Analysis: Rubber-parts makers invest in CEE locations

London – Central and eastern Europe continues to offer attractive locations for rubber product manufacturers, as evidenced by three interesting investment projects in the region.

Firestone Industrial Products Co. is making a "significant" investment in its operations in Poland, in response to the growing demand for air suspension technologies throughout the region.

The supplier of air springs and antivibration technologies is adding 2,000 square metres to its existing plant in Wolsztyn, where it has been manufacturing products for commercial vehicles and passenger cars since 2005. 

Firestone will also open a new distribution centre in the nearby Polish city of Chobienice, added a 30 Sept statement by the Bridgestone-owned company.

To supply European automotive OEMs, the expanded Wolsztyn plant will be equipped with innovative machinery and an ISO class 8 cleanroom, according to Firestone. 

The new facility is due to be fully operational by the second half of 2020. linked to the 10,000-square-metre Chobienice distribution unit just a short distance away, the company added.

According to Firestone, the decision to expand the operations was made amid continuing growth in the European market. 

“We see more interest from OEMs that want to equip next generation vehicles with the latest air suspension technologies,” said Emily Poladian, president of Firestone Industrial Products.

German supplier of gangway systems and elastomer door sealings for buses and railway industry Huebner Group has expanded its manufacturing site Nyíregyháza in northeast Hungary.

The project involved the construction of a new production hall, spanning 8,600 square metres, at Huebner’s largest location outside Germany, it announced 18 Sept.

The family-owned company put nearly €11 million into the first expansion-phase and is planning another €6.5-million investment at the 22-year-old site.

Set for commercial start-up next year, the new unit will meet strong demand for gangway systems for buses and railway vehicles, Huebner added.

In Bulgaria, meanwhile, producer of technical parts LIM Technics OOD is investing more than €2 million to expand its manufacturing base outside of Sofia.

The company plans to invest in a new production hall and office building on a site in the Sofia-Bozhurishte Economic Zone, 12km west of the capital.

LIM Technics specialises in injection moulding single and multi-component plastic, silicone or metal parts used in cars, household appliances, electronic devices and medical consumables. The company plans to hire around 40 workers for the new operation.