a financial scandal led to the arrest of several board members under charges of corruption35 million Euros in company funds was secretly channeled in an attempt to acquire a large stake in Podravka. The Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and former Podravka supervisory board memberDamir Polančecresigned his government post.
In 2009 Podravka acquiredBelsadand opened a new logistics center inDugopolje.
In 2010, Podravka products were produced in the United States for the first time.
In 2012 Zvonimir Mršić became Podravka's chief executive officer and Dubravko Štimac was elected chairman of thesupervisory board.
In 2013, the company opened aFood innovation centerin cooperation with theRuđer Bošković Institute.In the same year, Podravka signed an agreement with the Croatian spirituous beverages' producerBadel 1862for exclusive distribution of Badel products in Slovenia.
In 2014, Podravka took over the fish processing companyMirnaand acquired a 51.55% majority stake in Slovenian food company Žito in 2015.
Podravka markets its products under brand names including:
Podravka also producespickled vegetablesandAjvarrelish.