About us
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We have been creating them with our customers since 1967. As a family and a development-oriented company with 67 employees, we are one of the leading manufacturers of pens, roller ball pens, and inks in Europe. Our development is based on good business relationships, innovative ideas, quality, and flexibility.
1967
1975
Mr. Melanšek hired the first employee who stayed in the company until his retirement.
1978
His wife, Vanda Melanšek, opened a similar craft business and the name VIVA was created from the first two syllables of their names: Viki and Vanda.
1982
Started production of ink cartridges for AERO, Celje.
1984
Gold Award at the Crafts Fair in Celje for spirit levels.
1985
- Gold Award at the Crafts Fair in Celje for an angle meter.
- Gold Award at the Crafts Fair in Celje for a spirit level housing made of foamed ABS.
1986
Construction of own premises in Nazarje.
1988
Construction of own premises in Nazarje.
1989
Purchase of the first HUTT machine for assembling and filling ink cartridges.
1989
Gold Award at the Crafts Fair in Celje for TEHNIK technical ruler.
1990
Establishment of the company VIVA trade, d.o.o.
1991
Establishment of a subsidiary company LINEA GmbH, Germany.
1991
Their daughter, Petra Melanšek, joined the company.
1994
Jože Melanšek received a GZS (Slovenian Chamber of Commerce) award for outstanding achievements in economy.
1997
Start of production of ink eraser corrector pens.
1998
Rented an additional hall in Ljubno ob Savinji.
2002
Purchase of land and laying of the foundation stone laid (11th April 2002) on a municipal holiday in the City of Celje.
2003
Commencement of business in Celje.
2004
First own ink-feeding system (V04) for the first fountain pen - SPIRIT.
2007
Petra Melanšek took over the management of the company.
2010
Petra Melanšek joins the ownership structure as an equal partner.
2011
- RGZS Gold Award for an Ink feeding system for a roller ball pen.
- GZS Gold National Award for an Ink feeding system for a roller ball pen.
2012
Petra Melanšek received a GZS (Slovenian Chamber of Commerce) award for outstanding achievements in economy.
2012
RGZS Silver Award for the project Shorty fiber pens.
2013
- RGZS Silver Award for UMS3 Device
- RGZS Gold Award for the Tool for two-sided pen and organising injection process.
- GZS Gold National Award for the Tool for two-sided pen and organising injection process.
- Best innovation chosen by the public for the Tool for two-sided pen and organising injection process.
2014
- RGZS Gold Award for the First fountain pen made of conductive ABS polymer.
- GZS Gold National Award for the First fountain pen made of conductive ABS polymer.
- GZS Gold National Award for the First fountain pen made of conductive ABS polymer.
- Silver Coat-of-Arms of the City of Celje.
2015
The 6th type of the ink feeding system was completed, giving the company a strategic advantage in the market.
2016
Received the AAA certificate of business excellence awarded by the credit rating company Bisnode, the largest partner company of the credit rating company Dun & Bradstreet.
We already achieved credit excellence in 2014, when we also obtained the certificate of credit excellence, and this year we again met the criteria and again achieved the highest AAA class.
We already achieved credit excellence in 2014, when we also obtained the certificate of credit excellence, and this year we again met the criteria and again achieved the highest AAA class.
2017
50 years Vivapen d.o.o.
2018
On January 1st 2018, Luka Melanšek (3rd generation) joins the company and starts working in the field of sales and automation. He becomes a link between sales and production, an important role for the development of the company.
2019
Launch of the “nu” line - a new model made as a fountain pen, rollerball pen and calligraphy fountain pen, with plastic and metal clip.
2020
The year was marked by the pandemic and the consequent closure of schools, resulting in cancellations and decline in orders. After years of successful and stable operation, our company was faced with great challenges.
2021
Purchase of a new all-electric plastic injection molding machine. With it, 25% of our injection molding machines are now fully electric. By 2035, we plan to change this number to 100%.
2022
The B4 (Before) pen family was welcomed to the wide range of our products, it consists of a piston fountain pen, a ballpoint pen and a technical pencil. We wanted to revive a set of pens that may have been almost forgotten by time and history.
2022
Luka Melanšek joins the ownership structure as a partner.
2023
Construction of a solar power plant.
2024
Renovation of the Vivapen website and the launch of its own online store.