Japanese company JFE Shoji marked the beginning of construction of a factory for the production of motor cores with a groundbreaking ceremony. The total investment value exceeds 51 million euros, with a planned workforce of 102 employees.

INĐIJA, March 18, 2024 - In the Industrial Zone in Inđija, on a 10-hectare plot, the construction of a factory has been marked for the production of engine cores for a wide range of applications, from household electrical appliances to auxiliary and main engines for the automotive industry.

JFE Shoji, a subsidiary of one of Japan's leading corporations, JFE Shoji Corporation, and a member of JFE Holding, is present in 22 regions worldwide. The investment in Inđija marks JFE Shoji's first factory in Serbia and Europe. The official production commencement in Serbia is scheduled for 2025.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the JFE Shoji Serbia factory was attended by Executive Vice President of JFE Shoji Corporation, Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, Ambassador of Japan to Belgrade, Akira Imamura, Minister of Trade, Tourism, and Telecommunications, Tomislav Momirović, Director of the Office for Dual Education and the National Qualifications Framework, Gabrijela Grujić, Mayor of Inđija, Vladimir Gak, as well as representatives of the Development Agency of Serbia.

Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, Executive Vice President of JFE Shoji Corporation, emphasized that human resources, infrastructure, and government support were crucial factors in choosing the location for the future factory in Europe.

"We are a Japanese trading company and one of the world's leading companies in the field of electrical steel for motors and transformers. To strengthen our supply chain, we sought an appropriate location in Europe. As a result of careful consideration, we concluded that Inđija in Serbia is the most attractive location for building our first factory in Europe, considering the potential of human resources and infrastructure," said Kobayashi.

Addressing the attendees, Executive Vice President of JFE Shoji Corporation, also highlighted that the latest technology, on which their factory production is based, will contribute to the development of the automotive and electrical industries in both Serbia and Europe.

Ambassador of Japan to Belgrade, Akira Imamura, expressed satisfaction that the company chose Serbia and Inđija for its first factory in Europe.

"JFE Shoji is an extremely important company within the JFE Group, one of the leading steel producers. In this factory in Inđija, JFE Shoji Serbia will produce motor cores for Nidec in Novi Sad, as well as for companies in other countries," Imamura said at the groundbreaking ceremony.

President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, emphasized the importance of Japanese investment for Serbia's future. President Vučić highlighted that it is a very important investment. Besides using the latest technology, the president expressed confidence that the company will attract new Japanese investors to our country, both as suppliers and manufacturers.

JFE Shoji operates within one of the leading corporations, JFE Shoji Corporation. Founded in 1954, it currently employs over 8,500 workers in more than 54 plants and branches in China, the ASEAN region, and America. It is a member of the JFE Holding group, present in 22 regions worldwide. The group employs 64 thousand workers, while the operational revenue in 2022 amounted to over 1.5 billion euros.

Photo: TANJUG/VLADIMIR ŠPORČIĆ

Daruma Doll Symbolizing Perseverance and Happiness

Before the groundbreaking ceremony, President Vučić, together with Akira Imamura, the Ambassador of Japan to Serbia, painted the left eye of a Japanese Daruma doll. Daruma dolls are seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck, and has a long history dating back to the 17th century.