A new Partner, June 2004
Over the past two years, UltraNectar, Inc. has been searching for the right partner to help the company grow and expand into new markets. The story below describes how a pivotal relationship was formed.

History: Yugoslavia 1958: a small apparel production company named after a local mountain, Mahnjaca (read: Mahnecha) was started in Zepce, (read: Zhebche.). It started producing industrial protective clothing for Marshal Tito’s communist regime and eventually transcended into other areas of production. A few years after Mahnjaca was formed, they became known for quality products. The company continued to grow, and over time became a leading manufacturer of protective clothing for industries ranging from firefighting to laboratory work. The factory employed over 1400 workers creating a substantial economic and industrial bases in the region. The company continued to grow and prosper, developing new technologies and providing a stable work environment for the people of Zepce. The 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo helped to open the Yugoslavian boarders to the rest of Europe and the world. The Olympics increase acceptance for products coming out of the communist country.



The War: In April of 1992 the European Community and the United States officially recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty. This resulted in a civil war where the Serbs, Croats and Muslims all fought for control. During the fighting the factory sustained heavy damaged and sections had to be decommissioned. It seemed a terrible ending to the Mahnjaca success story. The war years passed with tremendous casualties in the area. Mahnjaca restarted its production after the war, but struggled with only about 50 workers remaining and no market for its products.
In 2002, when privatization went through in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a big turnaround occurred by opening the company to foreign investment. Local businessman, Mr. Mladen Ivesic, saw an opportunity to re-build the factory. Mr. Ivesic got to work and immediately started hiring back many of the old workers that were still in the area and hired new workers to fill the positions. “It was a hard beginning”, recalled Mr. Ivesic, however he held a positive outlook for this once thriving company. In March of 2003, Mr. Ivesic’s wish for a great opportunity came true after contact with Eastern European born Vedran Vidic. Vedran Introduced UltraNectar and Mr. Ivesic and the two companies started working towards a partnership.



The New Partnership: A new venture was born. After negotiations, with Sasa Jovic (CEO of Mahnjaca) and Vedran Vidic (liaison for UN) leading the communications, an agreement was reached to form a joint venture between the two companies. Many people from the region where Mahnjaca operates are now returning to the area with new secured jobs.
UltraNectar, Inc. now has the ability to produce its products using highly skilled labor. This places UltraNectar in a position to better serve its customers and continue to create a superior product. Mahnjaca is an ISO certified company that plans to grow with healthy and ethical business principles. Few other companies in this industry can pride themselves to be in tune with nature and humane working conditions. UltraNectar, Inc. is one of the first of its kind taking advantage of business opportunities and not its workers.
The Future: This partnership will prove to be a tremendous benefit for both companies. UltraNectar has acquired an exclusive manufacturing partner which allows the company to have far more control over its manufacturing quality and timelines. This means superior products and service for the customers. The executives: Chip Wasson, Kevin Gorman, Andrew Peterson and Jutta Hoffman along with the rest of the UltraNectar family are ecstatic about this new partnership and are hard at work towards a bright future.