About us
Zvijezda plus company has been active on the Croatian market for 107 years. Since its foundation, it has always been synonymous with quality and tradition.
Its brands, oil, margarine and mayonnaise, developed from the very heart of the sunflower, are the top choice of Croatian consumers, which has been confirmed by the results of independent research conducted by expert agencies year after year. Nowadays, with the help of its brands Zvijezda, Margo and Omegol, Zvijezda can successfully meet the needs of even the most demanding consumers.
Zvijezda’s products are made from natural, carefully selected, high-quality ingredients using technological procedures that preserve all the valuable content. Oils, margarines, mayonnaise, ketchup and mayonnaise-based sauces are produced under the Zvijezda brand. Own manufacture also includes Margo spreadable margarines, the special Omegol line of functional food products, and since 2021, the Planet of Plants product line. Zvijezda also distributes commercial goods under its own brand, such as vinegar, frying oil, pumpkin seed oil, additives, olives and canned vegetables. It also distributes cheeses by Belje and products by Dijamant.
Zvijezda plus d.o.o., the company is part of the Fortenova Group.
Originality, excellence and popularity
The values that distinguish Zvijezda products are their originality, excellence and popularity. Owing to their own traditional recipes and high-quality raw materials, Zvijezda products are rated as high-trust products by consumers who gladly remain loyal to the brand. Zvijezda’s assortment of foods is modern, innovative, always trendy and has an appealing visual identity. Innovations in packaging, as well as the constant development of new flavours, are part of Zvijezda’s business direction.
The success of Zvijezda on the market is the success of the entirety of its team. With their work, knowledge and skills, all the Zvijezda employees contribute to the quality of Zvijezda products that meet the needs of a contemporary lifestyle.
Mission and vision
Mission
Zvijezda is the leading regional producer of top-quality edible oils and sauces and the only Croatian producer of margarine, mayonnaise, mayonnaise-based products and ketchup that has been setting local food trends for more than a century.
Our mission is to be the first choice for all your amazing memories and delicious meals, from breakfast to dinner – always there for YOU.
Vision
Zvijezda wants to remain a strong, innovative regional leader in the development, production and distribution of oils, sauces and other related products. We focus on continuous improvement and providing trust and integrity to our employees, consumers, the community and the environment.
The history
of Zvijezda
On 15 September 1916, a founding assembly was held in Zagreb at which, upon the permission of the then Royal Country Government, a joint-stock company named PRVA HRVATSKA TVORNICA ULJA (FIRST CROATIAN OIL FACTORY) was established, and according to its founding act, its objective was: “to build an oil factory, exploit all kinds of oilseeds, and sell the products of its making.”
The factory began its operations in 1917. That summer, the first production of pumpkin seed and sunflower oil was started in the premises at the Palmotićeva 82 address. That same year, a total of 800,000 litres of oil were produced. In 1920, the first factory in the Palmotićeva Street became too small. The production premises were thus moved to the Branimir Street.
In 1924, the production of refined edible oil was started. The production capacity of 35 tonnes covered 55% of the total oil consumption in the country. The daily capacity of the refinery was around 4 tonnes of edible oil per 24 hours. In 1935, automatic presses were installed, which helped achieve a capacity of 35 tonnes of refined oil produced per day.
In 1946, the name “Prva hrvatska tvornica ulja d.d.” was stricken, and the company was registers under the new name TVORNICA ULJA – CRVENA ZVIJEZDA, ZAGREB (OIL FACTORY – RED STAR, ZAGREB). Since 31 December 1946, it has been called TVORNICA ULJA Zagreb (abbreviated as TUZ). In 1957, land in the part of Zagreb named Žitnjak with a surface area of 56 ha was purchased, where a hydraulic power unit was built.
