Ionut Adomnitei, General Manager, Mennekes Iasi: “Our cable production for EV charging will begin by mid-December”

“The construction of the Mennekes Electric Plant in Miroslava, Iasi is 100 percent finalized, and now we are preparing the documentation for local authorities, for plant authorization,” Ionut Adomnitei, General Manager, Mennekes Iasi told Automotive Today.

“Cable production for the charging of electric vehicles is expected to start by the mid of December. Our hiring plan is strictly related to the volume ramp up plan, for the first year we plan to hire roughly 120 people and increase to 300 employees in the next years.”

What is the stage of construction work for the Mennekes plant in Miroslava?

We are proud to say that the construction of the Mennekes Electric Plant in Miroslava, Iasi is 100 percent finalized, and now we are preparing the documentation for local authorities, for plant authorization.

When do you expect the cable production to begin?

As our first production line will arrive at the beginning of December, our focus will be to succeed with the new line validation and setup up, planning to have the first Mennekes Iasi Products by the middle of December.

What will be the production capacity of the plant in the first year of activity?

As the plant is new and we need to introduce new products, training the people, we plan to have a specific ramp up to achieve the volumes for our customers.

What determined Mennekes to choose Miroslava and Iasi County as a destination for the new factory?

After the management of the company decided that the company needs to expand, couple different location in Europe, and also in Romania were initially on the list for the new investment, the final decision was for Iasi, Miroslava, as main points for decision – they find in Iasi trained and skilled people for the industry, they saw Iasi as a cultural & friendly town, good support from authorities for the project.

When will the recruitment process for plant employees begin?

We already started the hiring process, with the main focus for the key positions for Iasi Plant. 

How many people will be hired in the first phase and what are the plans for this?

Our hiring plan is strictly related to the volume ramp up plan, for the first year we plan to hire roughly 120 people and increase to 300 employees in the next years.

What is the value of orders received by Mennekes for this factory? Have you already signed supply contracts? If so, with how many manufacturers and who are they (if you can provide these details)?

As we are expanding our business, we have contracts and agreements with top automotive companies for hybrid and electric automotive markets worldwide.  

What are Mennekes’ plans for the local market? What other investments are you preparing in Romania?

As for now, our focus is to succeed with the new line implementation, ramp up the production and achieve customers’ expectations. For the future, based on the market’s needs, after achieving the maximum plant capacity we will analyse the possibility to enlarge our investment here in Iasi. 

How do you characterize Romania from the perspective of charging infrastructure and demand for electric cars and plug-in hybrids?

As the market for electric cars and plug–in hybrids is increasing, we want to participate on an international basis for our cables and charging stations as the market creates new opportunities. In all the Europe, not only in Romania we see more and more focus for the new automotive technologies, charging stations, and electric car usage. The people interest for the new electric cars is creating the demand for the products, and the charging infrastructure is developing to fulfil this increasing demands and aligns to the needs of the market.