With a formal ceremony, Röchling Automotive has celebrated the opening of its new production plant in Kočovce in Slovakia close to Nové Mesto nad Váhom. With the new plant, the company serves the increased demand for its technologies while continuing to expand its storage and production capacities. The approximately 80 highly qualified employees at the site will soon be producing Active Grille Shutters, underbody panels, wheel arch liners and air filters for the global automotive manufacturers Daimler, Jaguar Land Rover and PSA.
"Opening the plant in Kočovce is a major strategic step allowing us to assist our customers by means of local production. The closer we are to our customers, the better we can support them," says Prof. Dr. Hanns-Peter Knaebel, CEO of Röchling Automotive. "Besides, expanding our capacities puts us in a position to divide up our activities between our Czech and Slovak plant with the aim of optimizing the processes."
Construction of the new plant began in October 2017 and the work has been finished since July 2018. A total area of 10,000 square meters provides capacities for a production area, a warehouse, technical areas and office space. Also, the premises with their area of 50,000 square meters in all present the option of future extension. "Production in the new plant mainly focuses on the circulating capital ("work in progress", WIP parts) for other Röchling Automotive production plants. In addition, the site was cleverly chosen from a strategic point of view as Daimler, Jaguar Land Rover and PSA have plants in Hungary or Slovakia," says Vladimír Lopušniak, plant manager in Nové Mesto nad Váhom.
In addition to the executive board and the management of Röchling Automotive, the official inauguration ceremony was attended by employees, the vice-president of the Automotive Industry Association of the Slovak Republic, customers and representatives of the local press, and various presentations gave the visitors more information on Röchling's strategy and the technologies it uses. After the traditional tape-cutting ceremony, the guests had the opportunity to view the new plant.
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