No Products in the Cart
Responsible, organized and persistent – with these words, Tomaž Šeruga, production director at the manufacturing facility LELOteks in Murska Sobota, describes himself, where he daily takes care of the coordination of processes, employees and quality. In the world of production, where precision, responsiveness and good organization matter, he believes above all in the power of the team, knowledge and continuous improvements. In the interview, he reveals how work in modern textile production takes place, why locality is an important factor, and how technology and experience together co-create the story of LELOteks.
Production management requires precision, transparency and quick responsiveness. How would you describe your everyday life as a production director?
My everyday life is very dynamic and diverse, as production requires constant presence, organization and quick adaptation. My work is not limited only to monitoring the production process itself, but includes coordinating all departments (or employees, because we are not that big yet, and one employee covers also two to three departments), production planning, organization of key personnel and ensuring that everything runs on time and with quality. Every day we face new challenges, quick response and good communication with the team are important.
I also place great emphasis on monitoring product quality, process optimization and creating a good working environment. I want to give employees a feeling of support, clear direction and trust.
Production is not only a process, but the coordination of people, work, technology and time. Which aspect of this requires the most of your attention?
The most attention is required by the coordination of people and time, as production is a very connected system in which every part of the process must work in coordination. If a delay or problem occurs in one area, it can also quickly be reflected in other areas or in the final result. Therefore, good planning of all key elements is important, from input to output. By this I mean both employees and basic materials from which we create final products through the production process. Technology helps us a lot here. Automation in the area of transport, for example, helped us to focus on other areas such as quality. However, in the end, the team is still the one that, with its knowledge and experience, together with the support of technology, creates the result.
Behind every piece of LELOSI stands a motivated team. How important a factor is cooperation and motivating individuals in the LELOteks production facility?
Cooperation is extremely important in production, as every individual is part of a larger whole. Success is not the result of an individual, but of coordinated teamwork, in which employees help each other and complement one another. A good product does not arise because of one person, but because of coordinated work of the entire team. When respect, willingness to help each other and good communication prevail among employees, this is quickly reflected also in the quality of work and the overall atmosphere in production.
Employee motivation is very important, as satisfied and valued employees perform their work with greater responsibility and dedication. In the company, we strive to create an environment where people feel included, heard and important, as I believe that employees are the greatest value of the company.
Seamstresses, with their knowledge and precision, give the products their final appearance. In your opinion, what best reflects their value in production?
Their value is best reflected in knowledge, experience and sense for detail. Sewing work requires a lot of precision, patience and responsibility, as even the smallest detail affects the final appearance and quality of the product.
Seamstresses are not only part of production, but key co-creators of the product. With their work, they give garments their final appearance and ensure that they meet the quality standards that we want to offer to customers. I greatly appreciate their work, as without their knowledge and dedication, quality production could not be ensured.
The return of production to the local environment is today a strategic decision. What significance does this have for you personally and for our customers?
For me personally, “home” production has great importance mainly due to preserving local knowledge, tradition and jobs. The textile industry has a long history in our environment, I believe it is important that we preserve and develop this knowledge also for future generations. This is also proven by the increasing number of younger employees who are willing to learn sewing skills, even though there have been no educational programs in this field for more than two decades.
For customers, local production means greater traceability, better quality control and more trust in products. In addition, it enables faster market adaptability and shorter delivery times. More and more buyers today are interested in where and how products are made; local production is also an important added value.
The textile industry has a strong tradition in Slovenia, especially in Murska Sobota. How do you see its role today and in the future?
The textile industry in Slovenia still has an important role, although it has changed significantly over the years. Today, success is no longer dependent on quantity, but mainly on quality, adaptability, development and the ability to respond quickly to market needs. Murska Sobota has a rich textile tradition and a lot of knowledge that must not be lost. I believe that the industry has a future mainly in connecting experience with new technologies, modern materials and innovative approaches. It is also important to invest in young staff and create an environment where people will see an opportunity for development and long-term employment.
Production is often hidden from customers’ eyes, but has a key role. What would you like people to know about the process of creating LELOSI garments in the LELOteks production facility?
I want people to know how much work, knowledge and coordination is required for the creation of one product. Every piece of clothing goes through several phases of the process – from material preparation, cutting and sewing to quality control and final preparation of the product. But this is only part that happens “inside the house”. Before the material enters serial production, a lot of coordination and development work takes place – from procurement to testing and adjustments, so that it meets all requirements of the final product. Behind every product stands a lot of people who perform their work precisely and responsibly. Production is not only a technical process, but the work of people who, with their knowledge and experience, create products – from the idea all the way to the moment when the product is ready for sale.
Technology is increasingly influencing production processes. How are modern approaches and tools reflected in the LELOteks production facility?
Technology today plays a very important role in the organization and efficiency of production. With modern approaches, we can better plan processes, monitor production and more quickly detect possible deviations. From the very beginning, we have been directing efforts into the automation of selected segments, which is already reflected today in concrete results. We were the first in Slovenia to install an intelligent hanger transport system, which enables managers significant relief in organizing work, so that they can fully focus on quality in the production process and not only on internal logistics.
I want to emphasize that technology in textile production cannot replace the knowledge and experience of people, but it can make their work easier, improve working conditions and contribute to greater precision and efficiency. The goal is primarily the integration of modern solutions with professional knowledge of employees.
The market is changing quickly and requires more and more adaptability. How does production adapt to new requirements and trends?
Today, adaptability is one of the key advantages of successful production. We know that trends change quickly, customers expect quality, speed and reliability; therefore production must be capable of quick response. We pay a lot of attention to work organization, process optimization and continuous improvement. At the moment we are at a point where, in case of order change or need for a different item in the warehouse, we can complete everything within three days. This means that from basic material to a final product ready for serial sale, we can very quickly adapt and implement changes. We will not stop here – our goal is further optimization and even faster response.
Every product has its own story. What feeling do you have when you see the final product on a customer?
It is a pleasant feeling of satisfaction and pride. When you see someone wearing a product in which our team participated, our work gains even greater meaning. At that moment the value of all invested hours, effort and cooperation is shown. This is also a strong motivation for the future, as you know that people recognize the work behind each product.
Management also means responsibility towards people and the environment. How do you understand your role in the broader context of the company?
I understand my role primarily as a responsibility towards employees, their families, the company and the wider community. It is important to me to create a stable, safe and positive working environment where employees can perform their work well, develop, and at the same time feel safe. At the beginning, we established numerous business connections with local companies with which we build relationships of mutual support. People from Prekmurje are known for cooperation and connection, therefore we like to help each other and always look for solutions that are beneficial for both sides.
At the same time we place great emphasis on responsibility towards the environment. We try to use every centimeter of material, as we are aware that leftovers represent an additional burden for the environment. Already in the phase of infrastructure planning, we paid a lot of attention to efficient use of energy sources, which today is also reflected in lower consumption.
Success is often hidden in small improvements. Where do you see the most room for development in the future?
I am not a supporter of big stories and projects. I see the right path in continuous small improvements and in a working environment where every individual can contribute their idea to higher productivity. The greatest potential for development I see in further optimization of processes, introducing automation where it makes sense, and investing in employee knowledge. Small improvements bring big results in the long term, it is crucial that we continuously develop and look for better solutions.
Author: Nikolina Koljanin
