Today, the Centre of Competence

A fifteenth-anniversary celebration was held at the Danfoss Trata plant in Kamnik, Slovenia, marking its growth into a key European research and competence center for heat exchangers. The plant opened in 2011 after Danfoss relocated production from Finland to Slovenia, leveraging existing engineering expertise developed since the early 1990s. The move was necessitated by space constraints at the existing Ljubljana facility. Employees from the Ljubljana unit played a crucial role in establishing the new plant’s operations with their technical knowledge and experience. Initially focused on producing heat exchangers for district heating systems, the Kamnik site has expanded significantly over the past fifteen years. New production areas, logistics spaces, laboratories, and support functions have been added. The plant's role within the broader Danfoss organization has evolved from primarily manufacturing to incorporating development tasks, technology implementation, and expanding technical competencies. Today, the Kamnik location is a vital part of Danfoss Climate Solutions' global network, supporting clients worldwide through its products and expertise. The anniversary event on September 30 brought together employees from both Kamnik and Ljubljana, along with representatives from Danfoss management. Discussions centered on the plant’s evolution and future opportunities. Marjana Krajnc, general director of Danfoss Trata, highlighted the investments made in new production and logistical areas, laboratories, and support functions. She emphasized that the Kamnik plant has taken on an increasingly important role in product development, technology implementation, and collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEM). The position of Kamnik within the international group has also changed significantly. While production and expertise were once transferred from Finland to Slovenia, today the Kamnik location contributes to business development in other parts of the global Danfoss organization with its specialized knowledge. The plant’s expansion required more than just new facilities and modern equipment, it also demanded continuous adaptation of the workforce. As the company grew and introduced new technologies, the structure of required skills shifted. Initially, production knowledge was paramount, but today, roles in product development, automation, digitization, and process improvement have become increasingly important. According to Krajnc, the employees and their knowledge were critical to the development of the Kamnik location. Their ability to adapt allowed the company to successfully respond to periods of increased demand and production expansion, as well as market slowdowns and technological changes. She described the entire journey in one word as “change” and noted that the Kamnik team is characterized by professional knowledge, dedication, willingness to learn, and collaboration abilities, traits essential for the plant’s continued development. Danfoss aims to further strengthen Kamnik’s position as a strategic location in the coming years. The Kamnik unit began with 27 employees in 2011 and now employs over 140 individuals who develop and produce plate heat exchangers for equipment manufacturers and industrial systems, including heat pumps, district heating networks, and data center cooling. It has grown into a European research and competence center for this technology. Last year, the plant produced a record number of products used in energy-efficient heating, cooling, and industrial applications. Krajnc stated that the team exemplifies how people, professional knowledge, and adaptability can transform a production facility into a strategic center of expertise. She emphasized that the team has developed capabilities that create value for customers and strengthen the position of Danfoss Trata for the future. On the occasion of the fifteenth anniversary, Danfoss management also recognized twelve employees who have worked in Kamnik since the beginning.