Press room

The plant occupies a strategic location, as it is at the geographical centre of the main automotive industry plants in Eastern Europe, specifically in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.

The ceremony was presided over by the Mayor and the city’s political representatives, who were accompanied by a large delegation from the Maier Group, headed by its President, José Ramón San Sebastián; its Director General, Juan Luis Irazabal and the Managing Director of the Czech subsidiary, Iosu Ocerin. The main customers and suppliers were also present.

The new production plant, which has cost 10 million euros, consists of a 6,500 m2 building which houses the production facilities and warehouses. The initial workforce numbers 55 people, with the plans being for a total of 200 people within four years. For 2007, which will be the first complete year of operation, the forecasts are for sales of 8 million euros, which will increase to more than 20 million euros in four years.

On the technological side, the plant will initially use injection and painting technologies, with which it will manufacture: front grilles, trims, air inlet grilles, spoilers, wheel covers, fuel tank caps, etc. Later on the plans are to incorporate other technologies and products, in line with the needs and demands of the customers.

The Maier Group setting up in the Czech Republic is part of the Group’s internationalisation strategy, aimed at consolidating its presence in Europe and providing service for its main customers with plants in Eastern Europe, like the PSA Group, Renault, the Volkswagen Group, Toyota, GM, the Antolín Group, Plastic Omnium, Faurecia and Visteon. In this context, Maier is starting its operations in the Czech Republic with significant orders from these customers for PSA’s new 207 and the Renault Twingo.

With the new plant in the Czech Republic, the Maier Group now has five production plants: the main plant in Gernika, Maier Navarra in the Ultzama Velley, Maier Ferroplast close to Vigo, the British plant Maier UK and the Czech plant in Prostejov. For this year, the Group forecasts an overall turnover of 185 million euros, of which 60% will correspond to international sales.

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