Finnish company sets up auto components plant in Russia

By David Shaw, ERJ staff

Aura, Finland -- Finnish rubber processor, Reka Rubber is planning to set up a factory in Vyborg, Russia to make rubber goods for the automotive and the white goods sectors.

Currently the company makes moulded rubber goods using both injection and compression moulding; rubber-to-metal bonded items for the auto sector, extruded rubber profiles for the ship-building industry, hoses for the gas station industry in both textile-reinforced and unreinforced varieties.

Reka managing director, Martti Aromaa said the company plans to invest several million euros in the factory, but declined to give a more accurate figure. he added, "This new investment is a logical continuation to Reka Rubber's strategy of becoming local producer for global customers. "

Reka has production facilities in Finland, in the towns of Aura and Rauma and in Poland in the town of Dopiewo. The company generated Euro 15.4 million in sales in 2004.