Tunisian company to build factory near Kavadarci

Tunisian company, partner of Germany's Dräxlmaier, intends to build a plant in Kavadarci, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski told reporters on Sunday.

"The company representatives have already visited Macedonia and according to their statements thus far it is certain that the Tunisian company will come to the country to manufacture certain parts for Dräxlmaier", Gruevski said during his visit to Kavadarci region.

The PM said he couldn't reveal the company's name yet.

"The Tunisians are Dräxlmaier's business partners, and open own factories wherever Dräxlmaier does in favor of reducing the transportation costs," Gruevski said.

He also announced that a UAE investor would built a fruit distribution center in Resen.

This center will give momentum to the agriculture in Prespa region, bolstering the export of apples and other fruits, especially in the Middle-East countries, the PM said. 

Kromberg & Schubert plant opens

Plant of German company Kromberg & Schubert opened in Bitola industrial zone Zabeni on Friday. The investment is estimated at EUR 20 million, opening 2,500 jobs.

The plant opens after a one-year construction and training of employees. It is comprised of four operational units - cables, networks, plastic technology and mechatronics.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said the Government has done everything to develop the Zabeni industrial zone, in order to meet the investor's requirements and needs.

"The result of these activities was positive, since the company confirmed its interest in the competition of many countries, selecting Macedonia as the destination of their investment, worth over EUR 20 million", said PM Gruevski.

According to him, the significance and benefits from the entry of "Kromberg and Schubert" in Macedonia are indisputable, since the company secures new jobs and contributes to increase of exports.

"The entire Pelagonija region has already felt the benefits from this factory. There have been numerous job ads, with more than 800 people already employed in the plant. Another 200 jobs are to open by the year-end, another 1,000 in 2014, and gradually up to 2,500 by the end of 2015", added Gruevski.

He added the company would contribute to Macedonia's global exports.

"The cooperation with Kromberg & Schubert represents a foundation for further strengthening of economic and political relations with Germany, which is one of Macedonia's most significant partners. The company is well-respected at the world market, which is excellent for our country in being perceived as a favorable and attractive business destination. That is why I believe the presence of Kromberg & Schubert will draw other similar companies to invest in Macedonia", underlined PM Gruevski.

Kromberg & Schubert" is a German family firm with a 100-year-long history. With over thousands of employees around the world, the firm produces hi-tech products, such as  on-board networks, cables, plastic technology and mechatronics.

Macedonia opens new Tech Development Zone in Štip

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Vice-Premier and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski, TIDZ Director Viktor Mizo and Stip Mayor Ilco Zahariev opened Friday in Stip a new technological-industrial development zone (TIDZ).

A lot has been done since the 2010 cornerstone-laying ceremony for the TIDZ Stip, which is now ready to welcome all potential investors from this region, Gruevski said at the opening ceremony.

He expressed belief that very soon many factories would be erected in the zone, which means a lot of new jobs and substantial contribution to the development of eastern Macedonia.

US "Johnson Controls" has already broken the ice in TIDZ Stip, choosing the zone as a location for its second plant in Macedonia.

TIDZ Stip has road connections to Skopje and Kocani through M5 interstate and connections with the planned cargo airport in Stip through M6 interstate. The national rail station is 2.5 km away from the location and the nearest international airport Alexander the Great in Skopje is 75 km away. The nearest sea port - the one in Solun - is 225 km away from TIDZ Stip.

In addition to the TIDZs in Skopje (1 and 2) and in Stip and Tetovo, technological development zones are also planned in Strumica, Radovis, Delcevo Vinica, Berovo, Prilep, Kicevo, Gevgelija...

By this project the Government's is planning to cover all regions in Macedonia it believes will attract new investments, Gruevski said.

VanHool hiring 35 people for its Skopje location

The Belgian company Van Hool published Saturday job advertisement for 35 vacant positions in its production facility in Technological and Investment Development Zone - TIDZ Skopje 2 in Bunardzik.

The company which plans to produce buses in its new facility seeks workers in different positions as team leaders, carpenters, electricians, mechanics, controllers, coordinators, assistants…

Van Hool’s investment in production facility in TIDZ Skopje 2 is worth 20 million EUR and is expected to create 400 to 500 new job positions.

The facility is built on a parcel of 11.76 hectares and the production is expected to start in 2013. The planed annual production is 400 buses. The products will be exported to the U.S. and other markets.

Van Hool of Belgium manufactures approximately 1,400 busses and coaches and more than 4,000 units of semi-trailers, tank containers and other commercial vehicles annually. With a workforce of approximately 4,000 and annual turnover of over 450 million EUR, Van Hool is the largest integral bus manufacturing company in Western Europe. Van Hool holds major positions in different export markets. 80% of company’s production is exported to Europe, America, Africa, and Asia.

