IVG Colbachini inaugurates new Czech hose plant

By Liz White, ERJ staff

Padua, Italy-IVG Colbachini SpA officially opened its new hose plant in Krnov, in the Czech Republic, 27 Feb.

The Italian hose maker said the strategy for this new unit is “the introduction and sales throughout Eastern European markets” of low- and medium-pressure industrial rubber hose.

In the medium-term, IVG's goals for the Krnov base include developing and penetrate markets in Russia, Azerbaijan (important in oil exploration), the Baltic countries and potentially Ukraine, Byelorussia, Georgia and more, said a statement from the Padua-based firm.

Construction at the 100 000 m2 site at Krnov started in December 2002 and the first unit, covering 20 000 m2, began production in Oct 2003. During this first phase, IVG invested some Euros 10 million in Krnov..

By the end of 2004, the plant will manufacture a wide variety of low and medium hose, the firm said. During 2005, IVG plans to add a second shift and double production capacity, bringing the number of people employed to between 70 and 75.

IVG Group said its strategy implies further investment, “not necessarily related to the industrial rubber hose industry,” but always within IVG's current Italian production activities.

With the new unit, IVG now consists of seven companies-in Italy, France, Germany, the UK, the US, Singapore and the Czech Republic-supporting over 40 distributors, with customers located over five continents.

IVG Group currently employs 980 people and had turnover in 2003 of some Euros 110 million, with 50 percent of the business outside Italy, the firm said.

IVG claims to be the “leader in Europe” as well as an important world player, in production of industrial hose for low- and medium-pressure use.

The Krnov manufacturing plant will be managed by IVG Colbachini, whose top management team consists of Giuseppe Aldinio-Colbachini, president, Pier Luigi Cereda, chief executive officer and managing director, and Dario Baessato, general manager .

Shown left to right in the picture are: Pier Luigi Cereda, Giuseppe Aldinio-Colbachini, Daciano Aldinio-Colbachini, Dario Baessato.