On November 10, the "Business of the Year Award 2023" was presented for the second time. This year, AS VALMIERAS STIKLA ŠĶIEDRA was chosen as the company of the year for its outstanding achievements and contribution to the business of Valmiera municipality. The company was also awarded as Investment of the Year and Taxpayer of the Year, as well as received an honorary title in the nomination "Cooperation of the Year with Educational Institutions".
Valmiera municipality has expressed its appreciation to entrepreneur who have made a significant contribution to the development of the region with their work and have shown remarkable business results. In the evaluation process, data indicators of companies were taken into account, as well as recommendations provided by cooperation organizations. The established criteria included the companies' financial indicators, growth trends, sustainability practices and social responsibility, allowing to evaluate the success of the companies and their contribution to the county's economy.
AS VALMIERAS STIKLA ŠĶIEDRA has had several challenges in recent years, starting with the global COVID-19 virus, up to last year's energy prices, which still affect the company. Challenges were seen as opportunities and so far, have been able to adapt and change to be able to continue producing. The solutions have not always been immediate, resources were often invested tenfold in order to bring the result closer to the goal. There are, of course, conditions that cannot be changed, and one of them is the energy capacity, which is necessary for us to be able to produce. But in spite of that, during the last 10 years the investments of AS VALMIERAS STIKLA ŠĶIEDRA have reached EUR 78 million. And precisely in 2022, the company managed to achieve the historically best turnover - 128 mil. EUR. This was also possible thanks to investments that allow the company to produce even higher quality, more valuable products, as well as to increase capacity.
During the award ceremony, the Chairman of the Management Board of the company Stefan Jugel emphasized: “I cannot deny that instead of these awards, I would prefer to receive a fair energy price from Latvenergo AS next year. Despite that, we will continue to invest in Valmiera, and I hope that next year one of the many small business owners who invest their private money and life will receive one of these awards. The current situation is much more difficult for small businesses than for us - large companies. So, my deepest respect to all those who keep this city alive.”
Thank you for appreciating, acknowledging and respecting our work. We would like to thank our team of 1,210 colleagues for their intensive, persistent and productive work, as well as our business partners, our customers and our friends and supporters for being with us and trusting us throughout the year. We say thank you to everyone in Valmiera municipality, to all businesses and people who, through their knowledge, care, creativity and focused work, make our region a better and a happier place to live for all of us every day.
Photo © Klāvs Vasiļevskis