More than 100 people could be employed in the new facility that will be built by Kayser Automotive Systems in Kłodzko, within the territory of the Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone. The presidents of the company were presented with the permit to conduct business activity by Janusz Piechociński, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy.
Kayser Automotive Systems GmbH is a German corporation that produces parts and components for various makes of vehicles, including Audi, Volkswagen, Volvo, and Porsche. It owns factories in Germany, Spain, Hungary, Mexico, the USA, and China. The company opened its first Polish facility in Batorowo near Poznań in 1999. This June, the German firm bought from the Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone “INVEST-PARK” almost 3 ha of land together with a production floor built by the WSEZ in Jaszkowa Dolna near Kłodzko. Kayser Automotive Systems declares a willingness to invest almost 11.5 million zlotys and generate at least 80 jobs. Ultimately, this number is set to increase to 120. The company will manufacture pressure lines, fuel lines and air ducts for the automotive industry.
“Our firm’s history dates back more than 400 years, and since 1928 it has been in the hands of the current owners. The company is based in Einbeck, a small town not very different from Kłodzko. We are well aware of the structural problems of regions like this, and we have vast experience in solving them. We try to recruit managers locally. I am certain that today we begin a successful story of Kayser Automotive Systems in Kłodzko,” said Kurt Heinz Borth, President of the Board of A. Kayser Automotive Systems GmbH.
Barbara Kaśnikowska, President of the Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone “INVEST-PARK”, emphasized that it is yet another investment by an automotive company within the WSEZ.
“So far, 40 companies from this sector have invested over 9.5 billion zlotys, which is more than half of all the capital expenditure incurred be firms in the Wałbrzych zone. These entrepreneurs have created almost 19,000 jobs, and this number will soon increase because not all of the investments have been completed and recruitment has not begun everywhere,” said Mrs. Kaśnikowska.
The growing importance of the industry was also highlighted by Janusz Piechociński, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy.
“The automotive industry in Poland is developing dynamically. This year, a record number of cars will be assembled here. After several worse years, in all segments, not only passenger cars, we finally see progress. The fact that we have gone into the lead in Europe in terms of the production of car parts and subassemblies is especially pleasing. Polish car companies are also doing increasingly better, for example Inter Cars. This progress translates not only into new, good and stable jobs but also into an increase in Poland’s economic and export potential,” Mr. Piechociński said.
Unemployment in the Kłodzko Valley reaches 30%, so every investment is precious.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to governmental institutions, the Ministry of Economy, the Wałbrzych zone, and all those who understood that creating jobs is the most important thing for our development. We do not want the inhabitants of the Kłodzko Valley to look for jobs abroad, but we want these jobs to come to the local towns. As the saying goes, ‘there are those who look for beautiful places to live, and those who make the places where they live beautiful.’ I hope that this investment will make the life of the inhabitants of the region better and happier,” said Stanisław Longawa, Administrator of the Gmina of Kłodzko.
The manufacturing plant in Jaszkowa Dolna will be located in a production floor constructed by the Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone “INVEST-PARK”. The pilot program of building the halls has been enthusiastically received by entrepreneurs. All the four facilities have already been leased out, including those in Bolesławiec, Wałbrzych, and Nowa Ruda. The zone is planning to erect new ones.
“Wherever I go, I especially encourage small and medium-sized Polish enterprises to invest. We want our firms to also benefit from the tax exemptions. The economic zones have a very attractive offer for SMEs, including the production floors. Companies managing the zones offer assistance at all stages of the investment process as well as after the commencement of business activity. It is truly worth checking if your company can use the possibilities to invest offered by the zones,” Ilona Antoniszyn-Klik, Deputy Minister of Economy, said encouragingly.
“Investing in Poland also means investing in Poles, who are very entrepreneurial, creative, well-educated and hardworking. Secondly, the Polish economy is developing dynamically. Last year, our GDP grew by 3.5% while the GDP of EU states shrank by 1%. This year, we predict a growth of 3.8 to even 4%. It demonstrates that Poland is gaining speed. We are changing the law, we are preparing the “economic constitution”, we are rebuilding the vocational education, we are about to receive funds within the EU framework, including large sums of money for the development of innovative economy. All of it makes Poland attractive to foreign as well as domestic firms,” declared Janusz Piechociński, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy.
Production at Kayser Automotive Systems’ manufacturing facility in Jaszkowa Dolna is scheduled to begin in the fall this year. In 2016, the company is planning to begin deliveries to Volkswagen’s factory in Września, which is also situated within the Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone “INVEST-PARK”.
Recruitment of employees willing to work for Kayser has already started. Logisticians, HR specialists, quality and maintenance departments employees as well as shop floor workers can already apply for jobs.