TOWARD OCTOBER 30 – Engineer Rade Pilipović: “Orao" allowed me to grow and advance professionally!
Mechanical engineer Rade Pilipović spent more than half of his professional career at “Orao”, the company from which he eventually retired. On the occasion of October 30 – Orao Day, marking 81 years of the company’s existence, Pilipović stated that this organization taught him discipline and unity, but most importantly — it gave him the opportunity to develop and advance professionally.
Pilipović began his career in 1976 at “Pretis” in Vogošća, a company within the defense industry sector. During the wartime year of 1993, he joined “Orao” in the Technical Quality Control Department.
“At that time, in 1993, there were no engineers working in Technical Quality Control, so I was immediately assigned a position. Part of our time was spent on the front line, and the rest at work. Those were difficult years for all of us, but we endured together. After the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, ‘Orao’ decided to relocate the entire factory to Bijeljina — and we literally moved everything, down to the last screw,” recalls Pilipović.
After the company’s relocation to Bijeljina, Rade Pilipović continued his work at “Orao” in the Incoming–Outgoing Quality Control Department, where he remained until his retirement in 2016.
“Orao’s production process requires that all incoming components — from chemicals to engine parts — go through quality control procedures. I worked in that sector until my retirement, and in 2026 it will be ten years since I handed over my position to younger colleagues. Throughout my career, ‘Orao’ enabled me to grow as an engineer, to enhance my knowledge, and to learn discipline and teamwork. If we want to achieve good results, we must rely on one another and offer mutual support,” emphasized Pilipović.
He also highlighted that he always looks forward to October 30 – Orao Day, as it provides an opportunity to meet former colleagues and reminisce about the years he spent at the company.
“October 30 is a special moment for ‘Orao’ and a reminder to the entire society that the aerospace industry remains one of the key drivers of technological progress in every country,” concluded Pilipović.
