Strong Industrial Tradition
| Slovakia has a proud industrial tradition, and is benefiting from continued restructuring, privatization and investment. The government has a package of investment incentives available, and numerous locations for industrial parks, including both green field and brown field sites. Slovakia’s largest foreign investor, Volkswagen, has already opened its third production plant. |
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raditionally the automotive sector has been the cornerstone of the economy, and has a positive effect on a number of complementary industries, including the manufacture of components. The chemical sector is another industry with a long history in Slovakia, and continued restructuring is opening up further opportunities. The pharmaceutical industry is a key growth sector, as is timber and wood processing.
The electronics industry has attracted a number of international investors, who find a ready supply of skilled workers in electro-technology and engineering. The large number of low cost, yet world-class software engineers is having a positive effect on the development of the software market. International investors appreciate this highly developed technological labor pool at a greatly reduced cost.
Slovakia exports the majority of its goods to its European neighbors, particularly Germany and the Czech Republic. With three of its four top export destinations being EU members, Slovakia already has a significant European presence.
International investors comment on the government’s receptiveness to proposals, as well as the ease of setting up in Slovakia. The workforce – already highly educated and literate – has high productivity levels and is easily trainable. In Slovakia, investors can find the best of all worlds.
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Axon Pro
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he dynamic IT firm Axon Pro, formed in 1995, specializes in providing world-class solutions for its high profile clients. Recognizing that the implementation and usage of IT is a complex process that leads to a more effective fulfillment of customer goals, Axon Pro offers uniquely tailored packages that make a real difference.
The company undertakes a range of services, from maintaining existing computer networks, to installing new programs and software, overseeing system integration, and supplying complex hardware, software and network infrastructures. As Alfred Zimmermann, director, explains, “It is an important part of our work to analyze customers’ needs, take into consideration their perspectives and find the best solution for that particular customer.”
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“We find the best solutions for our customers.”
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Axon Pro partners many of the world’s leading IT companies, enabling it to implement a range of systems and solutions. The company’s system engineers are certified by Hewlett Packard, Cisco, 3COM, Oracle, SUN Microsystems, and Microsoft. The professional background along with its ISO 9001/2000 certificate of quality, enables Axon Pro to fulfill the most challenging tasks on IT field. The new perspective of the company growth, cooperation with foreign investors and possible expansion to foreign markets sees Zimmermann in Intranet applications development based on Java and Oracle technologies.
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Alfred Zimmermann
Director
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Among its many clients, Axon Pro has worked with the Slovak ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Education and Agriculture. It has completed projects for Slovak Airlines, the Slovak National Gallery, the National Health Department, and the country’s Air Traffic Control Institution. Axon Pro installed the satellite system for Reuters in Slovakia, supplied and installed a system linking 125 Slovakian tax offices, and supplied and installed PCs and peripherals for 175 agricultural organizations as part of the EU integration program.
Headquartered in Bratislava, and with branch offices in Topolcany, Banska Bystrica and Kosice, Axon Pro continues to grow as it provides ever more sophisticated solutions to its clients. Zimmermann points out that the way to ensure these world-class solutions is to have a highly professional team with good product knowledge. “I focus a lot of my energy on training my team,” he says. “I also believe in providing a good working environment for employees. When my employees are happy, then my customers are happy, and that makes me happy!” |
Pfizer
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fizer established its first branch office in Slovakia in 1995 and has enjoyed impressive growth ever since. Although it was a late entrant into the market, as General Manager Raj Airey acknowledges, “Through our product quality and additional value added services, we managed to capture significant market share in a short time frame.”
Pfizer has made a great impact both as an employer and an investor. Its policy of employing local people and providing them with constant training and mentoring has made it the employer of choice in Slovakia. Pfizer believes that its people are its greatest asset, values their diversity, and creates an environment that fosters their growth and development.
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“We have achieved a great deal in a short period of time.”
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Since 1996 Pfizer has invested more than $3 million in clinical research in Slovakia. “This research has proven to be as good as any conducted by the company worldwide,” Airey points out. The company has also formed strong links with physicians and other medical professionals: a 2002 independent survey found that Slovakian physicians rated Pfizer the number-one provider.
Airey is proud of how well regarded Pfizer is in the medical community. Medical professionals view the company across the healthcare sector as having great integrity and credibility. In fact Pfizer is held in such high esteem that the government has asked it to help establish a reform program to strengthen the entire Slovakian healthcare sector.
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Raj Airey
General Manager
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Pfizer is involved in a number of community initiatives, from sponsoring charities to supporting preventative healthcare programs. One Pfizer epidemiological survey evaluated risk factors in 19 Slovakian cities and six factories, screening more than 4,000 people. Other programs have included healthy ageing, Alzheimer’s surveys, and a library project to increase information resources available to physicians.
Pfizer is a fine example of an American company that has entered the Slovakian market and achieved a great deal in a short time period. Combining the knowledge and work ethic of local employees with a strong international brand, means that Pfizer is set to be an industry leader for many years to come. |
Pfizer (back)
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"Life is our life's work"
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