Davor Baković i Vanja Burul
Episode · #285
MOTORI RASTA Davor Baković i Vanja Burul
Guest Davor Baković i Vanja BurulHosted by Boris ŽivkovićMay 3, 2026
Davor Baković i Vanja Burul
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
We often think of industrial manufacturing in terms of moving parts or consumer goods. But some of the most critical components of our global infrastructure are static, complex, and operate at extreme scales, unseen by most. This episode brings together Davor Baković, President of Končar Measuring Transformers, and Vanja Burul, Board Member of Končar Distribution and Special Transformers. They discuss the intricate world of transformers—from devices that monitor 800-kilovolt lines to those visible on city poles—and the specialized knowledge, global reach, and talent strategies required to build them. The conversation offers a view into the hidden engineering challenges and market dynamics behind the silent giants of the power grid.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Davor Baković points out that transformers are "quite complex" even though they have no moving parts. The real engineering challenge in industrial components often lies in mastering invisible forces—thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and the physics of extreme conditions—rather than mechanical motion.
02
Končar Measuring Transformers produces units for up to 800 kilovolts, a capability shared by "a very narrow circle of companies worldwide." In specialized industrial markets, true competitive advantage often comes from dominating extreme niches that few others can even enter.
03
Končar Distribution and Special Transformers produces around 250 large power transformers annually, meaning "one such transformer leaves the factory every day," alongside over 7,000 distribution transformers. Scaling specialized industrial production means managing vastly different unit volumes for different product segments, from daily output of massive components to thousands of smaller, ubiquitous units.
04
Končar's measuring transformers export to "over 100 markets," including Central America, Poland, Canada, and Australia. Yet, Vanja Burul notes that for distribution transformers, "logistical costs" limit competitiveness in very distant markets. Even with a globally competitive product, the economics of transport can define your natural market boundaries, forcing a strategic focus on regions where the value-to-shipping-cost ratio remains favorable.
05
Beyond core electricity distribution, Končar's transformers find use in industrial settings, steel mills, and even "the transformer on an electric train." Highly specialized industrial components, while designed for a primary function, often discover a surprising array of niche applications that diversify their market footprint.
06
Both companies rely heavily on partnerships with Croatian universities like the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER) and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (FSB) in Zagreb, as well as institutions in Osijek, Rijeka, and Split, for their highly skilled workforce. For companies building complex industrial products, a robust, long-term relationship with local academic institutions is not just a hiring channel; it's a strategic pipeline for critical engineering talent.