Category Slovakia

How Japanese General Contractors Win Non-Japanese Clients in Europe

In Europe, Japanese general contractors are not working only with Japanese manufacturers. They have successfully delivered factory construction projects for Korean, German, American, and Swiss companies as well. The reason goes beyond language or cultural familiarity: Japanese contractors are valued for their ability to manage design, construction, and production facility integration as a single project, ensuring factories start operations on schedule. This article reviews several European factory projects and explores why non-Japanese manufacturers choose Japanese contractors, offering insights into how Japanese companies can approach non-Japanese clients in the European market.

HVAC Energy Saving and CO₂ Reduction Strategies for Manufacturing Facilities

In Europe, rising energy prices and increasingly strict decarbonization targets have made HVAC energy efficiency and CO₂ reduction a critical issue for manufacturing facilities.
This article outlines practical HVAC energy-saving strategies, ranging from operational improvements to equipment retrofits and system upgrades, with a focus on factories and warehouses in Central and Eastern Europe.
In many cases, energy reductions of 10–30% can be achieved by optimizing existing operations and controls, even without large-scale equipment replacement.

Summary of New Investments and Expansion Trends in European Manufacturing

While Europe’s manufacturing sector is often portrayed as being in decline, investment activity tells a more nuanced story. In Central and Eastern Europe in particular, new projects in electric vehicles, batteries, defense, and high-value manufacturing continue to move forward. This article reviews major new investments and expansion projects announced between late 2025 and early 2026, with a focus on Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

Latest Trends in Manufacturing Investment by Foreign Companies in Slovakia

Slovakia, often called the “Detroit of Europe,” continues to attract large-scale foreign manufacturing investment. Since 2025, global companies from Europe, the U.S., Korea, and China have expanded their presence, particularly in electric vehicles and battery industries. Major projects include Volvo’s €1.2 billion EV plant near Košice, Hyundai Mobis’ new EV module factory in Nováky, and Gotion-InoBat’s €1.2 billion battery gigafactory in Šurany, together creating thousands of new jobs and reinforcing Slovakia’s role as a Central European hub for green and high-tech industries.