Marko Lukić, the owner and director of prefabricated house maker Lumar, has been honoured by his peers with the title of the 2024 Manager of the Year.

Lukić developed the company into a globally recognised trendsetter in wooden low-energy homes, the Manager Association said before presenting the award at its annual congress on 26 September.

"The company's financials as well as awards and certificates testify to his success," it said.

Lumar's value added per employee increased from €52,000 in 2019 to €80,000 last year.

Revenue went from €19 million to €30 million in the same period, while net profit more than tripled, to almost €2.7 million.

Manager Association described Lukić as a director who has built his business on the principles of lifelong learning. It highlighted its corporate social responsibility and strong links with the local environment.

The company was founded by Lukić in 1993 and entered the prefabricated homes market in 2000.

Less than a month ago, a zero-emission kindergarten built by the company entirely from Slovenian wood opened in Selnica ob Dravi west of Maribor in an investment valued at €6 million.

Lukić said at the time it was the first public facility in Slovenia built using the innovative award-winning Slovenian iQwood technology, without adhesives or chemicals.

"Due to the use of wood and other natural materials, the kindergarten will provide a pleasant living environment for children and educators, and because of its high-quality design and low energy consumption, it will have extremely low maintenance costs," he explained.

Lumar built the kindergarten in collaboration with the builder GIC Gradnje