Mladen Bakran – Head of Primary and Carpentry Production
Mladen Bakran is a prime example of how leadership doesn’t have to come from outside an organization – it can grow from within, through daily work, learning, and leading by example. Today, he is one of the key figures in Prostoria’s production – someone whose knowledge, experience, and dedication directly shape what the company creates every day.
When Prostoria was founded, Mladen was among the very first employees and led product development. At the time, there were no established procedures or developed departments, but there was a strong sense of enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. He led the team that created the first, now iconic, pieces of Prostoria furniture.
„We literally started from scratch. There were no templates or ready-made processes. We improvised, explored, and learned from one another – all in collaboration with the designers.“
Those first two years were intense but incredibly exciting: each new product was the result of teamwork, open communication, and a great deal of patience. Mladen’s leadership and collaborative, hands-on approach left a strong mark on the early development process.
Over time, his interest increasingly turned toward solid wood. He took the initiative to start a new carpentry division, helped relocate the old production site, planned the procurement of new machinery, and worked on integrating modern technologies.
„I quickly fell in love with working with wood. I began learning everything about its properties, drying, and processing. The whole process completely captivated me.“
Today, as Head of Primary and Carpentry Production, Mladen oversees crucial parts of the production chain: from sourcing logs and supervising the sawmill and drying processes to the actual production of solid wood furniture. Under his leadership, the sawmill, drying facility, and finishing plant were established – strategic points that enable Prostoria to maintain full control over its production process.
Mladen now manages a team of over 70 people, and his daily responsibilities include ensuring deadlines are met, supporting employees, and constantly improving processes.
„In this job, you must stay one step ahead – always looking for new solutions and technologies that make you faster, more precise, and more efficient. Working at Prostoria fulfills me and makes me both happy and proud. Every day brings its own challenges, and I’ve learned how to face each of them – that kind of environment keeps me motivated.”
Despite his long tenure at Prostoria, Mladen still sees every day as a new opportunity for growth.
„Working with a great team is what fulfills me the most. We build everything together – and every good result comes from our collective effort.“
There’s also a personal layer to Mladen’s story – his wife, Dubravka Bakran, also works at Prostoria.
„We mostly see each other during lunch breaks, but after work we often share impressions. It helps that she knows exactly what I’m going through – we spent years working together in product development, so she really understands the demands of my job and how much time it takes to keep things running smoothly.“
