October 13 (SeeNews) - German cable and wiring systems manufacturer Leoni told SeeNews on Friday that it is looking into the possibility of expanding its production capacities in Eastern Europe and Bulgaria is among the explored options.
“Bulgaria is among the countries that we examine, and the city of Pleven is a possible location,” Sven Schmidt, Leoni’s corporate press officer, said in an emailed response to a SeeNews enquiry.
You can download the 2024 Automotive industry in Southeast Europe report here
No decision has been taken yet, but the company is engaged in talks with the local government in Pleven, Schmidt noted. Moreover, it is due to visit the northern Bulgarian city next week to present itself as a possible investor and employer to the public and to check the labour market firsthand.
A decision about the final location for a new plant will be taken only in the weeks to come, Schmidt said.
Bulgaria has recently been attracting interest from an increasing number of car parts makers. More than 120 companies produce over 1,400 parts and components for almost all international car brands in Bulgaria. According to data from the country's investment agency, InvestBulgaria, since the beginning of this year, three projects for the construction of new production facilities for car parts, worth a combined 50 million levs ($30.2 million/25.6 million euro), have already been certified.
Leoni, founded in 1917, operates in 31 countries worldwide, employing over 82,000 people. In Southeast Europe, Leoni has production facilities in Romania and Serbia.
(1 euro=1.95583 levs)