Hermi marks 40 years of expertise, innovation, and protection against lightning
This year, the Slovenian company Hermi celebrates its 40th anniversary. Founded in 1985 by Herman Rauter, whose pioneering vision in developing more durable and innovative lightning protection components laid the groundwork for today’s success, Hermi has grown from a small workshop into an internationally recognized manufacturer of lightning and surge protection systems, cable trays and ladders, and mounting structures for solar power plants. Today, the company is led by his son Miran Rauter, a former elite alpine skier and Olympian, who has strengthened his father’s legacy through continuous innovation, digital transformation, and international expansion.
Hermi employs around 150 people at home and abroad. Its headquarters and production facilities are located in Celje, with a branch office in Trzin and four affiliated companies abroad. Each year, Hermi produces over 18.2 million individual components, with output varying according to the complexity of production processes. nder the Hermi brand, the company offers a portfolio of over 8,000 products and provides installation services in the Slovenian market. Hermi’s solutions are available in more than 50 countries worldwide, with 60 percent of total revenue generated internationally – primarily in markets where the company operates subsidiaries: Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Austria. Other key markets include Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Germany.
Hermi’s lightning protection solutions safeguard critical national infrastructure, including the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, the Zlatoličje Hydroelectric and Solar Power Plants, and the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant. Beyond these flagship projects, Hermi’s systems also protect numerous industrial facilities, shopping centers, airports, religious buildings, and residential structures around the world. To date, more than 200,000 sites globally have been equipped with Hermi products.
“Knowledge, dedication, and respect are the values on which we have built for four decades,” says Miran Rauter, the company’s director and owner. “Our products protect everything – from family homes to the largest energy facilities. This trust inspires us to remain innovative, responsible, and focused on the future.”
With its dedicated R&D department, more than 12 patents, and 9 registered industrial designs, Hermi continues to develop cutting-edge technical solutions. Among its most notable innovations is the patented Fast Klick® cable tray system, which enables fast, tool-free installation without the use of screws. Hermi is an active member of professional and industry associations, contributes to the development of technical standards, and supports designers, engineers, and installers through a variety of training and educational programs.
The company’s growth is driven by continuous investment in infrastructure, automation, robotization, and the digitalization of both production and business processes. In 2021, Hermi built and opened a new 6,000 m² production facility in the Trnovlje – South Business Zone, effectively tripling its production capacity. Plans are already in motion for an additional 4,000 m² facility, which will feature new automated production lines and robotic stations. Over the past three years, the company has also expanded its warehouse and office spaces in Zagreb, Sarajevo, and Belgrade.
Hermi remains a family-owned company with a strong sense of community and social responsibility. Through scholarship programs in Slovenia and its international subsidiaries, it supports high school and university students. Since the 2021/22 school year, Hermi has also provided sports scholarships to promising young athletes. The company actively supports youth development, collaborates with schools and universities, and promotes apprenticeships and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
Hermi’s reputation as a reliable manufacturer of high-quality solutions is built on a commitment to innovation and excellence. Its products are designed to meet professional standards, ensure quick and efficient installation, and provide reliable, cost-effective, and long-term solutions for investors. The company’s development team has received numerous awards for innovation and technological breakthroughs, while CEO Miran Rauter has been recognized with multiple honours, including the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia Award for outstanding economic and entrepreneurial achievements, a nomination for Entrepreneur of the Year 2023, and the Bronze Coat of Arms of the Municipality of Celje.