“2013 was a good year, but I expect this year to be even better. I expect revenue to rise by 10% and a profit of at least EUR15 million against last year’s level of EUR11 million,” said the industrialist.
In 2013, the businessman’s company posted an almost fivefold revenue increase, nearing the 2008 level. In 2012, Astra Vagoane Calatori reached revenue of EUR12 million and net profit of EUR1.6 million, according to Finance Ministry data.
Blidar is one of the few Romanians who own plants built during the period of Romania’s massive industrialization. In 2013, the company’s entire output was exported.
This year, Blidar will deliver 20 railcars to Brazil’s Vale, with which it signed a contract of around EUR100 million in 2012. In 2013, the businessman also won a EUR73 million contract with Czech company RegioJet.
The businessman is seeking contracts on other markets as well. He underscores the plant’s activity was flat from last year in the first months of 2014. The Arad plant employs 800 people.
Valer Blidar is also readying for tram production in Arad. “We’re about to start the two projects related to the production of new trams in Arad and upgrading of Timisoara trams,” he said.
The businessman won two auctions, one organized by Timisoara city hall, for the retooling of 30 trams, in a contract worth RON65 million (EUR15 million), and another one for the production of six new trams for the transporter of Arad.
Overall, the Arad plant has a production capacity of 36 trams annually, according to the businessman who is seeking new contracts for tram production.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)