The Management Board of Tognum AG explains that the decision is the result of worsening economic conditions in the world. In the press release the Company announced that the demand for series 4000 engines is lower and production in the oil and gas and power generator markets and in the mining sector is at a stand-still. The oil and gas market makes up one fourth of the annual production and neither this year nor in 2013 is it planning any major purchases of engines. Considering such market conditions, the construction of a production plant in Poland may start only late in summer 2013.

The production plant in the High Technologies Industrial Park in Stargard Szczeciński was planned to launch the production of heads and large components, designed in particular for the series 4000 engines, in the second half of 2013. The parts would be installed in engines, propulsion systems and power devices in the plants in Aiken (USA), Suzhou (China) and in the headquarters in Friedrichshafen. Poland, apart from the production division, would also be the location for a research and development unit developing mechanical and electrical engine components. In 2015 the plant would hire as many as 200 employees. The cost of the investment project was estimated at EUR 90 million. A symbolic start of the works on the new plant took place in July.

The Management Board of Tognum said that the offices of MTU Polska will continue operations, the project will not be stopped and major works will carry on. Germany’s Tognum specialises in the production of engines used in ships, heavy land and rail vehicles as well as in the production of power generation systems. The Group hires 10 thousand people all over the world and its annual turnover exceeds EUR 2 billion. The history of the company goes back to the beginnings of the 20th century. Last year a joint venture owned by Rolls-Royce and Daimler became the majority shareholder of Tognum.

ŁP