They entered the local market in the early 2000, and now their investments raise up to 700 million euros. The three Austrian companies: Kronospan, Egger Holzindustrie Schweighofer currenlty “rule” the Romanian woodworking market, an industry that records turnovers of more than 150 million euros annually.
An important part of their business is aimed for export; thus "Made in Romania" wood reaches Europe, US and Asia, and local production facilities have become centers of strategic importance.
Two of them, Egger and Kronospan aim for further projects, while Holzindustrie Schweighofer said that future plans depend on the contraction of European funds and the stabilisation of the country.
The controlled company Gerald Schweighofer expanded into related fields of activity, last year; however, timber production remains the main activity. In the last two years Holzindustrie bought: the former factory IKEA and a wood processing plant in Comanesti. The value of transactions has not been made public, but the Schweighofer family's total investment in Romania is estimated at 310 million. A "summary" of their business in Romania reveals that Holzindustrie own two mills, one in Sebes (Alba) and one in Radauti (Suceava), Baco factory panels (solid wood panels used in furniture industry) and a glued panels (for do-it-yourself stores). They also have 15,000 hectares of forest, 5,000 hectares of farmland, three plants for the production of biomass energy, and a hotel in Radauti. "We have invested in Romania because of the large forest covered areas, hence because of the potential workforce," said Gerald Schweighofer.
On the other hand, the Kronospan’s portfolio in Romania focuses on the chipboard market, MDF (medium-density fibreboard) and OSB. Kronospan currently present in three areas in Romania: Brasov, Constanta and Sebes. The Austrians own two factories in Sebes (PAL and MDF), which they bought in 2004 from the Italian group MD Fratti. The company completed an investment of 200 million euros last year, in Brasov.
Egger focuses its investments on Radauti factory which became operational in January 2008 after a 210 million euros investment. The company announced a 58 million euros investment in an adhesives plant, a biomass plant and an office building which would "optimize production costs”.
Source: http://www.universulpadurii.ro |
