LOGISTICS FOR MANUFACTURERS IN WESTERN ROMANIA
Logistics Portal, the logistics event of the year in Romania, brought together the main logistics operators and developers present on the Romanian market, in total more than 300 participants. Additionally, it provided updated information about timing of national infrastructure development.
Transylvania highway – to be finalized 2013
Romania intends to connect the central part of the country with the Hungarian highways system, by building a highway from Brasov (Ro) to Debrecen (Hu) The route comprises main cities such as: Oradea, Cluj, Brasov, and the works are expected to be finalized in 2013. The length of the highway is 416 kms and so far about 20 kms have been finalized in the Cluj region. It is expected that Nokia presence in Cluj will push authorities to finalize sooner the Cluj-Oradea segment.
Oradea – Arad express road - to be finalized in 2013
Fast transit between the two main Romanian highways is ensured by Express roads. One of the most important express road is Arad – Oradea with about 135 kms. The express road is a 4 lanes road and is designed with bypasses and exits in the main cities along the road.
Another important express road, Craiova-Oradea is expected to be finalized sooner, in 2011, as again is expected that another important investor, Ford, will push the authorities to provide the necessary infrastructure soon.
Opportunities for manufacturers
Low-cost countries relocation is one of the few solutions available to manufacturers operating in high-costs environments in Western Europe. The existing economic crisis is forcing manufacturers to strive for higher efficiencies. And lowering salaries cost by going in a low-cost country plus opting to rent premises versus buying them, can help manufacturers to better cruise over the financial crunch instabilities
After numerous automotive investments in Western Romania in the past years, the area is becoming even more interesting for automotive components suppliers after Mercedes announced its decision for its new factory in Central & Eastern Europe, which will to be set-up at Kecskemet, in Eastern Hungary. New infrastructure developments such Transylvania highway and Arad-Oradea Express road represent the cherry on the pie.
For the Mercedes suppliers locating on the Romanian side of the border, the 
delivery time to up to Kecskemet is still reasonable, as we are speaking about 2 or 3 hours truck drive from Arad, Oradea or Timisoara up to the expected Mercedes plant. And obviously, once crossing the border into Romania, the Romanian labor cost compared to the Hungarian labor looks much more attractive.
IPEC is offering suppliers industrial space to localize their production in 2 areas in Romania: Western Romania (100 kms to future Mercedes plant in Kecskemet) and Southern Romania (proximity of the existing Ford plant). Other locations are available for Slovakia as well.
For further information
you may email us at:
romania@ipec-group.com
or call at: +4.0749.034.451.
