“Sports helped me develop a mindset that is now very useful in business: never give up, constantly look for ways to do better and work effectively with a team,” says Jonas Elvikis, director of Bagfactory. These thoughts are based on Elvikis’ experience – he has managed leading companies and played professional basketball for more than a decade.
How does J. Elvikis feel working at Bagfactory? What were his first impressions when he joined the company? What does the director see as unique here and how does he think Bagfactory will look in the near future?
Find out all this and more in a short interview with the CEO of Bagfactory.
– What was your first impression when you started working at Bagfactory? What had you heard about the company before?
My first impression was extremely positive – when I joined Bagfactory, I immediately felt the strong energy, hard work, responsibility, and motivation of the team. From the very beginning, it was clear that people here are united not only by the desire to achieve the best results, but also by a genuine belief in what we do.
Even before joining, I knew that Bagfactory was one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of eco-friendly, reusable non-woven bags, with international recognition and partnerships with global retail chains such as Lidl and Aldi.
However, what impressed me the most was that ecology is not just a nice word or a marketing tool here, but a real principle that the company and its people live by every day. It was this approach that motivated me to become part of a team that thinks responsibly, acts innovatively, and truly creates change.
– Tell us more about your work experience. Where did you gain your knowledge and skills?
Before joining Bagfactory, I gained more than a decade of management experience in various manufacturing, supply, and industrial companies, ranging from sales and export to business development. It was a period full of challenges and growth, when I had to not only achieve results, but also develop strategies, form teams, and contribute to the development of companies.
I gained much of this experience while managing the sales department at one of the largest polyethylene film manufacturers in the Baltic States. It was then that I realized that success is not measured solely by numbers – the most important thing is to create solutions that provide value to both customers and the environment.
These experiences gave me a broad understanding of production process management, team motivation, and long-term business value creation. However, most importantly, they taught me to view business through the prism of people, trust, and consistency – the very things that ultimately lead to sustainable success.
– Bagfactory positions itself as an eco-friendly company. What is your relationship with sustainability?
Sustainability is not just a business direction for me – it is a personal value. The more I learn, the more I understand that it is not just a trendy term, but everyday choices that really make a difference. Especially when you become a father – you begin to understand more clearly what kind of world we will leave to our children. I believe that both businesses and each of us can contribute to a more sustainable future, even with small steps.
I am glad that Bagfactory’s philosophy is very close to my personal views. Here, sustainability is not just a declaration – we are actually implementing solutions that reduce pollution, promote recycling, and encourage responsible consumption. This is important to me because I know that real change starts with a sincere desire to do better – both at work and in life.
– How does Bagfactory differ from other companies?
We may not be completely unique among other good examples in the industry, but Bagfactory is a lively, dynamic organization where no one stands still. We are constantly looking for better, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly solutions. Unlike many traditional manufacturing companies, sustainability is not a separate project or trend for us – it is part of our everyday life and the basis of all our activities.
It is because of this approach that we can confidently call ourselves one of the leaders in the industry. Here, people come to work not only to perform tasks, but to create meaning – to change attitudes towards packaging, the environment, and the future. Every member of the team knows that they are contributing to real change. And that is what makes us strong – a common goal, pride in what we do, and the belief that change starts with us.
– Tell us about your daily life and hobbies outside of work.
I have spent a large part of my life – more than a decade – involved in sports, so an active lifestyle is still an integral part of my daily routine. For me, exercise is not only physical activity, but also a way to clear my mind, regain balance, and recharge my batteries.
After work during the warmer months, I often choose cycling, sports, or trips to nature and the sea – places where I can disconnect from my routine and just be. I enjoy sitting around a campfire with friends, cozy conversations under the open sky, and the pleasures of the sauna. Such evenings allow me to pause, breathe, and savor life.
Another passion of mine is food. I enjoy cooking, tasting, and discovering new flavors – it’s like taking little trips that enrich both my everyday life and my imagination.
In my free time, I try to spend as much time as possible with my family. It is important for me to maintain a balance between my professional goals and my personal life – although it is not always easy, it is my loved ones who give me inner motivation and remind me why it is worth striving.
For me, life is about constant movement, discoveries, and experiences. Whether it’s a walking trail, a city street, or a kitchen with a new recipe, the most important thing is that every day is full of meaning and vitality.
– Can years of experience in sports be applied to work?
Without a doubt. Years of experience in professional sports have taught me not only discipline and responsibility, but also to strive for results regardless of the circumstances. Sport shapes a strong mentality – never give up, constantly look for ways to do better, stay focused even when everything is falling apart, and look for a way out.
I learned to work in a team – to listen to others, seek compromises, and work together toward a common goal. Most importantly, I realized that every defeat is not a failure, but an opportunity to grow, improve, and come back stronger.
Team management, communication, strategic thinking, and stress resistance are skills that I brought with me from the sports field to the business world. Today, they help me create, lead, and pursue goals with the same passion I had when I was on the field.
– Where do you see Bagfactory in the next 3-5 years?
I believe that in the coming years, Bagfactory will become one of the companies that are changing the global packaging market. The company will grow steadily in terms of both quantity and quality, thanks to the strong relationships we are building with our customers and our ability to adapt quickly and responsibly to the rapidly changing packaging regulations in the European Union.
The coming years will be particularly significant for the packaging industry, with the entry into force of the new EU regulation PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), which will fundamentally change the operating principles of the entire market. Bagfactory is actively monitoring these changes and systematically preparing for the upcoming requirements. We are already well prepared to comply with the provisions of the new regulation, both in terms of technology and processes.
In the near future, we plan to invest in another modern production line, which will increase our capacity and help us continue our expansion in export markets.
We will continue to focus on our team – the people who contribute to Bagfactory’s success every day with their knowledge, ideas, and energy. Since the very beginning, we have been, are, and will continue to be open to talented professionals for whom sustainability, innovation, and teamwork are not just words, but principles of life.
I firmly believe that people create the greatest added value. Production lines, technologies, and processes are all important, but without a motivated, engaged team that shares common values, these things would have no real meaning. It is our people who are the driving force behind Bagfactory, encouraging us to grow and strive for more.
