About us - Zvečevo

TIMELINE

Zvečevo – a story that has lasted for more than a century

1921

The story of Zvečevo began in 1921, in a small factory that initially produced alcoholic beverages, but soon discovered its true passion – creating chocolate. By 1924, its first chocolate bars were already on the market, and the unmistakable aroma of cocoa became part of the town’s identity.

1930s

During the 1930s, the factory expanded and became a symbol of innovation. A milestone arrived in 1934, when a partnership with Swiss company Nestlé brought new knowledge, modern techniques and recipes that would shape the flavours loved by generations.

1951

In 1951, the factory officially took on the name Zvečevo, and just a few years later, in 1958, the integration of the Slavonka dairy enabled in-house production of milk powder and butter — essential ingredients for creating the finest milk chocolates.

1960s

The 1960s became a golden era of innovation, giving rise to true legends: Mikado, the world’s first rice chocolate, and the beloved Braco and Seka bars, symbols of childhood and the warmth of home. This period also saw the creation of the filled chocolates Volim te! and Samo ti!, adding a touch of gentleness and emotion to every bite.

1970s

From the 1970s onwards, the factory underwent significant modernisation, with its teams receiving training in Switzerland as part of a renewed collaboration with Nestlé. During this period, Zvečevo grew into one of the most advanced chocolate production facilities in Europe.
Entering the new millennium, the company continued to invest in technology, quality and production safety, and today Zvečevo proudly holds key international certifications and exports to demanding markets around the world.

Today

Behind all these years lies a simple truth:
some flavours don’t belong only to the past – they become part of our stories.
That’s why Mikado, Braco and Seka still live in the memories of generations, and every new chocolate carries a piece of that tradition, warmth and love for sweet craftsmanship.

About the company

Zvečevo is the chocolate you grew up with – and the first chocolate with rice in the world, later copied around the globe. Zvečevo is more than a company; it’s part of the family.

We created the world’s first Mikado chocolate with rice. It’s known and recognized worldwide, distributed across markets in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Germany, Hungary, and even Switzerland.

Both in the domestic market and in neighboring countries, Zvečevo has built a strong position, supported by its powerful brands of chocolate and alcoholic beverages.

Proof of the superior quality of Zvečevo products lies in numerous awards, national and international recognitions, and hundreds of medals for product quality — including several gold medals from the world’s most respected institutions for quality evaluation – Monde Selection, Brussels.

Misija

Our mission is sweet! We want to make your world sweeter, make you happier, and be present in your good moments, tender moments, and every occasion that deserves to be brightened up – like your birthday cake or a gift from a true friend or family member! We’re with you when you’re in love, excited, and when you radiate with joy.

Our mission is to be your little secret that makes your day better – a small piece that never disappoints. We are guided by the image of your happier life. Generations have grown up with us. May your children grow up with us too.

Vision

Our vision is guided by the desire to fulfill your wishes, demands, and needs while staying true to the quality and tradition you’re accustomed to.

The principles of our business are sustainability, responsibility, and transparency. We are focused on expanding our product range, modernizing packaging, and conquering new export markets. We aim to satisfy an even wider circle of consumers, which is why we constantly monitor your behavior, desires, and needs.

Understanding you is the foundation for creating our products and offering top-quality and value. We want to become a leading regional producer of confectionery and strong alcoholic beverages, recognized for traditionally high-quality products.

Responsibilities

Our quality policy represents the foundation of our company’s operations and improvement. A high level of quality management is the basis of successful business and a guarantee of our loyal customers’ satisfaction. The company’s plans rely on a major investment cycle for modernizing production to remain competitive in both domestic and international markets.

Quality management is carried out according to the ISO 9001:2000 standard (an internationally recognized reference standard for quality management system certification), and permanent assurance of the health safety of our products is based on HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) principles.

The company’s goal is to contribute through its products to the preservation of human health, environmental protection, and improvement of quality of life. By continuously introducing new products to the market, we aim to reflect our care for our consumers and the result of ongoing dynamic work. These are the conditions under which our brand will remain recognized as a mark of tradition, quality, and your trust. Your trust and loyalty to our products are our greatest rewards. Only the best is good enough for you!

Zvečevo has always based its operations on quality and tradition, as well as environmental care, placing it in the category of “clean technologies.” The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Croatia awarded Zvečevo the “Croatian Oscar” in the “Industry and Energy” category in 2001. Zvečevo operates according to global standards, following a preventive and environmentally friendly clean production strategy.

Management

The strong moves of the Management clearly demonstrate an understanding of future market affinities. We aim for our tradition and knowledge in chocolate production, and our technological capabilities that keep pace with global standards, to blend into new flavors, a new look, and the enduring brand of Zvečevo chocolate.

Hrvoje Alvir

CEO

Ilija Karamatić

Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Jarreau J. La Castra

Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Seung Wan Yoo

Member of the Supervisory Board

Robert La Castra

Member of the Supervisory Board

Anica Đurina

Member of the Supervisory Board