From a small trading shop with two employees to a regional leader that no serious project passes by today.
A record 2025 and new production standards in 2026
After a record year in 2025, in which it achieved outstanding business results and launched one of the most important investment cycles since its founding, Alternativa set a new standard at the very start of 2026.
In January it produced and successfully delivered to Croatia a sheet of an impressive 19.7 metres in length – the longest sheet ever produced in its plants.
The building in question is the Babina Gora Waste Management Centre in Karlovac, with an area of 30,000 m². The job was won through an international tender. The investor set an unusual requirement, and Alternativa met it successfully. This is only one of the projects in which Alternativa d.o.o. has once again justified its position on the market.
Major international projects and cooperation with global companies
Among the most significant projects, continuous and successful cooperation with all domestic retail chains stands out in particular, through the delivery of logistics centres and retail buildings across Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the same time, Alternativa was a partner on projects for the German retail chain “Lidl” in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the main logistics centre and retail buildings were completed. Such projects involved roof, wall, façade and cold-store systems.
The cooperation has extended to the German automotive giant Volkswagen, for whose first electric-vehicle battery plant in Spain Alternativa supplies special panels under particular technical conditions. After a detailed audit of production processes, quality control and digital product traceability, the visitors from Volkswagen were clear: “We have no questions. Everything is as it should be.” Delivery of 250 truckloads of goods was agreed and is currently under way. The company has also delivered projects for global brands, among them Kia, Samsung and Hyundai, particularly on the Hungarian market, where electric-vehicle battery plants have been built.
Technology, certification and European quality standards
To have customers of the kind Alternativa has in your portfolio, you need to be fully organised, properly staffed and equipped with technology at the highest level. That means first-class production equipment, precise quality control and clearly defined processes in every part of the business. To date Alternativa has invested approximately BAM 2 million in testing, development and certification of its products, confirming a clear strategic commitment to the highest European standards of quality and safety. These investments have made the products fully compliant with the requirements of the European Union market and of other international markets.
The products are certified in accordance with harmonised European standards, including tests of mechanical resistance and load-bearing capacity, reaction and resistance to fire and other key technical properties. Assessment and verification of constancy of performance were carried out in accordance with the EU Regulation, confirmed by the issuing of a Declaration of Performance and the right to CE marking. Continuity and reliability of quality are further ensured through certified management systems in line with ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety management), which establishes full traceability of processes and consistent control of every production stage.
The factory production control system, together with regular in-house laboratory testing, guarantees stable and verifiable quality of every batch produced, while more demanding tests and certifications are carried out in renowned, accredited and notified European institutes. Additional value comes from holding an Environmental Product Declaration, which confirms a responsible approach to sustainability and environmental protection. As an energy-conscious company, Alternativa has installed solar power plants, covering the greater part of production with energy from renewable sources, further reducing the environmental footprint of its products and confirming its commitment to sustainable development.
Alongside numerous awards and recognitions, Alternativa has been honoured for its long-standing contribution and continuous excellence with the prestigious Sixth of April Award, given by the City of Sarajevo as a mark of respect and recognition for an outstanding contribution to the development and success of the community.
The company’s path of development from 1997 to today
Alternativa was founded in 1997 as a scrap metal collection business. Like most post-war companies, it began modestly, but with a clear vision of development and growth.
By 2001 the production of building sheet metalwork had started, and in 2004 the production of roof and façade sheets, marking a significant step towards industrial manufacturing.
At the beginning of 2006 Alternativa, as the first producer of polyurethane panels in Bosnia and Herzegovina, began production on a discontinuous line. A major step forward came in 2017, when production of thermal insulation panels started on a continuous line. Just two years later a second continuous line was commissioned, and the product range was further extended with mineral wool panels. Today Alternativa marks 20 years of successful production, confirming continuity of growth, investment and technological advancement. All processes are run by in-house software, itself the product of Alternativa’s long experience; accordingly, all production processes are digitalised.
A key decision was made long ago: reinvest all profit into development, equipment and people.
“While many invested in personal needs, we directed almost all profit into machinery and development. That was the turning point of our growth,” Lemeš emphasises.
Around BAM 28 million has been invested so far in new equipment, much of which is now arriving, and in land for further development. Alternativa plans an additional investment cycle of BAM 50 million over the next two years. The company has a clear need to expand capacity, but faces challenges in finding available land and lengthy administrative procedures. It is also considering relocating part of production to other sites within Bosnia and Herzegovina where business conditions are more favourable.
Record revenue and strong exports to regional markets
In 2025 Alternativa achieved a turnover of BAM 171 million, of which BAM 83 million came from exports. On the Serbian market Alternativa is today the largest company in its field. Last year alone, 1,950 truckloads of panels were delivered from Hrasnica to Serbia, which retained its position as the largest customer.
Employees as the foundation of success, and international interest in the company
The company employs around 150 people, and at any given moment there are more than 200 open applications for work. A recent vacancy for two positions in accounting attracted more than 80 candidates.
The average net salary in December was BAM 3,350. Alternativa believes that a satisfied and committed employee can give their full contribution only when their income is stable and dignified. The aim is therefore to provide salaries that give employees security, stability and peace of mind, so that they can direct their energy, focus and knowledge solely to their work and professional development.
“Besides pay, you need to create an environment in which people feel safe, respected and motivated to give their best,” Lemeš points out. Alternativa advocates a transparent system of contracting gross salaries so that workers can clearly see the effects of tax relief or tax burdens.
As a result of intensive development and the recognised quality of Alternativa’s products, the company has attracted significant interest on the international market. Confirmation of this is the fact that the world’s largest company in this field has come on several occasions to discuss a possible acquisition of Alternativa. “They came because we had become serious competition on their markets. That is the best proof that we work well and that we can meet the most demanding challenges of the market.
Modest people work at Alternativa, committed to work more than to words. Still, there are moments when the results speak so strongly that they leave no room for modesty. We are proud of everything we have built and achieved, and we believe we have the right to say clearly and out loud, at least for a moment, who we are and what we stand for,” Lemeš concludes.
