Bobus: Freight transportation across the Western Balkans

Bobus was established in March 2003 in Podgorica, Montenegro, as a natural continuation of a family business which started with the opening of the bakery “Stankovic”, set up in 1995 in the Stankovic family-home.

While the bakery was making a name for itself with its recognised high-quality products, a year later, the family opened a kiosk called "Red Rose". The kiosk sold a wide range of items such as tobacco products, printing and school supplies, toys, cosmetics, phone accessories and all sorts of bits and bobs that people might need from a corner-store.

In the year 2000, the company bought its first truck to meet its own immediate transportation needs. With time, however, the transport activity grew and soon became the most important segment of the overall business. The Stankovic family has since committed itself to providing high quality service and securing strong customer loyalty.

With its fleet of 11 trucks, the main service offered is now freight transport by road, throughout the region, from Montenegro to Bosnia and Hercegovina and Serbia, even reaching as far as destinations in northern Croatia.

In order to boost the business, Bobus turned to Crnogorska Komercijalna Banka (CKB), who offered them a loan to purchase a new truck that meets the company’s needs in terms of the type and size of containers transported.

This loan, granted with the help of an EU guarantee through EIF, allowed Bobus to expand their destinations and broaden the scope of their business. Without it, they would have had to look into a smaller vehicle, with subsequent limitations on their transportation potential. As a result of this increased activity, Bobus has been able to hire three additional employees, bringing the company total to 18.

Company: Bobus (Montenegro)

Type of business: transportation

EIF financing: COSME LGF

Financial intermediary: CKB -  Crnogorska Komercijalna Banka

For further information about EIF intermediaries in Montenegro, please refer to: http://www.eif.org/what_we_do/where/me