From bed mechanisms to hotel industry - 20 successful years of Nis-based Tami Trade

In 2011, when it celebrates the 20th birthday, Nis-based Tami Trade, a company that makes products for the upholstered furniture industry, plans to enter the market of Russia, employ 50 new workers, increase production capacities, and introduce new lines.

In addition to production of various models of bed mechanisms, this family company is also engaged in a hotel business. Tami Residence hotel, situated in the vicinity of the center of Nis, received the first guests in 2009.

Tami Trade plant

In two plants, located on Nis-Leskovac-Brestovac road, Tami Trade has 90 workers.

- Last year we invested much in new machines and modernization of the technology line. We have 60 products that we sell in our market and the markets of Greece, Italy, Czech Republic, and the countries of former Yugoslavia. Effects of the economic crisis can still be felt, but we are satisfied with our continuous production – Tami Trade CEO Jovica Stojanovic speaks for eKapija about the company's operations.

(Jovica Stojanovic receives ProBusiness Leader award)

Our interlocutor says that the company plans to increase production within next three years.

- We will try to export our products to the market of Russia, which will require employment of additional 50 workers. I am satisfied with our government's cooperation with Russia because the Free Trade Agreement gives Serbia priority in trade with Russian Federation. I believe a penetration of that market is possible with quality products and good marketing – says Stojanovic.

He says that they are already indirectly present in that market through the companies that buy the products of Tami Trade.

- Our products are built in upholstered furniture produced by Bujanovac-based Lagado and Uzice-based Atlas, which is then exported to Russia and France - Stojanovic explains

Tami Trade is now facing a problem of lack of quality semi-finished products, which is the reason why it is going to start the production of necessary parts.

- Since we are operating according to ISO 9001 standards, we must have quality materials so that we will start producing pipes that we used to procure from our collaborators – says Stojanovic.

The Tami Trade CEO points out that they are producing for their own needs lattoflex battens of veneer that they procure from collaborators. As he says, they plan to start production of veneer and, thus, bring together the whole production process in the plant in Nis.

- This is a family business that we constantly expand. Last year the company opened a hotel. The name of the company is made of initial two letters of the names of my daughters Tanja and Mila – says Stojanovic.

Tami Residence Hotel with 4 stars

The hotel, which has 60 standard and 10 deluxe rooms, including 4 suites, also comprises an annex with 10 deluxe rooms named Tami. The hotel's Business Center includes Residence hall, which has 150 seats and is big enough for 200 guests when cocktail parties are organized, Tami hall, and the hall for meetings. A small church of St. Archangel Michael is part of the hotel's special offer.

The hotel also comprises a swimming pool, courts for basketball, volleyball, mini football and tennis, and there is also a park for kids. The hotel guests can enjoy the services of a spa center, of which offer includes a gym, cardio-life fitness, fitness for women, pilates, yoga, relaxing and sports massage, Ayurveda face treatments, manicure, pedicure, jacuzzi, sauna, etc.

In addition to the national cuisine, the restaurant of Tami Residence Hotel also offers Italian, French and Scandinavian dishes. This hotel also has a rich offer of domestic and foreign wines, exotic sea food and Indian and Asian specialties. During the summer, Summer Bar next to the swimming pool is open.

- We had a beautiful hotel built in the location in the vicinity of the city center, which is intended for congress and sports tourism. At the time of the matches of the World Water Polo League, our guests were national water polo teams of Australia, USA, Spain, Serbia, and others. Many national teams were also staying in our hotel during the European Volleyball Championship. Also, we have organized number of symposiums and business meetings. My whole family and 40 employees are engaged in the work of the hotel – says Jovica Stojanovic.

According to Stojanovic, 55 companies, the largest number of which from Serbia, participated in the construction.

Tami Trade won the 2010 ProBusiness Leader award in the category of small enterprises.

S.O.