The plant, which started operations about 17 years ago, makes Philips-branded espresso machines and Sonicare-branded oral healthcare products in Hunedoara County (central Romania).
The Romanian plant it bought from Italy’s Saeco in 2009 is one of the two production facilities specializing in automatic coffee machines the group has in Europe, Philips said.
Besides the plant, Philips also has Philips Romania, which has import and distribution operations and posted almost 300 million lei (EUR67 million) revenue with only 70 employees in 2013, according to the latest available data.
The plant has recently changed its name from Sogeco to Philips Orastie. Another change was the general manager, a position that went to Romanian Minel Ciurea, whose main goals are to develop and consolidate its position as strategic production facility for the Consumer Lifestyle division in Eastern Europe. Minel Ciurea has an over 17-year management experience and comes from the automotive industry.
Philips Orastie ranked 75th among overall exporters last year and second in the home appliances sector after Arctic Gaesti.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)