On Friday, December 11th, automotive supplier Huf Group, the leading specialist for secure car access and authorization, took over the new annex of its production site in Arad, thus doubling the space from 10.000 to 20.000 square meters. After technical approval of the building by the local authorities, Global Vision, the owner of the premises, symbolically handed over the new building to the management of Huf Romania S.R.L. On 10.000 square meters, the newly erected complex comprises halls for production, logistics and technical support facilities with 250 new workplaces. In the final extension stage, the overall number of Huf employees in Arad will amount to 650.
“In the coming weeks, the new production halls will be equipped with machinery. As of now, already 35 new employees were hired who support the installation of the assembly lines and will gradually start production. In May 2021, we will have completed the first extension phase. By then, about 130 employees will work on the new premises”, said Ioan Posa, Managing Director of Huf Romania, when officially receiving the new buildings as a tenant. Besides the extension of assembly, Huf will also set up its European requalification center in Arad, where series products for the car manufacturers are undergoing quality tests in regular cycles.
“We are happy to take over the annex to our Arad site in time. Thanks to good project management of all parties involved, we were able to realize our extension plans despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is important as Romania plays a decisive role in the optimization of our global footprint. Our partner Global Vision supported this demanding project right from the start, enabling a fast completion of the new building”, said Dr. Lars Placke, Senior Vice President at Huf Group.
Global Vision, the Romanian integrated real estate services platform, started the development of the 10.000 square meter unit in July 2020 and managed to offer early access to Huf as tenant in November. “The expansion of the Huf factory in Arad represents a successful business model that Romanian companies can materialize together with foreign investors. Future projects of Global Vision may include both greenfield and sell and lease back developments, with expansion options. We are honored by the trust that Huf placed in our team”, explained Sorin Preda, CEO and Founder of Global Vision.
Since the foundation of Huf Romania in 2006, Huf Group has continuously expanded its activities in this region. Arad has become an important corner stone in the supplier’s global production network, focusing on plastic molding and assembly of mechanical and electronic parts. The production portfolio in Arad contains door handles, lock sets, brackets and fuel filler caps for customers like Porsche, BMW, Volvo, Mercedes, Dacia and several PSA brands.
Apart from the production site in Arad, the European Software Development center of Huf is located in Timisoara. There, about 200 engineers are developing the software for leading edge car access and authorization solutions, like passive entry systems and kick sensors for customers like Audi, BMW, Ford, GM and PSA and innovative solutions enabled by Phone as a Key. In addition, a new testing facility as well as the Shared Service Center Finance have been established in Timisoara.
Note: One photo shows Ioan Posa, Sorin Preda, Dr. Lars Placke (from left to right). The photo was taken at the signing of the contract in January 2020, before the outbreak of global COVID-19 pandemic. At the occasion at the handover, all present complied with COVID-19 hygiene rules and wore mouth and nose protection.
