Röchling Automotive (Mannheim / Germany; www.roechling.com) has put into operation a new production facility in Kočovce / Slovakia. Approximately 80 employees at the site near the city of Nové Mesto nad Váhom will manufacture active grille shutters, underbody panels, wheel arch liners and air filters for automotive manufacturers Daimler, Jaguar, Land Rover and PSA.

On a total area of 10,000 m², the site houses a production area, a warehouse, technical areas and offices. According to Röchling, the entire property has 50,000 m², leaving enough space for potential future expansions. Construction of the plant began in October 2017, followed now by the opening ceremony in July 2019.

Production at the new plant is focused primarily on work in progress (WIP) parts for other Röchling Automotive production facilities. “The opening of the plant in Kočovce is a significant strategic step towards supporting our customers with local production,” said Röchling CEO Hanns-Peter Knaebel. He added that the expanded capacities would allow the group to distribute activities between its Czech and Slovak plants and to optimise processes.