CzechInvest held a meeting for potential suppliers of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech and KIA Motors Slovakia in Ostrava on 15 November 2018. The carmakers had previously selected potential business partners from the sectoral database of suppliers administered by CzechInvest, which also assisted the companies with contacting the firms. The suppliers’ day event was attended by 37 firms from the Czech Republic and Poland that manufacture, for example, vehicle bodies, chassis, interior and exterior components, fluid lines and wiring systems.
The main purpose of the suppliers’ day was to seek out Czech suppliers for the Hyundai and KIA factories and to present the carmakers’ supply strategy to potential future partners. The strategy is now focused more on localisation of production and increasing competitiveness on the demanding European market. The automotive industry has a strong tradition and high quality in Europe and the Czech Republic and thus the companies’ focus on local suppliers is a logical step.
The suppliers’ day was divided into a general part and individual meetings, during which representatives of Hyundai and KIA met with potential suppliers and discussed possible collaboration.