First big company for Holešov: MITAS invests CZK 1 billion

24 Aug. 2010 | CzechInvest, Industry Servis ZK, MITAS | The Czech company MITAS is planning to invest more than CZK 1 billion and create up to 550 new jobs at the Holešov strategic industrial zone, where it will produce primarily tires for agricultural machines.

MITAS has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Zlín region and wants to begin construction next year. The new Czech enterprise should be in full operation by 2014.

“MITAS will occupy 6.5 hectares in the Holešov industrial zone and is obtaining an option on an additional six,” says Alexandra Rudyšarová, acting CEO of CzechInvest. “The zone in Holešov has been open to investors for not even a year. In that time, it has already attracted five investors, which have undertaken to create more than a thousand new jobs. In light of the fragile state of the world economy, that is an excellent result.”

“MITAS’s decision is further evidence that the Holešov industrial zone is attractive for investors. The zone offers not only technically well-prepared land plots, but also good transport accessibility, an available skilled workforce and an industrial tradition,” Libor Lukáš, deputy governor of the Zlín region.

According to Mr. Lukáš, the entrance of a large investor fits into the region’s concept for filling the zone. “We are endeavouring to ensure diversification of the zone’s occupants, both in terms of the size of investors as well as their areas of operation. The current development indicates that we are successful in this regard,” Lukáš adds.

MITAS a.s. considered several locations before selecting the best site for expanding its production. “Holešov is a suitable location thanks to the technical preparedness of the industrial zone as well as its proximity to two of our manufacturing plants. Our field has a tradition in the region. In the Holešov strategic industrial zone, we well produce tires for tractors and other agricultural machines, which comprise an important item in our portfolio,” says Josef Křemeček, vice-chairman of the MITAS board of directors, according to whom the modern operation in Holešov will meet the strictest requirements for occupational safety and elimination of environmental risks.

“MITAS is the fifth investor to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Zlín region, though it is meanwhile the biggest declared project in the Holešov strategic industrial zone. Negotiations with two other investors are currently moving toward a conclusion,” says Jakub Černoch, COO of Industry Servis ZK, the company owned by the Zlín region which is responsibility for the preparation and subsequent operation of the Holešov strategic industrial zone.

More about Mitas a.s.

MITAS, a.s. is a manufacturer and seller of tires for industrial and construction machines, forklifts and motorcycles. MITAS currently owns four manufacturing plants – in Prague, Zlín and Otrokovice in the Czech Republic and in the city of Ruma, Serbia. The company employs approximately 2,250 workers, and last year its consolidated revenues amounted to CZK 6.572 billion, of which exports accounted for CZK 5.938. In addition to its manufacturing plants, MITAS has a global network of branch offices. The company is part of the CGS Tyres group and is one of the leading European exporters of off-road tires.

More about the Holešov strategic industrial zone

The Holešov strategic industrial zone covers a total of 360 hectares and thus ranks among the biggest developed sites in the country. Land plots ranging in size from 0.5 to 100 ha are available to investors and can be partitioned or combined depending on investors’ specific requirements. The Zlín region has been preparing the Holešov strategic industrial zone for approximately three years. Other strategic industrial zones in the Czech Republic include those in Kolín, Nošovice and Mošnov.