Johnson Matthey inaugurated new manufacturing plant in Skopje

The global chemicals and precious metals company Johnson Matthey officially opened its new auto catalyst manufacturing plant at the Bunardzik industrial development zone in Skopje. The construction of the facility cost an investment of 60 million euro.

This is the second Johnson Matthey plant in the industrial zone. The company opened its first factory in Macedonia in April 2010 and estimates it has invested over 130 million euro in the country so far, including the funds for the new plant.

In the new auto catalyst manufacturing facility 200 people will be employed. The factory was inaugurated by the Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski. He noted that the support and cooperation demonstrated by the Macedonian institutions and the favorable business climate in the country had simply enhanced the investor’s plans.

Johnson Matthey is the number one exporter from Macedonia and its contribution to Macedonia’s export will be boosted with the production from the new plant. It is gratifying that the company is satisfied with the skills and achievements of its employees in Macedonia, Gruevski added.

Johnson Matthey’s first investment has obviously justified the company’s expectations. "10 million catalysts in just three years were manufactured in the factory, which is a record for any new Johnson Matthey plant. At the same time, production standards were met for a short period of time and they are the best in their class.

This is an example of what can be achieved with a greenfield investment," John Walker, Executive Director of the Emission Control Technologies division of Johnson Matthey stated.