ZF Friedrichshafen to open a new plant in Serbia

The German car parts supplier ZF Friedrichshafen is to open a new plant in Serbia by the end of April. Located Pancevo, near Belgrade, the facility will produce power components for hybrid and electric vehicles, with further expansion expected to begin mid-year. The company is also setting up a 5,000 sqm research and development center that will employ 100 engineers. Work on the new production unit began in June 2018 with the total investment expected to run to €160m. The factory will expand to 25,000 sqm by 2021 and should employ 540 people by that point. In the project's second phase, which should begin in 2022, another 25,000 sqm production hall will be built. ZF supplies automobile brands such as Audi, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz.