Benteler Automotive has opened a new component plant in Klasterec nad Ohri, Czech Republic. Representatives of the local government, customers and suppliers attended the opening ceremony together with the Benteler management and local employees. Stefan Drozd, Mayor of Klasterec nad Ohri, also joined the celebration on site.
With this new plant in Klasterec, the company says it is further strengthening its customer proximity and optimally matching customers’ demands in the region. The fifth plant in the Czech Republic was first put into operation at the end of 2017. Production is focused on hot-forming of steel parts, blanking, welding and laser-cutting for the key customers Volvo, BMW, Skoda Auto and Daimler. The site covers an area of 130,000 sqm, of which 23,000 sqm will be used as the shop floor for the first production phase. The new plant has created an additional 300 jobs so far, increasing to 400 by the end of 2018.
Benteler is one of the world’s largest family-owned automotive suppliers, with significant strength in chassis components and modules. Revenue is forecast to reach EUR11bn by 2021, from EUR7.4bn in 2016.