German company Schaeffler AG has decided to expand further in eastern Europe by opening a new plant in the Svitavy, Czech Republic. The plant is going to manufacture thermal management modules (TMM) that can be used in IC engines. The TMM controls the engine temperature precisely and in an energy-efficient manner, enabling the ideal temperature window for engine and transmission to be reached rapidly. This is the key for reducing fuel consumption, and in turn for reducing CO2 emissions.
Among the guests at the opening ceremony for the new plant were Oliver Jung, COO at Schaeffler and Marián Machácek, plant manager, Schaeffler Production CZ, Svitavy plant. Some of the government officials such as Zbynck Pokorný, Head of Investments and Industrial Areas, Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade; and David Šimek, Mayor of Svitavy were also present. Karel Kucera, CEO of Czechinvest, was also in attendance along with some other public figures.
As of now the Svitavy plant employs around 280 people but there is an increasing demand for skilled employees and qualified commercial and industrial specialists. In the next three years the plant is predicted to employ close to 900 people.
A major portion of the investment has gone towards new machinery, which are already in operation in the new Svitavy plant and the one in Lanškroun. Euro 18.5 million have been invested in the Svitavy plant alone.