The conversion to the manufacture which strictly observes environmental standards as one of the main criteria for its launching increasingly penetrates the human conscience. The idea about Greenline ecologically friendly vessels is the fruit of this awareness and of the important belief that one should not fully give up pleasures such as nautics, but instead adapt to the nature and to its self-cleansing abilities. Typical motor yachts frequently impersonate human vanity. Many a wealthy person of the new era demonstrates this by the roaring engines of more than one thousand horse power, which swallow incredible quantities of fuel and emit foul-smelling fumes.

The different orientation of Seaway is perceptible right from the outset. The reception makes an impression of an entrance to a house of arts where everything is in a state of transition from one condition to another.  People greet one another cordially as they rush up and down the stairs. A board in the reception displays ten values which the company considers the best for its operation. Three of these will catch the eye immediately: modesty is listed as first, a look to the future paying respect to tradition and humour. These are the values that inspire respect for the environment; they are a mental heritage and a true starting point for playfulness as the foundation of true creativity.  The values closely binding the collective of now about 250 workers, of which 60, mostly engineers, are from abroad.  The values summarised through his own experience by the owner, one of the best known and most interesting Slovenians, Japec Jakopin, a cardiologist by education. Despite an impressive medical career he listened to his heart, took to nautics and succeeded. When you see his colleagues, you cannot overlook the importance of Seaway in their lives and the contribution made to this by their unconventional boss. Seaway is a living proof that innovation and breakthroughs of the new industrial philosophy may arise only in those environments which believe in themselves and draw on conventionality only so as to avoid inventing everything anew.

Their first product, the Greenline Hybrid, which was launched in 2009, is, of course, the embodiment of this newness. Its low silhouette with a dominant body, a somehow ascetically straight prow and a low superstructure deck is in a striking contrast with motor boats of muscular bodies and sometimes almost baroque superstructure decks, which cut deep furrows through the sea plains. Its shape grows on you gradually. Its elegance is hidden in its extraordinary details, in the proportion of the body and the discreet superstructure, in the beautifully executed flat roof covered by sun cells manufactured by the Slovenian company, Bisol, in outstanding lines of the interior decoration; in short, we are practically talking about a work of art. The form is in conformity with the new view of the efficiency of product: the newly designed hull called Superdisplacement displaces water almost without any resistance, as it makes almost no waves up to a speed of around five knots (approximately 8.5 km/h), which, of course, contributes to a considerable reduction in the use of fuel. As the basic condition, the boat uses an Audi diesel engine, which develops 75 horse power in the weaker version and 165 horse power in the stronger version and is considered one of the most economic in the car industry. So far, the model is classical, as the true value is added only by the hybrid system consisting of lithium batteries and solar cells fuelling the electric hybrid system. This system enables the operation of all electric appliances (refrigerators, TV, navigation machines and other electric appliances) as well as independent propulsion as the hybrid may, when its batteries are full and when it is charged simultaneously, cover up to 25 nautical miles at the speed of 6 knots (almost 10 km/h). In view of the fact that the emissions of Audi engines are four times lower than in average motor yachts, the electric propulsion runs without any emissions and is, in this respect, even cleaner than in sailing boats which need generators for their electric appliances.

Even those familiar with nautics only superficially will know what this means. And since there are quite a few such people around the world, Seaway sold as many as 220 Hybrids 33 in 2010, which was the first year of sales, thus snatching an absolute victory in the category of vessels up to ten metres long. 

Of course, Seaway goes on. By slightly reducing the production of its carbon sailboats Shipman and large yachts Skagen manufactured in Monfalcone, Italy, it is now preparing for the construction of a large plant in Puconci in north-eastern Slovenia which will produce hybrids. In addition, Seaway managed to acquire about 12 million euro of European and other resources which will help it launch new production next year. Last spring, namely, a larger model, Greenline Hybrid 40, raised a wave of admiration while Hybrid 70, a hybrid ocean class yacht of over 21 m, is being launched these days. Moreover, Seaway is the only global company currently manufacturing hybrid vessels. As I wondered why this market niche had not been snapped up by others, Jakopin only smiled: 'I think this is because we have worked with all the major manufacturers, and they want to maintain good relations.' Fair play in the business world? Yes, this is possible – even among sailors!

Elan is a factory which has surprised the global ski market by several radical innovations which have had a decisive impact on ski manufacturing. A good three decades ago those skis brought countless triumphs to Ingemar Stenmark, who still holds the crown for the most successful skier with his 85 world cup victories; at the turn of the century, it was the first carving skis, SCX, that determined the further course of alpine skis; five years ago it was the fusion system uniting skis and their bindings in one; and finally, along came waveflex technology allowing for an excellent flexibility along the length as well as great transverse stability. With the amphibio ski, Elan now presents a technology uniting the capability of skis of a light pass to a curve (called rocker technology) and the capability of firmly keeping the direction and stability (camber). These two characteristics generally exclude each other.

Elan's head of development, Vinko Avguštin, is truly ascetic when it comes to self-praise and expression of joy over a wok well done, he admitted that the product really had passed with flying colours.  His modesty and sensibility guarantee that the development department will come up with many more inventions and not rest on its laurels.

Elan , a factory for skis, nautical vessels and sports equipment, which has been one of the five best-known trademarks of Slovenia's industry for half a century.

Seaway , a rapidly growing company which started as a nautical engineering service, designing and implementing logistical tasks for all the major European manufacturers of vessels, today builds its own vessels, having become a recognised Slovenian trademark in a few years.