During the rule of Grand Duke Vytautas in the 14th century, when Lithuanian culture was widely known and its trades and culture were appreciated abroad, its fur products even dictated the fashions in Paris. At that time, royalty and aristocrats wore sable, ermine, marten and squirrel fur, either in the form of whole garments or as decorative additions to other clothing.

Vilkas was founded in 1932 in Kaunas, and continues one of the oldest traditions in the country. Their products have won a gold medal in Brussels for fur dressing and dyeing, and their designers' work has received acclaim at various world exhibitions.

The recent political and economic revolution in Lithuania has created the conditions for collaboration with people from all over the world who are interested in this line of business.

The company is able to process up to two million pelts annually. Until 1990, the main sources of supply were from Central Asia. A successful new processing project is now under way, using Australian sheepskins which are shipped to Klaipeda.

There are 1100 employees in the enterprise. The company equity is USD 6.5 million, and annual turnover amounts to USD 10 million. We have commercial ties with 22 countries, and 80% of our products are exported.

Our main activities are: the processing of sheepskins, mink, fox, polecat and astrakhan pelts, and also pig and cattle leather; making men's, women's and children's clothes from natural fur and leather; and slip-covers for furniture and automobile seats, and also rugs, cushions and toys.

We are seeking new markets, wholesalers and retailers, and also investors interested in the implementation of new technologies and the creation of commercial joint ventures.

Vilkas is able to partially-process leather (wet-blue and crust) and also to produce clothing from material of our own or that supplied by the customer.

Mr Vaclovas Kliunka General Director.