Under her guide Domel developed into a globally competitive company and Rejec earned the respect of employees and partners with her authentic style of management, the association said.

Rejec had worked for the company, which is in sole ownership of present and former employees, for 39 years. It was in her father's workshop that she developed enthusiasm for electric motors.

She had worked in the R&D department as electrical engineer, headed the building designers department, served as R&D manager and quality manager and in 2006 took over as chairman.

The Železniki-based company manufactures electric motors for vacuum cleaners and household appliances, commutator motors for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, garden equipment, industrial vacuums and blowers and car industry components.

As much as 90% of the output is sold in foreign markets, mostly in Germany, Hungary and Romania.

Domel electric motors are built into all leading brands of vacuum cleaners such as Phillips, Kärcher, Rowenta, Electrolux, Zelmer, Stein and Hyla, and commutator motors power higher-end market Stihl garden tools, Husqvarna tools, as well as Samsung gadgets.

Rejec has also been heading an institution promoting entrepreneurship among young people, the Technology Centre for Electric Machinery and the section for advancements at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS).

She has received several awards for her work, including from the GZS.

Previous recipients of the Manager Association lifetime achievement award are Aleš Mižigoj, Cvetana Rijavec, Danica Purg, Stojan Petrič, Cvetka Selšek, Niko Kač, Milan Matos, Zlatko Kavčič, Tone Turnšek, Tone Krašovec, Bruno Korelič, Miloš Kovačič, Jože Stanič, Janko Kosmina and Marjan Prelc.