NOBO AUTOMOTIVE starts production of seats for BMW in GARBE PARK České Budějovice

GARBE, a specialist in logistics and industrial real estate in Central and Eastern Europe, starts construction of a second hall in GARBE PARK České Budějovice. The new tenant will be NOBO AUTOMOTIVE, a premium supplier of interiors, exteriors, seats and auto electronics. In České Budějovice, NOBO AUTOMOTIVE will manufacture seat sets for premium BMW cars, including selected key components. This is the largest lease of industrial space concluded in the first quarter of 2024, covering nearly 30,000 sqm, brokered by CBRE.

On 16 May 2024, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Boršov nad Vltavou, on the site of the new hall, which was attended and addressed by representatives of the Chinese and Czech representatives of NOBO AUTOMOTIVE, together with representatives of GARBE, CBRE, BMW and local politicians.

Manfred Zhuang, CEO of NOBO Group, mentioned in his speech, "The establishment of the Czech plant is a significant milestone in the international business development of NOBO AUTOMOTIVE and opens up a new opportunity for profitable cooperation with the Czech Republic. Regardless of the geographical distance between the two countries, boosting economic development and promoting innovation is a common goal, especially as both countries have huge potential in the automotive sector."

Robert Maška, General Manager of NOBO AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CZECH REPUBLIC s.r.o., followed, saying: "The first imaginary mark on the map of Europe for NOBO, represented by the newly established location in České Budějovice, is a very complex project of seat production, which is unique in the Czech Republic. We do not plan to be just another assembly plant, but a manufacturing plant that will produce the individual parts of this premium product in addition to assembling the seats, thus creating added value. The main priority will be to assemble the right team of employees who will form an important basis for the successful achievement of the various milestones of the project and will participate in the growth of the new company."

David Havelec, HR Manager at NOBO AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CZECH REPUBLIC s.r.o., said, "We currently have approximately 30 open positions that we want to fill by the end of 2024 with a target of 500+ employees at the turn of 2026 and 2027.

Martin Polák, GARBE's Director for Eastern and Central Europe, said: "The attractiveness of our GARBE Park in České Budějovice is underlined by the start of construction of the second hall within one year. The location of the Park, its technological background and accessibility is an advantage for tenants connected to companies in Germany. The hall therefore also met the requirements for the lease of NOBO AUTOMOTIVE, which will have the hall at its disposal from December 2024."

Speaking on behalf of the politicians on stage was the Mayor of Boršov nad Vltavou, Mgr. "Our Chinese friends are bringing business to us, they will produce seats for the iconic German BMW cars in the Czech Republic. It seems paradoxical - the Chinese are making car seats for Germans in the Czech Republic, but that is not the case at all. On the contrary, it is total pragmatism that has the power to sharpen the spikes of discord between nations and states."

Jan Hřivnacký, Head of Industrial Leasing at CBRE, comments, "This transaction confirms the growing interest of foreign investors in the South Bohemia region. We clearly see that the region is being considered by more and more companies entering the Czech market for the first time. In particular, NOBO AUTOMOTIVE has leased one entire hall. We represented the company from the selection of a suitable location through the negotiation of lease terms and the signing of the lease agreement. The CBRE project management team is now actively involved in the construction of the hall, supervising the quality of the work and ensuring that all the requirements of NOBO AUTOMOTIVE's production technology are met."