Macedonia's benefits for automotive industry presented in Germany

Macedonia's investment opportunities in the automotive sector were presented at a stand within this year's Berlin auto show "Automobilwoche", held November 5-7.

Minister for Foreign Investments Bill Pavleski and Directorate for Technological-Industrial Development Zones (DTIDZ) director Viktor Mizo took part at the event.

More than 300 delegates from the automotive industry in Europe and the world attended the event, whereas Macedonian officials met with representatives of numerous companies interested in Macedonia's investment benefits.

Automobilwoche annually brings together the most influential companies from the global automotive industry, said the DTIDZ in a press release.

TeknoHose Opens Macedonian Plant

Italian company “TeknoHose” will put into use Monday its plant in Macedonia, located in Technological Industrial Development Zone (TDIZ) Skopje 1. The investment stands at EUR 10 million, with the plant creating 150 jobs.

The plant will produce high pressure reinforced rubber hoses, used in construction, automotive industry etc. Output will be distributed to markets in the countries of Southeast Europe and Russia.

Company “TeknoHose”, registered in Macedonia under name “Vitek Macedonia”, is a member of Italy’s Vitillo Group. It purchased an existing facility in TIDZ Skopje 1, which has been completely built and adapted.

The company plans to start the construction of a second facility in 2013 for production of hydraulic couplings for reinforced hoses.

ArcelorMittal investment in Skopje plant

Plant "ArcelorMittal Skopje"  presented Thursday a new EUR 3,5 million investment in a zinc plating line.

The investment covered a reconstruction and full automation of the steel mill's zinc plating production line, which is expected to increase output volume and quality.

It will enable a more efficient technological operation,  better energy efficiency and productivity, reduced emissions of air polluting substances and their continual monitoring.

The Ministers for attracting foreign investments and environment, Vele Samak and  Abdilaqim Ademi respectively, welcomed the new investment. 

Government officials, many businessmen and general managers of the most influential companies in the Balkan steel industry attended the event.

ArcelorMittal is the world's leading steel and mining company. Guided by a philosophy to produce safe, sustainable steel, it is the leading supplier of quality steel products in all major markets including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging. ArcelorMittal operates in 60 countries and employs about 260,000 people worldwide.

4,000 Job openings announced at German car maker in Kavadarci

The German Dräxlmaier Group at its website announces vacant positions for highly skilled managers and professionals for the launch of new production facility in Kavadarci with over 4.000 employees.
The investment in Macedonia will amount €30 million. Minister of Foreign Investments Vele Samak has recently announced the amount of the investment and number of new jobs.
The company will open production facility for electrical installations and cables this year, offering jobs to 4,000 employees in the next 3 years. The products from the factory in Macedonia will be installed in Mercedes cars in Germany, Samak said.
The Dräxlmaier Group is an international company founded in 1958 in Germany and produces automotive specific cables, spare parts and electrical equipment for cars. The Dräxlmaier Group has a global presence on four continents, in over 20 countries, at over 50 locations.

Kromberg & Schubert in Bitola

Germany-based company Kromberg & Schubert will start building a plant in Bitola in December. The long awaited plant for production of car cables will start employing workers as of May. At first, it will hire 500 people and then the number will grow to 2,500 people.
Moreover, another six investments in Bitola are expected. They pertain to construction of hotels, but some investors are also interested in timber, food and milk industry. In the meantime, the government’s team presented investment possibilities in Macedonia last week.
Several Austrian and German companies have already announced that they are interested in investing in Macedonia. Allegedly, Siemens and BMW are among the interested investors. Moreover, the government team has already agreed cooperation with Teksport, which already has two plants in Macedonia.

Johnson Controls Starts moving machines in Shtip

Johnsons Controls will start moving machines to the premises in Makedonska Street in Stip in about ten days.
The company will also launch test production, informed Viktor Mizo, head of the Technological-Industrial Development Zone Bunardzik (TIRZ), at the government session. He announced employment of 300 people in the company as of early next year.
In November, equipment of Chinese company Haier is expected to be delivered to TIRZ. In the past few days, meetings with representatives of Haier were held and investment details discussed. All announced investments in Macedonia are progressing without any impediments.

New Tobacco Factory in Kavadarci

Company Alliance One has invested EUR 4 million in the opening of a new tobacco processing plant. Another investor is Kadavarci-based IGM Trade.

The Management of Alliance One says they cooperate with more than 9,000 producers and this year, they signed contracts on more than 6,700 tons of tobacco.

Alliance One has been present in Macedonia for the past 13 years. Prior to that, the company Diamond entered the market by buying two Macedonian companies in Kadavarci and Vinica. Alliance One ranks tenth in Macedonia by export.