[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":135},["ShallowReactive",2],{"naujienos/lithuanias-oldest-confectionery-factory-offers-innovative-solutions-it-strives-not-only-to-uphold-centuries-old-traditions-but-also-to-invest-in-technology/en":3},{"status":4,"data":5},true,{"image":6,"id":14,"seo":15,"title":12,"date":90,"url":86,"fullUrl":26,"text":91,"excerpt":25,"more":92,"tags":133,"temos":134},{"src":7,"is_svg":8,"ratio":9,"width":10,"height":11,"alt":12,"caption":13},"https://web-prod.inovacijuagentura.lt/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/sigita-skrebe-3-perziurai-2.jpg",false,0.6666666666666666,1200,800,"Lithuania’s oldest confectionery factory offers innovative solutions: it strives not only to uphold centuries-old traditions, but also to invest in technology","",6915,{"title":16,"robots":17,"og_locale":23,"og_type":24,"og_title":16,"og_description":25,"og_url":26,"og_site_name":27,"article_publisher":28,"og_image":29,"twitter_card":34,"schema":35,"breadcrumbs":78,"description":13,"language":87},"Lithuania’s oldest confectionery factory offers innovative solutions: it strives not only to uphold centuries-old traditions, but also to invest in technology - Inovacijų agentūra",{"index":18,"follow":19,"max-snippet":20,"max-image-preview":21,"max-video-preview":22},"index","follow","max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview:-1","en_US","article","“Knowledge, diligence and love for sweets are the three core values that have been with us since the very beginning,” says Rūta Gilaitienė, Director of Rūta, the oldest confectionery factory in Lithuania. Today, the company with 250 employees strives not only to uphold centuries-old traditions, maintain the quality of its products and the trust of its customers, but also to take advantage of the opportunities offered by technology and to invest in innovation.","https://www.inovacijuagentura.lt/en/naujiena/lithuanias-oldest-confectionery-factory-offers-innovative-solutions-it-strives-not-only-to-uphold-centuries-old-traditions-but-also-to-invest-in-technology/","Inovacijų agentūra","https://www.facebook.com/inovacijuagentura",[30],{"width":31,"height":32,"url":7,"type":33},"1200","800","image/jpeg","summary_large_image",{"@context":36,"@graph":37},"https://schema.org",[38,53,55,65,69],{"@type":39,"@id":26,"url":26,"name":16,"isPartOf":40,"primaryImageOfPage":42,"image":44,"thumbnailUrl":7,"datePublished":45,"breadcrumb":46,"inLanguage":48,"potentialAction":49},"WebPage",{"@id":41},"https://www.inovacijuagentura.lt/en/#website",{"@id":43},"https://www.inovacijuagentura.lt/en/naujiena/lithuanias-oldest-confectionery-factory-offers-innovative-solutions-it-strives-not-only-to-uphold-centuries-old-traditions-but-also-to-invest-in-technology/#primaryimage",{"@id":43},"2024-03-25T20:00:00+00:00",{"@id":47},"https://www.inovacijuagentura.lt/en/naujiena/lithuanias-oldest-confectionery-factory-offers-innovative-solutions-it-strives-not-only-to-uphold-centuries-old-traditions-but-also-to-invest-in-technology/#breadcrumb","en-US",[50],{"@type":51,"target":52},"ReadAction",[26],{"@type":54,"inLanguage":48,"@id":43,"url":7,"contentUrl":7,"width":31,"height":32,"caption":12},"ImageObject",{"@type":56,"@id":47,"itemListElement":57},"BreadcrumbList",[58,63],{"@type":59,"position":60,"name":61,"item":62},"ListItem","1","Home","https://www.inovacijuagentura.lt/en/",{"@type":59,"position":64,"name":12},"2",{"@type":66,"@id":41,"url":62,"name":27,"description":13,"publisher":67,"inLanguage":48},"WebSite",{"@id":68},"https://www.inovacijuagentura.lt/en/#organization",{"@type":70,"@id":68,"name":27,"url":62,"logo":71,"image":76,"sameAs":77},"Organization",{"@type":54,"inLanguage":48,"@id":72,"url":73,"contentUrl":73,"width":74,"height":75,"caption":27},"https://www.inovacijuagentura.lt/en/#/schema/logo/image/","https://web-prod.inovacijuagentura.lt/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ia-logo-main.svg","1886","786",{"@id":72},[28],[79,82,85],{"url":80,"text":61,"id":81},"/en/",7576,{"url":83,"text":84},"/en/news/","News",{"url":86,"text":12,"id":14},"/en/naujiena/lithuanias-oldest-confectionery-factory-offers-innovative-solutions-it-strives-not-only-to-uphold-centuries-old-traditions-but-also-to-invest-in-technology/",[88],{"url":26,"code":89,"locale":89,"default":8},"en","2024-03-25","\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">For this reason, Rūta regularly participates in EU-funded projects, and in order to increase its productivity and competitiveness in international value chains, the company has taken advantage of the “Regio Invest LT+” measure of the Innovation Agency and purchased a modern chocolate production line. \u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">According to Sigita Skrebė, Head of the Business Productivity Projects Division of the Investment Management Department of the Innovation Agency, the acquisition of modern production equipment has contributed to the productivity, competitiveness and revenue growth of the company. \u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">“The modern chocolate production line acquired by UAB Rūta during the project is designed for the production of 100–500 g of chocolate and chocolate with brittle fillings. The introduction of this production equipment has had an impact on the productivity and revenue growth, as well as on the increase of competitiveness both in the domestic and foreign markets,” says the expert of the Innovation Agency. \u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">The total value of the project was EUR 626 000, of which almost EUR 220 000 was financed by an EU funding call.