Austria's Wienerberger group, the world's largest producer of bricks and second largest operator on the European roofing market, is likely to invest 18 million euros in a ceramic blocks and construction materials facility in Cluj-Napoca.
Wienerberger owns two brick plants in Romania, in Sibiu and Gura Ocnitei (Dambovita), in which it has invested over 27 million euros to date.
On Monday Wienerberger officials held a meeting with the mayor of Cluj, Emil Boc, at which they presented their investment plans.
"Since the municipality does not have land to offer foreign investors, we are trying to attract investors by making it easier for them to get the necessary authorisations, within legal limits," the mayor of Cluj told ZF Transilvania.
He added that the investment would begin in 2006 and would create over 100 new jobs.
The Austrian group plans to collaborate on the project with Sanex Cluj, a company owned by another Austrian group, Lasselsberger. This could materialise in the form of a takeover of production space from Sanex, according to sources close to the project.
Last year Wienerberger's management announced an investment plan of close to 100 million euros that would be implemented on the Romanian market over five years.
The Austrian brick producer intends to open a further two ceramic block production units during this time.
Cluj and other locations have been chosen for the project, the sources added.
"Wienerberger is interested in investing in this project, which is linked to new production units. Collaboration with Sanex will be another part of the project," the sources explained.
The Romanian construction materials market, which offers attractive profits and is currently in full swing, has become a major target for foreign investors, who have announced acquisition plans and plans to build new facilities.
Late last year the Austrian group was granted financing by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) worth a total of 5.6 million euros, of which 4 million euros is in cash and 1.6 million euros acquired stock.
EBRD announced it would grant Wienerberger a credit facility of 50 million euros for its expansion into South-East Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. transilvania@zf.ro ; adrian.mirsanu@zf.ro
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