EmBRACE - We have been approved for a new project titled: Development and production of dining-room set of products from combination of wood and metal materials for EU market

Dear Sir/Madam,
We are pleased to inform you that the company Medex obrt, Hrvatskih dragovoljaca 230, Stari Slatnik, 35 253, Brodski Stupnik, Croatia, Tel. 035 426 877, medex@medex.hr, in cooperation with the company Reflex d.o.o., Brezik Laminci 620, 78400 Gradiška, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tel. +387 51 862 020, reflexnamjestaj@gmail.com, as part of the Small Project Fund (“EmBRACE” - Enhancing MSEs sustainaBle gRowth And CompEtitiveness) Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021-2027 Programme, has been approved for a new project.

Objectives and Purpose of the Project

The project titled "Development and production of dining-room product sets (table, chair, bench) combining wood and metal for the EU market" aims to develop a new product set based on new technologies for the European market. The challenge within this project is to create an innovative, attractive, modern, functional, and environmentally friendly product set that meets the strict design, production, and market requirements of demanding customers.

The key goals of the project are to create a joint product set combining wooden and metal materials by applying new technologies such as HPL foil gluing on panels and new cone bending technology for sheet metal. Benefits will be achieved for the companies, their employees, customers, and local communities.

Currently, both companies produce parts according to customer orders and technical specifications. As a result of the cooperation between Medex obrt and Reflex d.o.o., a set of new and complete products will be created, which both companies will offer to the targeted EU market.

The key change within the project is increasing added value from the production process; instead of just manufacturing parts according to customer specifications, the final product will be manufactured and offered to end customers. In other words, this project aims to create proprietary products for both companies. Benefits will include: both companies (through new products, independent entry into demanding markets, integration into European trends, increased competitiveness), employees (ensuring long-term job security, improved working conditions, and creation of attractive jobs), municipalities (increased company turnover and promotion of successful companies), and technical high schools (good practice examples for students).

Within the project implementation, joint development of a family of new products using cross-border cooperation mechanisms is planned. The key reason for cross-border cooperation is the experience and knowledge possessed by these two companies. Medex has extensive knowledge and experience in metal shaping and metal parts, specific to the furniture and equipment industry, while Reflex d.o.o. has extensive knowledge and experience in wood panel production and processing. The combination of this expertise will surely lead to achieving the project’s goals.

The project will realize three program indicators related to:
• Introduction of product or process innovations within the companies (RCR 03),
• Joint development and implementation of pilot activities within the project (RCO 84), and
• Jointly developed solutions (RCO 116).

The key results of the project include:
1. A study resulting from the analysis of products and market trends.
2. Industrial design solutions for the table, chair, and bench (product set) with 2 sub-variants depending on shape, design, and pattern.
3. Technology improvements for both companies, achieved by acquiring two missing technologies to create new industrially designed products: for Reflex, an HPL foil cutting machine, and for Medex, a cone bending machine for sheet metal.
4. Production of prototypes of the product set (table, chair, bench) based on a wood-metal combination with visible HPL foil. Reflex will produce the wooden part, Medex the metal part.
5. Testing at least one product (chair) in an accredited laboratory.
6. Participation in at least one trade fair in the EU territory. This activity will be jointly carried out by both companies.
7. Printing at least 100 promotional brochures.
8. Joint solution for assessing successful cooperation.

Project activities include:
1. Product and market requirements analysis,
2. Industrial design of the new product set based on wood and metal combination,
3. Technical and operational preparation for production,
4. Procurement of missing technologies for Reflex and Medex,
5. Prototype development,
6. Product testing, and
7. Promotional activities.

Total project value: The development and production of dining-room product sets (table, chair, bench) combining wood and metal materials for the EU market amounts to EUR 230,236.87, of which the Small Project Fund EmBRACE under the Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro 2021-2027 Programme co-finances 85%, or EUR 195,701.34.

Project duration: 04.02.2025 – 03.02.2026.

Project implementation locations: For Medex obrt, the project location is in the municipality of Brodski Stupnik, Brod-Posavina County, Croatia; for Reflex d.o.o., the location is the municipality of Gradiška, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

More information at: https://cbchb.eu/cbc-cro-bih-mne/embrace/