A Slovakian company tailors its business for success after the pandemic

Committed to high-quality European manufacturing, MILTEX utilised innovation and strategic partnerships to effectively manage economic challenges.

The Slovakia-based family company MILTEX is well known for its production of women’s and men’s clothing. By finding new customers both at home and abroad, it has managed to navigate the economic turmoil caused by COVID-19. 

This strategic shift has helped stabilise the company’s market position and maintain employment, thanks to innovation and strategic partnerships with the Enterprise Europe Network.

The pandemic significantly impacted commerce, particularly affecting local shops, many of which were forced to close. This disruption was especially detrimental to Slovakia’s textile, clothing, leather, and footwear industries. Additionally, EU companies faced increasing competition from Asian markets, a shortage of skilled workers, and rising labour and energy costs.

Resilience in the post-pandemic market

Founded in 2002 by Michal Milý in the small village of Rovné, in the district of Svidník, eastern Slovakia, MILTEX has built a reputation for quality. 

"Our business focuses primarily on producing women’s and men’s fashion. Our competitive advantage lies in our flexibility and our ability to quickly adapt production to meet client demands," Michal Milý explained. "Our team's extensive experience ensures that our products are technically perfect and crafted with care."

Importantly, MILTEX is committed to European manufacturing in a sector flooded with cheaper Asian imports. "Our main priority is to build lasting relationships with customers who value our products, which helps us establish our brand both in Slovakia and internationally," Milý added.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges, making the partnership with Enterprise Europe Network Slovakia crucial for MILTEX’s survival and growth. "We started working with the Network at the Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the first time at the end of 2022. The main reason was a drop in interest in our products because the main customers were ‘brick-and-mortar stores’ that had to be closed during COVID," explained Milý.

Survival as a ‘Made in EU’ manufacturer

Ján Václav of the Network Chamber of Commerce office in Slovakia noted that small companies in the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear industries, which manufacture in the EU rather than selling imported products, deserve particular attention. "We monitor these sectors closely and provide valuable information and support. We reached out to MILTEX in November 2022, when the company had been on the market for 20 years," Václav said.

Václav further explained that small companies face substantial challenges, including foreign competition and rising energy costs. "For many small businesses like MILTEX, competing with Asian manufacturers and coping with the high costs of labour and energy in the EU is a daily struggle. The goal is to survive as a 'Made in EU' manufacturer," he added.

The Network in Slovakia has supported companies through joint events and missions. "In 2023, we organised a company mission to the Czech Republic, which was also offered to MILTEX," Václav said. This small but significant support from Enterprise Europe Network Slovakia has contributed to MILTEX’s stability. 

"While market share may not have changed dramatically, the company found new customers, which helped stabilise its position and maintain employment," Václav pointed out. "The company mission organised by the Network is an effective way to connect with multiple companies and potential clients in one place," he concluded.