25 Years of JUMO Croatia: Growth, Partnerships and the Future of Automation

Interview with Antonijo Begić | Head of SEE Region

In 2026, JUMO Croatia celebrates its 25th anniversary – a quarter century of building strong customer relationships, developing expertise, and supporting the modernization of Croatian industry with measurement, control, and automation technologies.

To mark this milestone, we spoke with Antonijo Begić, Head of SEE Region, about the development of JUMO Croatia, the transformation of the local market, the growing role of digitalization and automation, and the company’s ambitions for the years ahead.

Looking back at 25 years, what defines JUMO Croatia today?

JUMO Croatia today is defined by expertise, reliability, and the strong customer relationships we have built over the past 25 years.

During this period, we have developed into a trusted partner for measurement, control, and automation technologies, supporting customers across various industrial sectors. Today, we are entering a new chapter of growth, building a stronger local and regional team and introducing new approaches across our business – with the ambition, hopefully, to repeat this interview in another 25 years.

Being part of the global JUMO Group gives us additional strength. At the same time, thanks to new regional leadership and a clearly defined development strategy, we are focused on strengthening local competencies and positioning JUMO Croatia as one of the key players in the region.

Which achievement or project best reflects your team's success?

I cannot single out one project, because our success is the result of many years of continuous work and development. I am particularly proud of the fact that we have built strong relationships with customers across numerous industries.

Our greatest achievement is the trust we have earned in the market and the fact that customers value our ability to help them modernize, digitalize, and optimize their processes.

What does this anniversary mean to you personally?

This anniversary represents an important confirmation of everything that generations of employees, partners, and customers have built together over the past 25 years.

Personally, I see it as a responsibility towards the future and as a foundation for further development.

What excites me most is that this milestone comes at a time when JUMO in the region is entering a new phase of growth. We have a clear vision, strong organizational support, and the ambition to further strengthen our market presence and continue building a successful future.

How would you describe the relationship with your customers in Croatia?

Our relationships with customers are based on trust, open communication, and long-term cooperation. We strive to be present throughout the entire project lifecycle, from the initial consultation and design phase to implementation and technical support.

This approach enables us to build partnerships that often last for decades.

What motivates your team to keep growing after 25 years?

We are motivated by the desire for continuous improvement and by the opportunity to help our customers become more successful through our knowledge and expertise.

Industry is changing rapidly under the influence of digitalization, automation, and sustainability requirements, and we see significant opportunities for growth in these areas.

Additional motivation comes from the clear regional strategy we now have. We want to continue expanding our team, developing new competencies, and building an organization that will play an even more important role, not only in Croatia but throughout the entire region.

What were the most important milestones in JUMO Croatia’s development over the last 25 years?

Among the most important milestones were the establishment of a local presence, the continuous expansion of our customer base, and the development of JUMO Croatia into a recognized specialist in automation and process instrumentation.

Another important step was the strengthening of cooperation within the JUMO CEE South organization, which today brings together multiple markets and enables the exchange of knowledge, experience, and resources. This has created a strong foundation for further development in the years ahead.

How has the Croatian market changed since 2001, and how has JUMO responded?

The Croatian market has undergone significant transformation. Today, industry invests far more in automation, digitalization, energy efficiency, and sustainability than it did twenty years ago.

JUMO has responded to these changes through the continuous expansion of its portfolio, evolving from traditional measurement technology towards comprehensive automation solutions, software platforms, and advanced process control systems. Our goal has always been to help customers successfully address new market challenges and technological requirements

What challenges did you face in the early years, and how did you overcome them?

I cannot speak from a personal perspective about all 25 years, but I believe that one of the greatest challenges, both in the past and still today, has been building brand recognition and earning customer trust in a market that has gone through various economic changes.

We address this challenge through consistent work, technical expertise, and a strong focus on service quality. At the same time, our CEE marketing team plays a significant role in increasing brand visibility through various activities and initiatives.

Of course, our strongest focus remains on the customer relationships we have built over the years. These relationships continue to demonstrate that reliability and expertise are the foundations of sustainable growth.

Which sectors or applications have driven your success in Croatia?

Our business is based on cooperation with a wide range of industries, but I would particularly highlight the energy sector, water and wastewater industry, food and beverage production, pharmaceuticals, HVAC, and various process industries.

In these sectors, customers increasingly require reliable solutions for process measurement, control, and automation. These are precisely the areas where JUMO can deliver significant added value through its products, expertise, and experience.

What makes JUMO Croatia a trusted partner in the local market?

Our greatest strength is the combination of local presence and global capabilities.

We are close enough to our customers to understand their specific needs, while also having access to the international expertise, technological innovations, and resources of the entire JUMO Group.

This combination allows us to remain flexible, responsive, and focused on long-term solutions that create real value for our customers.

How do you see the future of automation in Croatia?

I see the future of automation in Croatia as very positive, but also challenging. Industry increasingly recognizes the importance of data connectivity, process digitalization, energy efficiency, and sustainable production. At the same time, there is still significant potential to accelerate the adoption of advanced automation technologies.

Our view is that automation is no longer an option, but a key prerequisite for competitiveness. JUMO aims to be one of the drivers of this development through innovative solutions, expert support, and close cooperation with customers on their digital transformation journey.

What are your strategic goals for the coming years?

Our primary goal is to continue developing and further strengthen our position in both Croatia and the wider region.

In the coming years, we want to grow while preserving the agility, customer proximity, and fast decision-making that characterize us today.

With the support of new leadership and a clearly defined strategy, we plan to expand our team, invest in engineering and sales capabilities, and strengthen cooperation within the JUMO CEE South organization. Our ambition is to develop JUMO Croatia into a strong regional player that actively contributes to the future of automation and process industries across Southeast Europe.