Investments in the Alita factory laboratory unlock new opportunities for both the manufacturer and the entire Lithuanian winemaking sector

More than €400,000 in investments by MV GROUP Production into the Alita beverage factory are opening new doors not only for the manufacturer itself, but for the entire Lithuanian winemaking industry. The fully upgraded Alita laboratory enables the company to maintain the highest quality standards for its products, promote Lithuanian wine culture, help preserve local traditions, foster innovation in winemaking, and serve as a platform for collaboration with small-scale winemakers.

Innovative laboratory equipment

A total of €417,000 was invested into the modernization of Alita’s laboratory. This amount covered facility renovations as well as the purchase of modern lab furniture and state-of-the-art analytical equipment — many of the new instruments are worth several thousand euros each.

According to Rasa Urmanavičienė, Head of Quality Management at MV GROUP Production, the most impressive pieces of lab equipment include a laminar flow cabinet, which ensures a sterile environment crucial for microbiological testing, and an advanced microscope that enables extremely precise and detailed sample analysis. The new equipment allows Alita specialists to conduct research in a more innovative, accurate, and efficient manner, thereby guaranteeing the quality of their products.

“The laboratory truly is like the heart and soul of our factory. Modern technologies allow us to identify potential quality issues more quickly, but behind every analysis and decision stand our dedicated specialists. They not only operate advanced equipment, but also contribute their experience, meticulousness, and passion for quality. We could have the most cutting-edge equipment in the world, but without the knowledge and dedication of our team, it would just be expensive tools. It’s this synergy between people and technology that enables us to constantly improve our product quality, maintain the highest standards, and strengthen our position both in Lithuania and international markets,” says R. Urmanavičienė.

This isn’t MV GROUP Production’s first such investment. A few years ago, the laboratory at Anykščių vynas factory was also upgraded, and last year new lab equipment was installed at Gubernija, Lithuania’s oldest brewery.

Value for the entire Lithuanian winemaking industry

Urmanavičienė emphasizes that the modernization of Alita’s laboratory brings added value not only to the factory in Alytus but to the entire Lithuanian winemaking sector. One of the key advantages of the upgraded lab is the opportunity to share resources with small winemakers, encouraging their growth and the overall development of winemaking in the country.

“In recent years, more and more winemakers have expressed interest in using our laboratory’s resources and expertise. We perform quality tests on their products — tests that they cannot carry out themselves, either due to the high cost of the required equipment or because most small winemakers are not certified to conduct such analyses,” she explains.

She adds that laboratory accreditation, which takes place every three years, is a crucial and demanding process. To receive accreditation, a comprehensive evaluation of staff qualifications and competencies is required, as well as audits of lab facilities and equipment. The quality of testing is also assessed and benchmarked against results from accredited external labs – a process that ensures reliability and compliance with all standards and requirements.

“The final result, successful lab accreditation, is a major achievement that reflects our professionalism and team collaboration. We are proud that our labs meet the highest quality standards and that we can guarantee our products are both safe and high-quality,” says Urmanavičienė.

Alita already has several years of experience working with small winemakers, who value the accuracy of the lab’s analyses, the responsiveness of the collaboration, and competitive pricing. The company is also a long-standing supporter of the event Discover Lithuanian Wine, where it conducts quality testing on the wines submitted for the competition.

This cooperation also benefits Alita, as it contributes to nurturing the Lithuanian wine culture. By collaborating with small winemakers, the factory helps promote and develop local wine traditions and encourages innovation in winemaking.

Future investment plans

As a pioneer in many Lithuanian beverages, Alita is constantly looking to improve its research methods to enable innovative testing and the development of new products while maintaining the quality of existing ones. The company also plans to strengthen partnerships with other laboratories and research centers by sharing knowledge and resources.

Urmanavičienė notes that the modernized lab and the competent team working there already contribute significantly to the company’s competitiveness and innovation, ensuring high product quality, compliance with international standards, and the development of more sustainable production processes. However, MV GROUP Production does not plan to stop here – further investments are already in the pipeline.

“Our immediate plans include renovating the remaining laboratory spaces to create a modern and efficient working environment. We also plan to acquire a new advanced chromatograph, which will allow for even more precise and comprehensive testing,” the Head of Quality emphasizes.