AKTIVA DOO Shtip: From a family company to an industrial leader in metal processing

When AKTIVA DOO Shtip was founded in 1999, few could have imagined that in two and a half decades the company would grow into one of the most significant players in the Macedonian metal processing industry and one of the LARGEST AND MOST SUCCESSFUL Macedonian companies.

Today, AKTIVA ŠTIP is recognizable as a company that successfully combines engineering, production and modern technologies, collaborating with a large number of domestic and foreign partners.

AKTIVA DOO Shtip is a diversified company whose main activity includes design, construction and supervision of industrial and other facilities, production of steel structures, as well as production of metal components and assemblies for the automotive industry, the railway sector and other industrial equipment.

It is best known to the public as a contractor of large engineering projects for the construction of steel structures and as a major manufacturer of automobile chassis, for buses, but also for airport trolleys. It is known for its cooperation with some of the giants of the automotive industry, but also for the construction of facilities in the Macedonian investment zones.

If we trace the history of the company, it is clear that over the course of more than 25 years of operation, the company has gradually expanded its range of services and production capacities, following the needs of the market and the development of modern technologies.

Today, AKTIVA is an example of a domestic company that did not see the arrival of foreign investments in Macedonia as competition, but rather as an opportunity for its own growth and internationalization - and this is also demonstrated through the key strategic partnerships that the company has been establishing with some of them for many years.

From construction to the automotive industry

In the first years of its operation, the company was primarily recognized for the design, construction, and supervision of industrial facilities.

Over time, management recognized the need to diversify production and invest in new technologies.

A turning point in development was 2014, when the entry of foreign investors into Macedonia significantly increased the demand for domestic companies that could produce metal components according to the high standards of the automotive industry.

It was then that AKTIVA began a new investment cycle. The company expanded its production capacities and began manufacturing and processing metal components and assemblies under the AKTIVA Automotive brand.

With this, the company not only expands its portfolio, but also enters the supply chain for one of the most complex and competitive industries in the world – the automotive industry.

Investments in modern production

The next major milestone comes in 2018, when the company restructures its ownership structure and moves to a new production complex.

A modern steel structure production plant with a monthly capacity of over 1,000 tons has been built at the new location. The new factory is equipped with modern technology that enables faster, more precise and higher quality production.

In addition to the production of steel structures, AKTIVA Automotive has modern CNC equipment for processing steel, stainless steel and aluminum.

Automated production processes enable high precision, reducing the possibility of errors and meeting the strict standards required by European and American customers.

Thanks to these investments, the company gradually manages to position itself in more foreign markets and establish long-term cooperation with companies from Europe and the USA.

At the same time, the expansion of production creates conditions for new investments, modernization of equipment and creation of new jobs.

New investment cycle

The company's development does not stop with the investments made so far.

The opening of new markets and increased demand have led to the launch of a new investment cycle, which is already underway.

The goal is to further increase production capacities, introduce new automated processes and improve the company's competitiveness on the European and global markets.

How does ACTIVA rank among the "200 LARGEST AND MOST SUCCESSFUL"?

The financial results show that the company remains one of the significant industrial entities in Macedonia.

In 2024, AKTIVA ranked 122nd on the list of the largest Macedonian companies and 167th on the list of the most successful .

The company generated revenue from 2,560,024,094 denars, while profit before tax reached 138,527,233 denars .

Although revenues decreased by 18.12 percent compared to the previous year, pre-tax profit increased by 3.85 percent.

This result shows that the company has managed to improve its operating efficiency. A decrease in revenue does not always mean a decrease in profitability.

In conditions where the company manages to optimize costs, make better use of production capacities, and work on projects with higher added value, it is possible to achieve higher profits despite a lower volume of revenues.

Such indicators are usually considered a sign of mature corporate governance and careful investment planning.

2024 – a year of new opportunities

One of the most significant moments in the company's recent history was obtaining a certificate that allows access to NATO markets.

By obtaining this certification, AKTIVA gains the opportunity to participate in procurement tenders related to the needs of the Alliance, which represents a significant expansion of the potential market.

At the same time, the company announced a new chapter in its development.

In 2025, an investment worth 12 million euros was made, intended for a new production facility and new robotic production lines.

According to information from the company, the new facilities should enable an increase in production by about 300 percent, which will create conditions for faster fulfillment of the requirements of existing customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

People as the most important investment

Although investments in machinery, technologies, and production capacities are an important part of the development strategy, AKTIVA believes that long-term success depends above all on people.

The company today employs more than 500 people, and in 2024 the number of employees was around 526.

A large number of them are mechanical engineers, technicians, designers and other highly qualified professionals.

In a situation where Macedonia has been facing an outflow of young and educated people for years, retaining such staff represents a serious challenge for every industrial company.

Therefore, AKTIVA not only invests in professional development, but also in improving the living standards of its employees.

Investment in a home for employees

One of the most interesting corporate decisions was made during the Covid pandemic.

During a period when activities in the core business were reduced, the company began a project to build a residential complex with around 300 apartments in Shtip.

The goal was not only to invest in real estate, but also to create conditions for some employees to more easily access their own homes.

A large number of the apartments were purchased by employees of the company, and AKTIVA provided a subsidy of up to 15 percent for their purchase.

This model represents a rare example of a corporate policy aimed at long-term retention of professional staff and strengthening employee loyalty , which has proven to be the right step at a time when the country is facing a serious shortage of workers and professional staff.

A look to the future

With more than two and a half decades of experience, modern production facilities, hundreds of employees and continuous investments in technology, AKTIVA DOO Shtip continues to build its position as one of the most significant representatives of the Macedonian metal processing industry.

The company faces new challenges, but also new opportunities. The conquest of NATO markets, investments in robotization and automation, as well as continued investment in human capital, show that the company's strategy is aimed at long-term and sustainable growth.

From a family company founded in 1999 to a production system that today collaborates with European and American partners, AKTIVA is an example of how domestic entrepreneurship, when accompanied by vision, investment and expertise, can successfully develop in international markets.