VMI to open Polish expansion in September

Leszno, Poland – Dutch tire machinery manufacturer VMI is set to inaugurate its new Polish production plant in September, slightly later than scheduled.

Speaking to ERJ, a VMI spokeswoman confirmed that the plant, will start operation before September but the official opening will be after summer.

VMI broke ground on the new manufacturing site in November last year, with completion scheduled for the second quarter of 2017.

“The delay is because we couldn’t organise the opening earlier, during the summer season,” explained the spokeswoman. 

With the opening of the new plant, VMI will close its nearby rental site in Poland where it employs 40 people.

The facility will initially employ 125 people, and operate to the “latest lean principles”.

The site, in its initial phase will cover an area of 13,500 sq.m built on an 8-hectare plot of land, and will supply to VMI’s global client base. 

Leszno was chosen due to its proximity to universities and technical schools and its “ability to attract well-motivated and highly qualified technically skilled employees,” said VMI in November 2016.

The new facility, according to VMI, will use “state-of-the-art” technology to shorten delivery times.