In the latest episode of Think Big, the journey took us into one of the most delicate and at the same time most important industries for Albanian consumers: dairy. Inside the Lufra factory, through a story that blends technology, discipline, and human history, the episode offered a real look at what happens behind every product that reaches our table.
The interview with Inesa, Production Manager, puts the spotlight on the foundation of the entire process: technology and standards.
“The technologies we use are European and modern, mainly of Italian, German, and Swedish origin. This allows us to deliver a safe, high-quality product that meets all standards,” she explains. She also highlights the impact on daily operations: “Employees find it easier to work with the latest technologies because processes are more automated, but above all, the product meets all food safety standards, giving us full confidence in what we deliver to consumers.”
In an industry where temperature and hygiene are critical, every detail is constantly monitored. As Inesa explains, “Temperature and hygiene are extremely important and are controlled at every stage.” She adds that safety is further enhanced by how processes are designed: “Hygiene is a key element of our processes, and everything happens within the machinery, making the product even safer for consumption.”
One of the strongest elements of the system is laboratory control, carried out at multiple levels. “We have two laboratories: one that checks the milk at the beginning before any processing starts, and a central physico-chemical lab that conducts analyses throughout different stages of production,” she explains. Meanwhile, the most critical part remains microbiological control: “The microbiology lab monitors the raw material load, but more importantly, every product we produce, especially due to our ISO 22000 certification.”
On the other hand, the story of CEO Luis Ndreka brings the human and historical dimension of this journey. “It started 34 years ago, right here where we are,” he says, emphasizing that the path has not been easy. “Growth was slow. There was demand in the market, but knowledge was limited.”
According to him, development came through continuous investment: “Over the years, we have invested in technology and systems, and that’s how we have grown.” Above all, he connects success with family sacrifice: “I often say that if my parents hadn’t made the sacrifices we did for this work, Lufra wouldn’t be what it is today.”
For Ndreka, quality does not begin in the factory, but on the farm. “A good product comes from high-quality raw materials, from how the animals are fed, from the farm itself,” he emphasizes. That is why the company has strict rules for accepting milk: “We have two parameters: safety and quality. Safety determines whether we accept the milk or not, while quality determines its market value.”
He also highlights the importance of internal standards: “We have a system that continuously encourages quality improvement,” while safety parameters remain non-negotiable, including checks for possible adulteration.
Technological evolution has been constant: “The technologies we’ve invested in have evolved over time. Even in the early days, they were more primitive, but the focus on quality has always been there.” He adds that Lufra has followed international benchmarks: “We’ve taken inspiration from the best producers in the world, and that’s how we’ve reached this point.”
Still, he remains realistic about industry challenges: “There is no factory, even among the most successful in the world, that doesn’t face problems.” What makes the difference, he says, is how those problems are managed.
Looking ahead, his vision is clear and ambitious: “My vision for the future is Europe—to create specific products that can compete in parts of the European market, building a ‘Made in Albania’ identity that we can export across Europe.”
And in this journey, he sees an important role for Albanians everywhere: “The first consumers will be Albanians abroad who already know the product. They can become our first ambassadors worldwide.”
This episode was not just a visit to a factory. It was a reminder that behind every product we consume lies a complex process, a chain of decisions, and a daily commitment to doing things the right way.
At the end of the day, it is people, technology, and vision coming together to build something that goes beyond the product: trust.
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