As Poslovni Dnevnik/Suzana Varosanec writes, back at the end of pandemic-dominated 2020, preparatory work began on a new construction site in one of the business zones of the Jakovlje Municipality in Zagreb County. Despite the global health crisis that was often cited as the reason for many investors to abandon projects, this January saw the beginning of production in the FACC Solutions Croatia plant, which is already delivering the final parts of the cabins of aircraft such as Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and several others. This was confirmed by a member of the Management Board of FACC Solutions Croatia, Matija Feric.
“Back in January, we conducted test production and started serial production and deliveries. The increase in production will take place gradually and in 3 to 6 months we expect to achieve the planned volume of production for this year,” says Feric of the Jakovlje production plant’s capabilities.
At the moment, the company has 130 employees, by the end of the year they intend to significantly increase that number, and in the context of further growth in production, there will be about 400 production workers in the first of three phases.
Despite the classic pain felt by employers which is typical of the Croatian labour market, which is reflected in the lack of would-be workers with the necessary qualifications and skills, that was not the case here at all.
”I can openly say that we found people very easily and we had about 250 open applications. If we show that people can expect normal working conditions and mutual respect between management and employees, our existing workers will be ambassadors for further employment because their recommendations that conditions are good here mean more than traditional methods of employment,” he said.
The project of building the Jakovlje production plant, with a total value of about 35 million euros, adjusted to market conditions and the decline in production for the needs of the aviation industry in the coronavirus crisis, will be implemented in three phases. In the first phase, the main hall – the central part of the production process – was built in the amount of slightly more than 10 million euros.
The contractor was Strabag, the first shovel was driven into the ground back in March 2021, and the project is expected to expand. From composite fibers, the Jakovlje production plant is now completing semi-finished products that are normally produced in nearby Austria and delivering them to the parent company, the Austrian FACC.
FACC includes four more production facilities and one technology centre in Upper Austria, and the company is one of the world leaders in equipping certain internal parts of aircraft.
Following the past two years which were packed with unprecedented and great challenges, the situation in the industry is showing clear signs of the beginning of market recovery, so according to these sources, a return to pre-pandemic levels is expected in a short period of time.
The projections show a return to the state of 2019 during 2024, but Feric believes that this is realistically achievable as early as 2023, which is supported by the completed order books from various airlines. The fastest growth is expected in the segment of short and medium range aircraft (“single-aisle” planes such as the A320).
“Starting the recovery of the aviation industry will affect the business of all suppliers. FACC is ready to firmly support the plans of its business partners, so that accelerated business growth and market development can be expected,” concluded Feric.
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