Romanian gross industrial output grew by 8.2%in 2017 compared to previous year, mainly due to increases in:
- industrial manufacturing: +8.9%
- mining and quarrying: +5.9%
In December 2017 (versus December 2016) Romania registered, with 13.5%, its highest ever increase in industrial production, compared to the 4.8% average in the EU28. The sector benefits from ongoing foreign investments, M&A interest from foreign players, an educated and productive labor force, and a long tradition of industrial manufacturing, plastics production, metal working and casting.
The industrial manufacturing sector consists mainly of:
- automotive: OEM and auto components
- heavy machinery and machine-tools
- chemical, including plastic, paints & varnishes, glass, cement etc.
- mining and aggregates
- agricultural machinery
- oil and drilling equipment manufacturing
- naval, aviation and defense
- furniture, home appliances, white goods
- metal casting
One of the most dynamic sectors is automotive manufacturing. Romania is an attractive market for foreign OEMs – Ford and Renault already manufacturing in Romania – as well as automotive suppliers. Continental, Michelin, Autoliv, Takata, Schaeffler, Johnson Controls, Pirelli, Delphi, TRW Automotive, Leoni, Dräxlmaier, Yazaki, Daimler – just to name a few – have already manufacturing facilities in the country.
Opportunities for Swiss SMEs
Due to current developments, Romanian industrial players are looking for modern technologies and precision tooling, special materials and machinery. Many of them regularly visit industrial trade fairs, such as the Hannover Messe, in order to identify suitable suppliers.
If you would like to learn more about the opportunity related to the Romanian industrial market, please get in touch with our S-GE Senior Consultant for Central Eastern Europe, Katalin Dreher-Hajnal. Email
Switzerland Global Enterprise also accompanies you at trade fairs worldwide – for example the Hannover Messe. For an overview of the SWISS Pavilion’s joint Swiss stands, click here.
Further information about the industrial manufacturing sector, potential importers in Romania and the opportunities for Swiss SMEs can be found in Jackie Bojor’s blog. She works for the Factor Regional Develpment center (FRD), a privately-owned consulting firm.
