On June 12, 2019, the German company “ZF Friedrichshafen AG” opened their first ZF Serbia factory in Pančevo. This factory will produce electric motors, electric machines, and generators for hybrid and electric drives as well as switches for gearboxes and micro switches. The factory will produce parts for Mercedes, Audi, Volvo and other renowned automotive brands.
By 2021, investments in the newly-built factory and its expansion will total 160 mil Euro. In addition to the 300 employees already working in the first plant, it will provide 1000 more new working places upon completion of the second plant, including building of a Research and Development Centre in the same location.
The official ceremony was attended by the highest dignitaries of the two countries: His Excellency Mr. Thomas Schieb, Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany to Serbia, Mr. Joerg Heeskens, advisor to the President of Serbia, Mr. Aleksandar Vučić, President of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Igor Mirović, Prime Minister in the Government of Vojvodina, as well as Mr. Saša Pavlov, Mayor of the City of Pančevo. Among their hosts were top management of the ZF Serbia, but also the highest management of the mother company “ZF Friedrichshafen AG” from Germany – Mr. Michael Hankel, Member of the Board of Directors and Mr. Jorg Grottendorst, President of the ZF E-Mobility Division.
After a short demonstration stroll through the production halls, all dignitaries shared the same exceptional satisfaction with the results of cooperation. The hosts from Germany announced that Pančevo production site will become the most important ZF E-mobility production site outside Germany. They underlined that the excellence of cooperation with all Serbian stakeholders in this undertaking set a benchmark for others.
All the speakers agreed that this company will open up the doors to new investors, to local suppliers and especially to young experts from Serbia who will gain high tech knowledge and participate in the development of this fast growing sector in Serbia.