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">According to Ms Skrebė, the main objective of the “Regio Invest LT+” measure is to enable companies to invest in business start and development, producing innovative products and rendering services that will increase the productivity of companies, accelerate the development of Lithuanian regions, and help them grow economically. \u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">“The “Regio Invest LT+” measure is aimed at the introduction of modern technologies through the adaptation of existing and the creation of new production and service capacities. For example, in the case of UAB Rūta, the funding was for the acquisition of new production lines and the modernisation of existing production technologies. In addition to the above-mentioned company, companies from various sectors such as food, furniture, chemicals, accommodation and healthcare services have already benefited from this measure,” adds Ms Skrebė. \u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">According to Ms Gilaitienė, Director of Rūta, the company has successfully implemented around 30 EU-funded projects, which have helped the confectionery factory that has been in operation for more than a hundred years to keep up with innovation, increase the competitiveness, meet the demand for its products, and create new jobs. \u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">\u003Cstrong>A family business recognised by chocolate lovers \u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">The history of the Rūta confectionery factory dates back to 1913, when Antanas Gricevičius started cooking caramel in a large kettle and the “Rūta” sign was put on a wooden house in the centre of the city of Šiauliai. Although the production was going well, nobody expected that one day that small house would turn into one of the longest-running confectionery factories not only in Lithuania, but also in Europe.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">The factory was nationalised in 1940, then returned to the founder’s relatives after the restoration of Independence, and today, 111 years later, it continues to create legends of flavour that amaze with craftsmanship, the authenticity of Lithuanian recipes, traditions and top quality. The company offers more than 300 different types of chocolate products, including speciality groups (sugar-free confectionery, freeze-dried dragee, protein snacks). \u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">When asked about the secret of success of the legendary confectionery factory, the director says that it is a family business, with as many as four generations already involved in its development. Rūta has always focused on high quality and the use of natural raw materials, and its operations have always been guided by three core values: knowledge, diligence and love for sweets. According to Ms Gilaitienė, this is what has helped to win the recognition of confectionery lovers. \u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">\u003Cstrong>Sweets made in Rūta go as far as Taiwan \u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">In addition, customers appreciate the fact that Rūta prefers Lithuanian raw materials: strawberries, blackcurrants, sea buckthorn, pumpkins, royal jelly, pollen, honey and nuts grown and picked in our land are transformed into the most delicious candy fillings or condiments in the Rūta factory, which are highly valued not only in Lithuania, but also abroad. Ambition and hard work have helped the company to conquer new markets, as has the development of innovative solutions. \u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">“Although we sell most of our products in Lithuania, we also export a significant amount to other countries. For example, Germany, Great Britain, Taiwan, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, the USA, Canada…,” shares Ms Gilaitienė. Moreover, Rūta products are even exported to Belgium, the chocolate capital of the world, and the successful efforts of the business to bring quality products to the market are also demonstrated by the numerous awards it has won in competitions – there are more than 40 of them awarded throughout the history of the company, and, according