Vucic hands new factory keys to PKC Group

SMEDEREVO - Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic handed on Thursday the keys to the new production hall in Smederevo to its lessee PKC Group, a Finland-based manufacturer of wiring systems and electronics for commercial vehicles.

PKC Group agreed to employ 1,500 people in the next three years, Vucic said at the ceremony, and expressed hope that new jobs will be created later on for up to 2,000 people.

The prime minister pointed out that the facility was constructed within the set deadline of three months. With this, Serbia has shown that it meets its promises and that it has workers "who want to fight for their companies, families and country," he underlined.
"Today we have shown the true face of Serbia and it is with pride that I will visit Finland in January and meet with its prime minister and businessmen," said Vucic, adding that an agreement with another Finnish company is being prepared, which will involve the Priboj-based motor vehicle manufacturer FAP.

Juha Torniainen, member of the PKC Group's Executive Board, said that the company has 370 employees in Smederevo and plans to open a new production facility in early 2015.

The 20,000 square meter production hall has been leased to PKC Group for a period of ten years. According to Torniainen, the company committed to investing at least EUR 8 million in the new plant over the next three years.

Finnish Ambassador to Serbia Pekka Orpana commended the builders for completing the project within deadline, admitting that three months ago he did not think it was possible.

It looks like a miracle, but this is the result of strong leadership, determination and professionalism, as well as of hard work of all those involved in the project, said...