The Austrian company "Palfinger" today marked the construction of a production facility in Niš, Serbia, worth 35.5 million euros. The start of production is announced for 2024, and by the time the project is completed, in 2027, around 375 new jobs will be created

With a groundbreaking ceremony, representatives of the Palfinger company announced the construction of a super-modern facility where the production of steel components and sub-assemblies for a wide range of products, from loading cranes to access platforms, will be established.

The ceremony was attended by Chief Executive Officer of Palfinger Andreas Klauser, the President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, Ambassador of Austria to the Republic of Serbia Christian Ebner, Minister of Economy Slobodan Cvetković, Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Goran Vesić, Mayor of Niš Dragana Sotirovski and representatives of the Development Agency of Serbia.

Chief Executive Officer of Palfinger, Andreas Klauser, stated that Niš is an ideal place for a new production facility due to its qualified workforce, strategic position and economic support for development.

“We will invest 34.5 million euros, and we have strong government support. This is a crucial part of Palfinger's development, and we aim to expand. We have educated workforce here, with 70 of them having already submitted job applications” added Klauser.

The Austrian Ambassador to Serbia, Christian Ebner, stated that Palfinger's management's decision to operate in Serbia confirms a strong and long-term economic cooperation.

President Vučić stated that Palfinger is a serious company that has arrived in Serbia with a firm commitment to stay for decades. They bring state-of-the-art equipment, offer job opportunities for young people, and provide above-average salaries.

“This company is a global leader, and the main product of Palfinger is articulated truck-mounted cranes, available in around 150 models. The entire production of the Niš factory is intended for export to France, Germany, Austria, and Slovenia.”

The President added that negotiations are ongoing about establishing a research and development center to engage young talents from the University of Niš.

The high standards set by Palfinger are also reflected in the architecture of the new buildings. The plant in Niš will be very proactive in terms of y energy-saving and energy-generating features. The photovoltaic (PV) systems that will be covering a roof area of 15,000 m² will independently produce about 2 MW of peak power when completed.

The company's products are an integral part of Strategy 2030 and the two strategic pillars of the company "Go for Solutions" and "Go Digital". By combining physical and digital solutions, PALFINGER grows into a provider of integral lifting solutions. For the company's customers, this means that they can get both hardware and software solutions in one place - highly networked, individually configured products.

Palfinger is an international technology and mechanical engineering company and the world's leading producer and provider of innovative crane and lifting solutions.

The Palfinger Group comprises 84 companies in 33 countries, with 33 manufacturing and assembly sites and approximately 5,000 sales and service locations in more than 130 countries on all continents.

Palfinger operates within a group consisting of 84 companies in 33 countries, with over 12,500 employees, 31 production and assembly units, and has a sales and service network in over 5,000 locations in more than 130 countries on all continents.

According to the holding's annual report, in 2022 the turnover amounted to a record 2.23 billion euros, which is an increase compared to 2021, when the turnover was around 1.84 billion euros.

PHOTO TANJUG/ VLADIMIR ŠPORČIĆ