to the director, this is not the end. \u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">Today, Rūta employs about 250 people, owns 20 stores, a café and the only chocolate museum in Lithuania. The director of the company does not conceal the fact that business development constantly faces various challenges, but the Rūta team always finds a solution in each case. \u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">When asked about the vision of the company, Ms Gilaitienė says that the goal is not only to uphold the centuries-old business traditions, but also to remain innovative, keep up with the technologies that are advancing every day and apply them to the production process. \u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">“Our vision is to preserve what has been encoded in our roots since the very beginning of Rūta activity: the quality of our products, a varied assortment that meets the needs of our customers, and at the same time to remain innovative, not afraid to innovate and improve,” comments Ms Gilaitienė. \u003C/p>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align:justify\">The “Regio Invest LT+” measure is implemented under the Programme for the EU Funds’ Investments 2014–2020. \u003C/p>\n",[93,102,111,125],{"image":94,"title":97,"url":98,"id":99,"text":100,"temos":101},{"src":95,"is_svg":8,"ratio":96,"alt":97,"caption":13},"https://web-prod.inovacijuagentura.lt/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/kosmoso-memorandumas-su-polsa.jpg",0.6669921875,"Lithuania Strengthens Cooperation with Poland and the United States in the Space Sector: Important Memorandums Signed","/en/naujiena/lithuania-strengthens-cooperation-with-poland-and-the-united-states-in-the-space-sector-important-memorandums-signed/",6748,"Lithuania’s space sector continues to strengthen international partnerships and expand cooperation with key players in the global space industry. Innovation Agency Lithuania has recently signed two significant memorandums of understanding – with the Polish Space Agency (POLSA) and the U.S. space infrastructure company Vast. These agreements open new opportunities for Lithuanian businesses, research institutions, and international projects.",[],{"image":103,"title":106,"url":107,"id":108,"text":109,"temos":110},{"src":104,"is_svg":8,"ratio":105,"alt":106,"caption":13},"https://web-prod.inovacijuagentura.lt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/shutterstock-2539768243-1.jpg",0.7490234375,"Lithuania Ranks First in Europe in the Global Entrepreneurship Index","/en/naujiena/lithuania-ranks-first-in-europe-in-the-global-entrepreneurship-index/",6892,"The latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2025/2026 global report shows that Lithuania is the leading country in Europe in terms of the quality of its entrepreneurial environment and ranks among the world’s strongest economies in this field.",[],{"image":112,"title":114,"url":115,"id":116,"text":117,"temos":118},{"src":113,"is_svg":8,"ratio":96,"alt":114,"caption":13},"https://web-prod.inovacijuagentura.lt/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/karolina-urbonaite.jpg","Lithuania’s Startup Ecosystem Surpasses €16.4 Billion in Value: Investments Jump 1.7x in 2025","/en/naujiena/lithuanias-startup-ecosystem-surpasses-e16-4-billion-in-value-investments-jump-1-7x-in-2025/",6999,"The total value of Lithuania’s startup ecosystem reached €16.4 billion in 2025, according to the latest Dealroom report initiated by Startup Lithuania, a division of the Innovation Agency. In just one year, Lithuanian startups attracted €220 million in venture capital investments from 77 unique investors. The ecosystem’s growing maturity was further confirmed earlier this year with the addition of a new unicorn to Lithuania’s startup map — Cast AI.",[119,122],{"id":120,"name":121},577,"Growth",{"id":123,"name":124},579,"Innovation",{"image":126,"title":128,"url":129,"id":130,"text":131,"temos":132},{"src":127,"is_svg":8,"ratio":96,"alt":128,"caption":13},"https://web-prod.inovacijuagentura.lt/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/modix-fgf-3d-spausdintuvas-2.jpg","Mission-Driven Innovations: Science and Business Shaping Lithuania’s Future","/en/naujiena/mission-driven-innovations-science-and-business-shaping-lithuanias-future/",6904,"Some important scientific research activities and innovative business-developed products may sound complex – unsurprisingly, as they are developed by people who dedicate their entire lives to these fields. Yet behind these sophisticated terms lie concrete solutions that will eventually make each of our daily lives easier. Where science and business join forces, more accurate disease diagnostics for the health of us and our loved ones are developed, cybersecurity tools are created to protect the country, and climate-neutral production technologies and materials emerge to help preserve our nature and resources.",[],[],[],1780325203086]