Among the main investments carried out last year by the Swiss-owned company was a EUR 5m upgrade of its patented leather upholstery, with which the company is breaking on to new markets.

The company which is known for working with some of the biggest car makers in the world has recently begun selling upholstery to the aviation industry, working with several major carriers to equip aircraft.

Trobiš said the company planned to increase revenues this year by around 10%. The company is also launching EUR 10m in investments in a new plant and production equipment as it seeks to increase output to meet demand.

The new investments and orders mean that the company will increase its workforce beyond the current headcount of 2,000. But Trobiš warns that expansion plans are hindered by what he said was an unfriendly environment to business in Slovenia.

The company continues to lease facilities of the defunct car upholstery maker Prevent in Otiški vrh in the Koroško region, but for now has no plans to buy the plant employing 250 textile workers.