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A sustainable, class-leading automotive production hall has been inaugurated in Debrecen. The 15,300 square metre high-tech plant, a joint development of Panattoni Hungary and OTP Real Estate Investment Fund, was built for ZF Chassis Modules. The new plant will supply chassis components to the neighbouring BMW plant and create 220 new jobs in the North-West Economic Zone.
The 15,300 square metre high-tech production hall jointly developed by Panattoni Hungary and OTP Real Estate Investment Fund was inaugurated in Debrecen on Tuesday.
The plant, which is being developed for ZF Chassis Modules as a build-to-suit plant, will supply chassis to BMW’s Debrecen plant and is the second such development in Hungary, following the recently inaugurated ZF unit in Kecskemét.
The environmentally friendly plant, which is based on 21st-century solutions and is a nearly HUF 7.5 billion investment, will create 220 new jobs in the North-West Economic Zone in close cooperation with the local government.
Panattoni Hungary, the Hungarian subsidiary of the world’s leading industrial logistics real estate developer, has ensured that the development will simultaneously protect natural habitats, ensure sustainability and meet BMW’s stringent manufacturing requirements. As a result, a complex industrial ecosystem was created on the site, which was vacant a few years ago, by Tuesday’s handover, with a developed road network, utilities and associated industrial facilities. Despite complex expectations, the project was completed on time, allowing the client ZF Chassis Modules to start production on schedule.
“Following the Kecskemét project, we are proud to report from Debrecen that we have successfully implemented a complex, high-tech industrial property development project in a class of its own. The project progressed at the planned pace and was completed on time, reflecting Panattoni’s core values of agility, efficiency and reliability in industrial real estate development,” Managing Director of Panattoni Hungary László Kemenes said.
The new plant, which will produce front and rear axles, is a key element in the supply chain of BMW’s Debrecen plant.
“The plant assembles front and rear axles on a just-in-sequence schedule, in the exact order and with the technical content that fits in with the car production schedule. After the full ramp-up, 35 cars per hour will have their chassis assembled and delivered to BMW. On highly automated production lines, 22 to 24 operations are carried out to produce the front and rear axles separately.
To ensure the continuous operation of the production, the logistics department ensures the replenishment, stocking and servicing of nearly 500 different parts from more than 60 suppliers, according to BMW’s forecasts,” Plant Manager of ZF Chassis Modules Hungary pointed out.
All parameters of the plant, which operates with no local CO2 emissions and electric heat pumps, were adapted to the specific needs of the client.
According to Csaba Varjassy, series production is expected to start in August 2025.
The project was financed by the owner OTP Real Estate Investment Fund.
“It is of utmost importance for us to participate in investments that represent sustainable value in the long term. The Debrecen plant also has a strong focus on ESG aspects: the building aims to achieve BREEAM Excellent certification, and special lighting and wildlife protection solutions have been applied to protect the environment,” Managing Director of OTP Real Estate Investment Fund, Gábor Jandácsik emphasised.
The plant has 43.85 percent green area, and its lighting system is designed to prevent light from spreading beyond the site boundary. The construction was carried out by DVM Greenfield. Thanks to their expertise, the project was not only completed to a high technical standard, but also met specific sustainability requirements. An example of this is the special gateway system at the fence, which allows the unhindered movement of small animals crossing the fields.
The development is another significant step in the economic growth of Debrecen and its region. Such industrial investments are particularly important for the Eastern Hungary region, as they contribute to strengthening the local economy, reducing emigration and increasing the region’s competitiveness.
“With the arrival of BMW, an investment has been made that has brought the latest technologies from the automotive industry to our region and has created a whole ecosystem of suppliers. A key member of this chain is ZF Foxconn, which has been shaping the present and, of course, the future of the automotive industry for more than 30 years. ZF’s arrival is also of particular importance for Debrecen, as the 16,000 square metre site, which is not only the assembly of front and rear axles, but also the company’s clear professional commitment to electromobility and its development strategy are reflected in the company’s investment. These can contribute to making Debrecen a centre of the industry of the future, a European hub for electromobility. The cooperation between ZF and BMW guarantees that
Debrecen will not only be a centre for car manufacturing, but also an innovation hub that is constantly evolving and adapting to the latest industry trends,” Dr. László Papp, Mayor of Debrecen explained.
He added that Tuesday’s factory handover is proof that Debrecen is on the right track.
The new plant will primarily recruit assembly operators, logistics operators, forklift drivers and maintenance staff, as well as filling a number of office positions.
Source and photo credit:dehir.hu