In 1952, the first important research works began at TVORNICA ULJA as part of the first factory laboratory for production control. The delivery of raw materials to the crushing facility was also mechanised, and an oilseeds dryer was built. The largest repurchase of sunflowers up to that time (a record beaten only in 1962)
In 1956, the first production of MARGARINE began with one production line, and thus Zvijezda became the first producer of this type of food in the country. The market accepted the new product very quickly. With its quality and suitable packaging, it satisfied the taste of consumers and was widely used in cooking.
In 1959, the production of VEGETABLE BUTTER OIL (nowadays called vegetable fat) and FATS begins. This was another item from the group of solid vegetable fats that was also quickly accepted by the market, especially the food industry (bakery, confectionery and pastry industry).
Back in 1959, the history of one of the strongest Croatian brands began, when the production of MAYONNAISE (in a tube) was started. At the beginning of production, the composition was often changed in order to adapt the quality and type to market requirements.
In 1965, the production of mayonnaise in foil began. Domestic production thus gained its real momentum in the early 1980s, when a new line for the continuous production of mayonnaise began its operation at Zvijezda. The only producer of mayonnaise in Croatia
In 1967, the production of different types of margarine for industrial use (BV, LT, BB) began, which was a novelty in the country at the time. A new product in the bakery industry, the additive called PEKOL, was launched on the market in 1970.
At the end of 1981, the first mayonnaise-based salads with vegetables and meat were offered to consumers. In 1986, Zvijezda’s sauces, which are also mayonnaise-based products, were place on the market.
In 1981, a new line for the continuous production of mayonnaise was put into operation. At the end of 1981, the production of new types of spreadable margarine under the name of “MARGO” began.
In 1984, Zvijezda launched a new type of margarine called “GAMA”, intended for cooking and frying, in 500-gram packages.
In 1993, Zvijezda became part of the Agrokor concern, and thus, it was modernised, technologically perfected with increased distribution and a marketing strategy, representing one of the largest operators of the Croatian economy.
In 1995, Prva hrvatska tvornica ulja d.d. (First Croatian Oil Factory, joint-stock company) changed its name to Zvijezda d.d. With product quality, the strength of its brands and distribution, Zvijezda managed to reach global standards and strengthened its position on the market.
In 2005, the production of Omegol oil and Omegol spread began. This was Zvijezda’s first line of functional products that contribute to the preservation of blood vessels, reduce blood cholesterol levels and are targeted to everyone who is mindful of a healthy diet and chooses a modern and healthy lifestyle, and they were the first of its kind on the Croatian market rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids
In 2006, Zvijezda d.d. celebrated the 90th anniversary of its existence, on the occasion of which the logo and products of the Zvijezda brand were redesigned.
Owing to their own traditional recipes and high-quality raw materials, Zvijezda products are rated as high-trust products by consumers who gladly remain loyal to the brand.
Zvijezda celebrated its 100 years of existence, and with its recognisable product flavours, Zvijezda traditionally became a staple in many households across Croatia. Zvijezda continued to work on the quality of its products and the introduction of new ones in order to adapt to the current needs of its loyal customers. In 2016, Zvijezda started producing its own ketchup, recognising the product’s potential and consumer habits, and continued to work on the quality of its products and the introduction of new ones in order to adapt to the current needs of its loyal consumers.
Once the settlement was approved by the creditors and confirmed by the decision of the Commercial Court in Zagreb in July 2018 in the extraordinary administration procedure over Agrokor d.d. and its subsidiaries and related companies, the process of preparing its implementation began. On 1 April 2019 (the date of the start of the settlement), the transfer of the economic entity to Fortenova Grupa d.d., i.e. to Zvijezda plus d.o.o., a company owned by Fortenova Grupa, was carried out.
Planet of Plants is the first Croatian plant-based product line that can now be found on store shelves. It is an innovative line of products that are 100% of plant origin, developed and produced jointly by Zvijezda and PIK Vrbovec. The collaboration of two domestic producers of the Fortenova Group has resulted in as many as nine products that are 100% plant-based, with 100% of the flavour; meaning they do not contain eggs, gluten and soy, which is why they are suitable for vegans and vegetarians, as well as for flexitarians.