Work Organization Biscuit and Wafer Factory "Lasta"

The work organization for the production of biscuits and wafer products "Lasta" Čapljina grew out of a craft bakery and butcher shop established in 1952. It was a small local company that until 1956 dealt with the production of insignificant quantities of bread and the procurement and sale of meat for the needs of the then small town of Čapljina. As there were no necessary own basic means, 14 employed workers achieved very modest business results. In 1955, the company had a business loss (the only one in the 36 years of "Lasta's" existence), which was more reason to seek new production programs. In the considerations about new development programs, the idea of acquiring a steam bakery for the production of bread and biscuits emerged. On the Day of Liberation of Čapljina, October 26, 1956, a used steam bakery was put into operation and the first ton of bread was produced in one shift. After less than two months, another 14 workers were employed who, through manual labor on three repaired, previously decommissioned machines for biscuit production, produced 50 kg of this product in one shift. In the following years, the collective made maximum efforts to purchase new machines and improve production. Thanks to such efforts and the self-denial of employees, production was tenfold by the following year, 1957.