Engel (Schwertberg /Austria; www.engelglobal.com), the world’s leading producer of injection moulding machinery, is planning to expand its site in Kaplice / Czech Republic by the end of 2008. Production of steel sheet will be transferred from the company’s home base in Austria to new premises at the Czech site, which will become a centre of competence for steel sheet. The move is expected to create around 100 new jobs in Kaplice by 2009.

A company spokesperson told Plasteurope.com that the relocation will not entail any job cuts in Schwertberg. All employees there will be transferred to other areas of production. The decision to expand reflects the company’s extremely good order situation. Engel said it posted another “sharp rise in sales" in fiscal 2007/2008 (31 March) but detailed figures are not yet available.