More than one thousand fire extinguishers will be sent to Strasbourg.
The Pastor TVA company will deliver 1,056 fire extinguishers to Strasbourg this week and equip the complete European Parliament complex with its products. Together with a Belgian partner, Pastor won the contract at an international tender against intense international competition, reports Jutarnji List on December 18, 2017.
The European Parliament commissioned for its French headquarters Pastor's water and foam extinguishers, which are becoming increasingly popular in the world, said Hrvoje Popović, the CEO of Pastor. “This equipment is ecologically more acceptable than traditional powder extinguishers. Unfortunately, this technology is rarely present in Croatia because it is slightly more expensive,” said Popović.
Since the price was not the only tender criterion, the European Parliament finally opted for the Croatian products. The red fire extinguishers will be installed in the institution in the next few days. “It is very nice to see the address of the European Parliament as the delivery address,” said Popović.
The European Parliament has commissioned the equipment because it had to modernise its fire protection system, and Pastor decided to have a go at the tender. In late November, they received the confirmation that they had won the international tender. “This will be the most beautiful Christmas gift for us,” Popović said, adding that the company exports more than 70 percent of its production, mostly to the European Union markets, especially to the Benelux countries, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In addition to Croatia, Pastor is present in all the markets of former Yugoslavia and exports to neighbouring countries such as Hungary and Romania.
Pastor TVA is the most significant firefighter equipment manufacturer in Southeast Europe. The company independently produces cylinders for its equipment, which means that all parts are made internally. They are among few such companies in Europe. Pastor provides all types of fire extinguishers, from 1 kg up to 100 kg. All devices are manufactured according to European standards, have all the required certificates and carry the “Croatian Quality” label issued by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce.
Pastor was founded in 1930 and currently employs 90 people. Annual revenues grow regularly, and this year they are expected to reach more than 60 million kunas. The company is satisfied with its continuous growth and has announced it will soon modernise its plant.
All devices that will be used at the European Parliament have been manufactured at the Pastor factory located in Rakitje near Zagreb, where the company moved in 2006. According to Popović, at that time they were among few who decided to leave production in Croatia, but this proved to be a right decision.
The problem for the company is cheap exports from abroad, which often involve devices of suspicious quality. They are sold at lower prices, which means Pastor often loses at Croatian tenders.
Translated from Jutarnji List.
