Lufra's digital transformation, for an Albanian industry, with European standards
“To have an Albanian brand that is not only ours, but the entire industry, that we can export to all of Europe.” This is the vision articulated by Lufra CEO Luis Ndreka, a statement that goes beyond the ambition of a single company and aims to position Albania as a new standard in the dairy industry. For more than three decades in the market, Lufra’s journey reflects not only the complete digital transformation of the company, according to the demands of the times, but also the modernization of farms and the dairy industry in the country, according to European standards.
In a special episode of the podcast "Think Big", hosted by Gert Boshnjaku, the team was in the Lufra chain of operations in Lushnja, following the entire digitalized process, which starts much earlier, on the farms, until it reaches the factory.
Explaining the "milk route", the collaboration with around 140 farms, from the smallest to the largest, with up to 1,000 cows, Ndreka emphasized the care and high safety and hygiene control protocols, starting from animal feed, the milking process, detailed milk analyses for compliance with parameters, and continuing at every stage of production until the product reaches the market.
To improve and standardize these processes, Lufra has invested over the years in advanced technology but also in the training of employees and farmers, building an entire quality ecosystem that guarantees the final product.
"In the early years, my parents, when they started this business, did not have this developed technology, however, they had very strong foundations in the way they should work. They always had quality as their main priority. They had to have a quality product to enter the market strongly and stay in the market for the long term. Every investment, even in technology, has come in the wake of this priority."
The automation of production processes in Lufra came as a need for consistency and control. “With quality in focus, our choice has gone towards the most well-known brands, so today we have machinery with the best international brands in the factory. Technology is one of the main elements in guaranteeing the quality and safety of the product. It reduces the margin of human error. The moment you can automate this work in a technological process, it gives you consistency. And with this principle, the guarantee increases exponentially.” – he says.
However, as the CEO emphasizes, technology is not enough if it is not accompanied by trained people and strong protocols. “Regardless of the investments in technology that you can make, if you do not have well-trained people and very strong protocols, quality is not achieved, which is our priority. Analysis must be done at every step, in every key process, not just in the final product, to prevent the problem,” he said.
At a time when many businesses face challenges in human resources, Lufra follows a different model: long-term investment in training, improvement of working conditions and continuous motivation. The result is an organizational culture that does not depend on the labor market, but is built from within. "We are not one of those businesses that "suffer" for people today. This is probably due to the good work we have done over the years, with training and continuous improvements in working conditions, and most importantly, motivation," emphasizes Ndreka.
So the key to success is the integration of technology with human resources, specialized for each link in the process. "We have understood from the beginning that you cannot stop the change that time or technology brings, but to approach it and think about how to benefit as soon as possible from the great opportunities that technology offers. We have always tried to be avant-garde, to advance. Technology helps us to fulfill two goals: to reduce costs and to maintain the highest quality standard. Today we talk about AI, data, digitalization and we have tried to incorporate it into each link of the so-called "milky way" which has become digital," explains Ndreka.
Lufra's digital transformation has taken place and marked the first successes in the dairy industry. But Lufra has another strategic objective: creating a brand that represents not just a company, but an entire industry. From "Made in Albania" as an origin, towards "Made in Albania" as a standard. And if the vision is realized, Lufra will not only be a success story, but a model for how an Albanian industry can grow, standardize and proudly export to Europe.
Where does Albania get its vegetables? Germany and Greece are the main suppliers. Imports at record levels in February
Imports of vegetables into Albania continue to remain at high levels, reflecting a sustained dependence on foreign markets for the supply of basic food......
Why did the prices of agricultural products increase? - Traders "blame" oil, but say that domestic production will lower prices
In recent days, there has been a rise in the prices of fruits and vegetables, especially some of them that are considered important on the table of Albanian......
Do foreigners pay more for property in Albania? Investropa: The price can often increase by up to 10%
Foreigners are becoming increasingly present in the real estate market in Albania. According to data from the Bank of Albania and Real Estate, a portion of......
Railway budget, 91% realization - Report / Foreign financing went to Tirana-Durrës-Rinas and Rrogozhina-Pogradec
The budget program "Railway Transport" for 2025 presents a high level of implementation, reflecting progress in the implementation of projects in this......
Tirana leads in complaints in public procurement - KPP: 11.2 million lek will be collected in the state budget
During February, a total of 68 complaints regarding tendering procedures were filed with the Public Procurement Commission, reflecting the ongoing disputes......
Europe, "targeted" in the crisis after Asia - Energy shock/ What does the closure of the Strait of Hormuz bring?
The oil crisis that is affecting Asia due to the war in the Middle East warns of difficult times for Europe as well, with the economies of countries on the......
KESH imported energy throughout 2025 - The purchase invoice reached 272.2 million euros. 6.7 million euros were generated from the sale
The total bill for energy purchases reached 272.2 million euros including VAT, in 2025, according to data from the Energy Regulatory Authority. In total,......
What do businesses complain about the most? - 298 complaints were filed in one year with the Taxpayers' Advocate
298 complaints were filed with the Taxpayer Advocate during 2025 electronically and officially. Referring to the annual report of this institution, after......
