Mekoprint bygger ny fabrik i Ukraine
Mekoprint cementerer firmaets stærke engagement i Ukraine gennem etableringen af ny fabrik omkring 160 km vest for Kiev (in english).
The Danish industrial concern Mekoprint is experiencing great demand and is now expanding the production in the northwestern part of Ukraine. The expansion ensures that Mekoprint can keep the wheels turning in Ukraine and at the same time maintain its efficient production of cable solutions in a modern newly built factory, while at the same time strengthening the company’s global competitiveness in Europe.
The world trade has in recent years been characterized by problems with the global supply chains, but the industrial concern Mekoprint is now taking a new initiative to secure deliveries to the company’s many European customers. While some companies completely or partially close down production in Ukraine due to the war, Mekoprint goes the opposite way. The company’s division Mekoprint Cables will shortly move into a new factory of 3,600 square meters in the northwestern part of the country. The expansion is part of Mekoprint’s strategy to str
engthen its position and competitiveness.– The expansion means that we get more than three times as much space as before. We have long had plans to expand production in Ukraine due to the high demand for specially designed cable solutions, and with the expansion we ensure increased capacity for our loyal customers. The new factory is an important part of our ambition to strengthen our global platform and make us even more competitive, says Anders Kold, CEO of Mekoprint.
The new factory is located next to the current production facilities in the small town of Chernyakhiv 160 km. west of Kiev. Mekoprint closed its factory for six weeks earlier this year and moved parts of the production from Ukraine to the company’s factory in Poland, but now production in Ukraine is back to normal levels and capacity will increase shortly when the new factory is put into operation.
There are both business and human considerations behind the decision to expand production in Ukraine. Mekoprint Cables currently has 94 employees in the country, but the number is increasing, as the company expects to double its activity in Ukraine within 2-3 years.
– The expansion of production in Ukraine must be seen in the light of the fact that the situation is safe and stable in that part of the country. Although we naturally focus on running a healthy business and must be competitive on all parameters, human considerations also weigh heavily, and we are incredibly happy about our talented employees in Ukraine. At the same time, we maintain our efficient production and high quality, says Anders Kold.
If problems should arise in Ukraine, Mekoprint can quickly move production to a factory in Poland. Transport in and out of Ukraine also takes place via Poland, and customers can rest assured that the logistics are under control.
Impressed by the employees
Mekoprint has made a thorough assessment of whether it is appropriate to maintain production in Ukraine, and the situation in the western part of the country speaks for staying. In a larger city 20 km. from Chernyakhiv there have been missile attacks, but the local population does not experience the war directly.
- Our employees have made an incredible effort during a very turbulent period. The employees are naturally worried, but they would much rather go to work than sit at home and follow news about the war all day. We are very impressed by the way they have helped each other and approached the situation, says Lars L. Rasmussen, who is division director of Mekoprint Cables.
He adds that the war has contributed to the fact that employees across national borders have moved closer together. Even though employees have not met, employees in Denmark still think of their Ukrainian colleagues. Among other things, this has resulted in Danish employees carrying out a collection earlier this year to support their colleagues in Ukraine.
– There is no doubt that we have tied our Ukrainian colleagues closer to us, and this has given us stronger unity throughout the organization, says Lars L. Rasmussen, who adds that the dialogue with the employees in Ukraine has strengthened because the war makes it extra important to pay attention to their well-being.
Mekoprint Cables is one of the four divisions in Mekoprint that have set the course for significant growth in the coming years, and when production moves to the new factory, the company will gradually increase production in line with demand.
