Tutunski kombinat Prilep

Infobox_Company
company_name = Tutunski kombinat Prilep
company_
company_type = Public
company_slogan = N/A
foundation = 1873
location = flagicon|MKD Prilep, Macedonia
key_people = Toni Dimitrioski, General Manager
Goran Georgievski, Manager
num_employees = 1,350 (2008)
industry = Tobacco
products = Tobacco
homepage = [http://www.tkprilep.com.mk/ www.tkprilep.com.mk]

TKP is tobacco company from Prilep, Republic of Macedonia. Tobacco company from Prilep deals mainly with purchasing and selling of high quality oriental tobacco (types Prilep and Yaka); also its operations include production of cigarettes. Region of Prilep is known for its production of quality oriental tobacco. Tobacco tradition in Prilep goes back to 1873 when R.O.T (Regie Ottoman de Tabak) built the first warehouse for purchasing and processing of tobacco. In 1930 Croatian scientist Rudolf Gornik introduced the first varieties of famous oriental type Prilep and announced the beginning of golden tobacco era in Prilep. Government of ex-Yugoslavia issued special resolution in 1949 which established state-owned Tobacco company in Prilep. Primary aims of this trading company were purchasing and processing of tobacco. Soon Prilep's "gold" brought the first money in ex-Yugoslavia from abroad. Trade was established with USA, Japan, and companies in Europe. In 1955 Tobacco company from Prilep opened first cigarette factory. So powerful was the influence of tobacco from Prilep that it can be illustrated with one anecdote; while presidents from other socialistic republics arrived in Belgrade with Russian Volga, Macedonian president arrived with Mercedes that was a gift from Macedonian tobacco companies. Tutunski kombinat was heart and soul of Prilep, main pillar and sponsor of many social activities. In 1966 - TKP built the dam and irrigation system in the region of Prilep.

History:1969 - New cigarette factory was opened and relocated1970-1977 - Cooperation with BAT and production of their licensed brands HB, Pall Mall, Lord and Kim.1971 - Growing of Macedonian flue cured tobacco-type Virginia was introduced.1975 - Start of the new factory for production of acetate filter rods1997-2006 -Cooperation with Philip Morris and production of their brands: Bond and Partner2003-2007 - Cooperation with Austria Tabak and production of their licensed brands: Ronson, Memphis classic, light and LD.

Current Brands which are produced in TKP: Brand Regular Box, Brand Lights Box, Brand 100s, Brand Regular Soft, Brand Super Light, Europa Box, Europa Soft, Filter Oriental (in ex Yugoslavia known as Jugoslavija), Macedonia, Prilep, Rondo Lights 100s, Rondo Lights Soft, Rondo Lights Box, Rondo Regular Box, San Slims, VIP Lights Box, VIP Regular Box.Previous brands which were produced in TKP are: filter Yugoslavia, Melos, Karat, Rodeo, Samuil.

Process of privatization was finished in 1993. Today 51% is owned by shareholders and 42% owned by the state, 7% others.

References

*Ljubomir Jakimovski Ph.D, The Republic of Macedonia - Page 305, 1994
*Dr Aleksandar Donev, Macedonia Today - coloured monography, , 1985

External links

* [http://www.prilep.gov.mk/ Official Prilep Government Website]
* [http://http://tip.edu.mk/default.htm Institute for Tobacco Prilep]