Winners of the Rezekne SEZ Enterprise of the Year Award 2019
For the 9th year, Rezekne SEZ Authority has awarded the winners of the Rēzekne SEZ Enterprise of the Year Award competition. In compliance with all the restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Rēzekne SEZ commercial companies were awarded individually. By evaluating the performance indicators of 2019, the "Company of the Year" award was presented to three Rēzekne SEZ commercial companies: SIA "LEAX Rēzekne" RSEZ and "NewFuels" RSEZ SIA in the group of large and medium sized commercial enterprises, and "Rēzeknes Dzirnavnieks" RSEZ AS in the group of small sized enterprises.
RSEZ Authority Chief Executive Officer Ms Sandra Ežmale: „Looking at the achievements and success of Rezekne SEZ enterprises in 2019, I am confident that people who work at these companies are brave and are not afraid of difficulties, challenges and obstacles. They are people who take the responsibility for the success and growth of their companies, people who in fact love what they do.”
This year, in the group of large and medium sized enterprises, two companies – SIA "LEAX Rēzekne" RSEZ and "NewFuels" RSEZ SIA – have scored the same number of points (40 points), thus "Company of the Year" award was bestowed to both winners.
The metal processing company SIA “LEAX Rēzekne” RSEZ has received the “Company of the Year” award for the second year in the row. In addition, the company became a winner in the following categories: 1st place in the nomination “Innovation of the Year”, 1st place in the nomination “Partner of the Year”, 1st place in the nomination “Socially Responsible Company”, 1st place in the nomination “Investment of the Year”, 2nd place in the nomination “Producer of the Year”, 3rd place in the nomination “Largest Exporter”. In 2019, the total turnover of the company SIA “LEAX Rēzekne” RSEZ was 18.9 million euro. The company has signed an ambitious cooperation agreement with the automotive company Volvo Cars Corporation for the production of parts for electric machines. The company has implemented CFLA project "Introduction of unique electric planetary and solar gears in production".
In addition to the title “Company of the Year”, the largest wood pellet production plant in Latvia “NewFuels” RSEZ SIA became a winner in the following categories: 1st place in the nomination “Manufacturer of the Year”, 1st place in the nomination “Largest Exporter”, 2nd place in the nomination “ The Fastest Growing Company ”, 2nd place in the nomination “The Largest Taxpayer”, 2nd place in the nomination “Partner of the Year”, 3rd place in the nomination “Investment of the Year”, 3rd place in the nomination “Socially Responsible Company”. "NewFuels" RSEZ SIA operates in the city's industrial zone since 2010; its production capacity exceeds 260,000 tons per year. In 2019, the company reached 35.2 million total euro turnover. “Newfuels” RSEZ SIA has successfully completed the ERDF project “Implementation of experimental technology in “NewFuels” RSEZ SIA plant for production of high quality pellets” in cooperation with CFLA.
In addition to the “Company of the Year” award in the group of small sized commercial enterprises, “Rēzeknes Dzirnavnieks” RSEZ AS received acknowledgement in the following categories: 1st place in the nomination “Service Provider of the Year”, 1st place in the nomination “Largest Taxpayer”, 1st place in the nomination “Investment of the Year”, 1st place in the nomination“ Socially Responsible Company”, 1st place in the nomination “Partner of the Year”, 3rd place in the nomination “Fastest Growing Company”. In 2019, the company has provided services in the amount of more than 4 million euros. The company is a stable cooperation partner for more than 1,200 farmers in Latgale and is one of the largest grain elevators in Latvia. Rezekne Academy of Technology (RTA) has nominated the enterprise as “Partner of the Year” for its significant contribution to the professional development of RTA academic staff by offering the opportunity to do an internship within the RTA project “Strengthening capacity of RTA academic staff in study fields “Mechanics and metalworking, heat power industry, heat engineering and mechanical engineering” and “Management, Administration and Real Estate Management”, as well as for support in the implementation and development of RTA study programs. Rezekne Entrepreneurs Association has also nominated RSEZ AS “Rēzeknes dzirnavnieks” as “Partner of the Year” for its active involvement in the activities of Rezekne Entrepreneurs Association.
Woodworking Company “VEREMS” RSEZ SIA was awarded for the 2nd place in the nomination “Company of the Year” in the group of large and medium sized enterprises, but “LATSTAB” RSEZ SIA was awarded for the 3rd place. In its turn, “REBIR” RSEZ AS received the award for the 2nd place in the nomination “Company of Year” in the group of small commercial enterprises, but SIA RSEZ “Rēzeknis Bryuvers” was awarded for the 3rd place.
Several companies have been acknowledged for their contribution to the development of Rezekne SEZ: RSEZ „MAGISTR- FISKEVEGN GROUP.MFG” SIA, „Energy Resources CHP” RSEZ SIA, „EsJu” RSEZ SIA, RSEZ „REDIUS” SIA, RSEZ SIA „IRBIS Technology”, RSEZ SIA „Alfa Lithium”, RSEZ SIA “Floraplanet”, and „MEGASTEEL” SIA RSEZ.
The annual award contest is organised by the Rēzekne SEZ Authority to acknowledge and pay honour to the most successful companies of Rēzekne SEZ, their products and services in accordance with the evaluation of the companies’ results for the previous year. According procedures of the contest, the companies were evaluated in 10 categories – Service Provider of the Year, Producer of the Year, Largest Taxpayer, Largest Exporter, Investment of the Year, Innovation of the Year, Fastest Growing Company, Socially Responsible Company, Partner of the Year and Enterprise of the Year.
We would like to thank all the partners who have nominated applicants in the nomination “Partner of the Year”: Rezekne City Council, Rezekne Municipality, SIA “Olimpiskais centrs Rezekne”, Latgale Embassy GORS, Rezekne Entrepreneurs Association, SIA “ALAAS”, JSC “Development Financial Institution Altum” Latgale Region Branch, CFLA Latgale Region Branch, Rezekne Academy of Technology.
Currently, the status of Rezekne SEZ commercial company has been granted to 20 enterprises. The most common industries represented by the Rezekne SEZ commercial companies are metalworking, woodworking, production of equipment and tools, storage and warehousing. In 2019, the total turnover of Rezekne SEZ commercial companies was 108 million, and the companies employed 990 people in total.