Following 12 months of construction, German automotive component supplier ContiTech Fluid Technology (Hannover; www.contitech.de) has opened its latest production site for hose lines in Subotica, northern Serbia. The plant has been supplying to customers from the automotive industry since October 2012. Around 150 workers are currently employed but the figure is expected to reach a total of 250 by the end of 2013.

ContiTech has invested more than EUR 10m in the Serbian site. Certified for all necessary quality standards, the plant expands the production capacity of the German hose line specialist. Drivetrain system hose lines are assembled in Subotica and delivered to automotive manufacturers across Europe. Approximately 80 components are currently produced, totalling 1.8m annually. The premises within the duty-free zone in the Mali Bajmok industrial park, where a 7,200 m² production hall has been built, offers enough space for any potential planned expansions of the plant.

Citing one of the location's major benefits, Matthias Schönberg, head at ContiTech Fluid Technology notes: "Subotica offers an excellent logistical hook-up to our customers. Further benefits are a local labour market that offers just what we need and close proximity to our other plants in Szeged, Hungary, and Timi?oara, Romania."