ZF Puts High Hopes on New Components Plant in Pančevo
ZF Friedrichshafen has recently opened a
production facility in Pančevo, Serbia to manufacture powertrain elements for
hybrid and electric vehicles (EV). Currently, approximately 300 specialists
work at the plant, but ZF is determined to expand the infrastructure and create
approximately 700 additional jobs by 2021.
This production facility will supply a wide
range of car components (including e-motors and transmission elements) for the
world’s largest car brands such as Audi, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz. Due to excessive
popularity of these parts on the market, ZF has already kicked off an
undertaking to expand the facility in Serbia. Moreover, the German company
considers the possibility to build a R&D center in Pančevo, which will also
require approximately 100 highly-skilled specialists.
Pictures from the
opening ceremony of the production facility in Pančevo
ZF has already devoted € 100 mln to this production facility, while the 2-nd part of the project, which is already in progress, will require approximately extra € 60 mln, putting the ZF’s combined investment in Serbia at € 160 mln. According to ZF representative, the expansion of the plant will make Pančevo the biggest ZF e-mobility location in Europe outside Germany. Thanks to the help of technical universities in Serbia, the company hopes to find talented engineers who will implement new ZF’s technical concepts. ZF is a major provider of transmission units and related spare parts for light-duty vehicles, commercial trucks and industrial tech solutions, enabling the next-gen mobility solutions. ZF employs approximately 149,000 high-quality and committed specialists at numerous locations worldwide.
Serbian President Aleksandar
Vucic takes the floor during the opening ceremony
The official opening ceremony of the plant was attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who called the ceremony a milestone event not only for Pančevo region, but for the whole country. Mr. President also pointed out that such projects can help to keep young and talented specialists in the country and to reduce labor migration from Pančevo and surrounding areas. Vucic also hopes that many major companies will follow the example of ZF and shift their production and technologies to Serbia. He also added that for the first 5 months of this year, Serbia attracted 17% more FDIs than in the same period last year. German companies also helped to create jobs for 58,000 Serbians.
