WITTE Automotive is Opening New Production Factory in Panattoni Park Ostrov South. It will Create Hundreds of New Jobs.

The modern facility, spanning 27,000 m² and offering up to 350 new jobs, are located in close proximity to the company’s existing factory. The industrial park is being developed by Panattoni.

"The opening of this factory represents a truly significant step for our company. The new facility will not only allow us to expand production but also increase efficiency through a higher degree of automation and digitalization. At the same time, the new facility will provide better infrastructure and a working environment for our employees, enabling us to respond more effectively to customer needs," says Jiří Šamša, General Manager of WITTE Automotive Czechia.

The company, specializing in the development and production of locking and access systems for the automotive industry, currently employs more than 2,000 people and is one of the largest employers in the Karlovy Vary region. The new factory will focus on the specialized production of exterior painted handles for key customers. This is the third WITTE Automotive branch in the Czech Republic, complementing the existing factory in Nejdek and Ostrov.

"The Karlovy Vary Region has been striving to strengthen its industrial base for a long time and is succeeding in building on its historical tradition. Modern industry can be the driving force behind the economic transformation of the entire region. WITTE Automotive is the first tenant in the newly built building in Panattoni Park Ostrov South. WITTE is a stable employer in the region, and we greatly appreciate the confidence we have in being a partner in the expansion of such a company. The decision to expand within the location confirms the attractiveness of the Karlovy Vary Region for foreign investment," says Pavel Sovička, Managing Director of Panattoni.

The new factory will play a role not only in production, but also in logistics and internal development. Part of the company's strategy is also to optimize the production and logistics processes between the new facotry and the Nejdek site, where WITTE Automotive is also expanding the Spare Parts Centre. This will create an additional 50 jobs, with the company placing emphasis on the inclusion of people with limited ability to work in shift mode and workers in the 55+ age category. "Our goal is not only to grow, but also to create a fair and sustainable working environment for all. We support the professional development of our employees and deploy modern technologies that contribute to production efficiency and better working conditions," adds Jiří Šamša.

The factory also meets modern environmental standards. Sustainable measures include, for example, heat pumps for energy savings, photovoltaic panels to reduce dependence on external energy sources or systems for heat recovery and efficient water management. Electric vehicle charging stations are also part of the infrastructure. The entire project is on track to achieve BREEAM New Construction certification at the Excellent level, which confirms the high standards of environmental responsibility and energy efficiency of the new building.

The new factory also benefits from its strategic location within the Karlovy Vary Region and Central Europe. The site is located a short distance from major industrial and logistics centres. The proximity of the D6 motorway (Prague - Karlovy Vary - Cheb) enables efficient connection to the motorway network in the Czech Republic and Germany. Moreover, the region is well connected to Saxony, which means efficient connections to suppliers and partners in German industrial centres.