From Gevgelija to Europe: Konti - Hidroplast has been building industrial success for five decades

Konti – Hidroplast has been one of the three most successful and largest companies in Gevgelija for years. This company, located in the southernmost city of Macedonia, has been contributing for decades not only to the development of the local economy, but also to the overall economy of Macedonia in a broader sense.

Konti – Hidroplast is an export-oriented company, whose main activity is the production of PE (polyethylene) and PP (polypropylene) hoses and pipes.

Its origins date back to the former Yugoslavia, in 1975, when it was founded as a small factory for the production of tools and molded plastic elements.

Today, Konti – Hidroplast is a "giant" for Macedonian conditions, which places as much as 95% of its own production on international markets.

Hence, it is clear that the company's success largely depends not only on local developments, but its development and success are also greatly influenced by geopolitical developments and economic movements both in Europe and around the world.

This is also noticeable if we look at the financial results of the last three years, as it becomes clear that developments in Europe are greatly influencing the development of our companies that place their products on the markets there.

The financial results for 2024 show some slowdown in growth compared to previous years.

However, when they are analyzed in a broader context – from the company's development in the past five years, to developments in European markets – it becomes clear that this is not a structural problem, but a company that, despite less favorable economic conditions, maintains its leadership position in the industry.

Five years of strong growth, followed by a period of stabilization

The financial data of Konti – Hidroplast included in the project 200 LARGEST AND MOST SUCCESSFUL allow the development of the company to be clearly monitored over a longer period of time.

They show the company's development trends from 2003 onwards, and the graph easily shows the oscillations, or jumps, in the company's revenue and profits.

Since 2019, Konti – Hidroplast has been experiencing continuous growth, with the biggest leap forward in the post-pandemic period.

The company recorded its biggest "jump" in 2021, when total revenue growth compared to the previous year was 17.39% , and pre-tax profit jumped by an incredible 135.25 %.

In the following year, 2022, the positive trend continues: revenues grow by 41.69 % , while profits increase by an additional 26.88 % .

The company managed to maintain the positive trend in 2023. Revenues were up 12.48 percent, and pre-tax profit grew by 2.44 percent .

What is particularly interesting is that even in a period when the European economy is gradually starting to slow down, Conti – Hidroplast manages to improve its own profitability.

In comparison between 2023 and 2024, revenues decrease by 4.46 % , but profit before tax still grows by 9.70 % .

Such a result shows that the company is successfully controlling operating costs, improving production efficiency, and managing to maintain profitability despite weaker demand.

2024 – first serious slowdown after several successful years

The last year, 2024, is perhaps the most challenging in Conti-Hydroplast's recent history, if you look at the numbers.

The financial results for 2024 show the first more pronounced slowdown in growth after a multi-year positive cycle.

Namely, the company achieved total revenues of 3,048,570,633 denars , or about 49.6 million euros , and profit before tax amounted to 459,715,396 denars , or about 7.5 million euros .

In percentage terms, revenues in this fiscal year decreased by 5.34% compared to the previous one, while profits decreased by 18.28 % .

However, when looking at the broader picture of the company's development in the last five years, and the impressive growth from previous fiscal years, it becomes clear that we cannot speak of an enormous decline here, but rather of a possible mild stagnation, caused by the flows and movements of the markets where the company markets its products.

In other words, it is not a dramatic turnaround, but a period of stabilization after several years of extremely dynamic growth.

This is confirmed by the rankings within the "200 LARGEST AND MOST SUCCESSFUL" project, where Conti – Hidroplast in 2024 is ranked 101st among the largest companies. in Macedonia, while in terms of performance it is ranked 42nd , which once again confirms its position among the leading industrial companies in the country.

A year of stagnation and decline in European markets

Given that Konti – Hidroplast is an export-oriented company, which places most of its products on European markets, it is clear that its growth largely depends on local trends and geopolitical developments, and its financial results cannot be viewed in isolation from developments there.

The increase in operating costs, increased resource prices, but also stagnation in some industrial sectors, such as construction, are just some of the possible reasons for the slight decline in financial parameters in the operations of this Gevgelija giant.

Namely, in 2024, according to relevant statistical data , a decline in exports from Macedonia was recorded.   6.45%, which in itself indicates reduced demand.

Additionally, this was a year when construction activity in Europe slowed down, especially in infrastructure and housing projects, while at the same time, manufacturers of plastic piping systems operated in conditions of intensified price competition and more cautious investments from the public and private sectors.

In such circumstances, companies that export most of their production are logically more sensitive to any change in demand than companies that operate predominantly in the domestic market.

Hence, the decline in revenues and profits at Konti – Hidroplast should not be seen as an indicator of the company's weakening, but rather as a reflection of economic trends in the markets where it traditionally operates.

Leadership is not measured by just one financial year.

But despite the challenging year they left behind, Konti – Hidroplast continues with its goal and mission of development and expansion.

During its operation, the company has built a reputation as a manufacturer that meets the highest European standards for quality, safety and longevity of its products.

Its polyethylene and polypropylene piping systems are used in numerous infrastructure projects, water and sewage systems, industrial plants and gas pipeline networks, both in Macedonia and in several European countries.

This long-term continuity represents one of the company's greatest competitive advantages. Unlike companies that depend on short-term market cycles, Konti – Hidroplast builds stable development through long-term partnerships, continuous investments and a high level of trust among its customers.

The company maintained its leading position in the production of plastic piping systems, continued to certify its products according to the highest European standards, and strengthened its position as one of the largest Macedonian exporters in the industry.

In a situation where the entire European construction industry was facing a slowdown, this position is an indicator of stability and long-term competitiveness.

In recent years, Konti – Hidroplast has received new European certificates for PE100-RC products, which confirm that the piping systems meet the highest requirements for mechanical resistance, safety and durability.

At the same time, the company also acquired an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) – an internationally recognized declaration that documents the product's impact on the environment throughout its life cycle.

This document is becoming an increasingly important prerequisite for participation in European infrastructure projects, where, in addition to price and quality, criteria related to sustainable production and environmental protection are also gaining increasing importance.

With such certificates, Konti - Hidroplast further strengthens its position in the European markets and creates the prerequisites for further growth in the years to come.

From Macedonia to Europe, via Gevgelija

The influence of Konti - Hidroplast has long since surpassed the borders of Gevgelija.

As a company that employs around 200 people, it is one of the largest employers in the region and a significant driver of the local economy.

At the same time, its high export orientation makes it an important participant in Macedonian foreign trade and one of the companies that directly contributes to increasing exports and the inflow of foreign exchange into the country.

At a time when the Macedonian economy needs as many competitive export-oriented companies as possible, such industrial systems represent an important factor for long-term economic growth.

Half a century of continuity as a guarantee for future development

The results for 2024 show that Konti – Hidroplast is facing the challenges brought by international markets, but at the same time confirm that the company has stable foundations for further development.

More than five decades of continuous investments, modernization of production, development of new products and orientation towards European markets have created a company that successfully adapts to different economic cycles.

Although financial indicators in 2024 show a certain slowdown compared to previous years, Konti – Hidroplast remains among the most successful industrial companies in Macedonia and a leader in the production of plastic piping systems.

That is why the financial results of one year do not change the bigger picture.

On the contrary, they show that the company is successfully going through a period of stabilization, maintaining the competitiveness, export orientation, and high quality standards that have set it apart from the competition for decades.