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VGP Group begins construction on a manufacturing facility for SSI Technologies, Inc.

PwC and PwC Legal has been delighted to support the technology-driven autoparts supplier SSI in expanding their production into Europe. PwC Legal has assisted SSI on all aspects of their investment, including setting up their Czech company, negotiating SSI's lease with VGP, preparing their standard employment agreements, and other legal matters. PwC has likewise assisted SSI in tax, payroll, HR and other matters related to starting up their business in the Czech Republic. Michael Mullen, AmCham board member and head of PwC Legal, has been directly involved in assisting SSI.

On April 24, 2015, VGP Group began construction on a new manufacturing facility for SSI Technologies, Inc. (“SSI”) in its Přestanov Park just outside Ústí nad Labem.

SSI is a privately-held United States manufacturing company established in 1982 that designs and manufactures a wide variety of pressure, level, and magnetic sensors and control systems for the worldwide automotive and non-automotive markets, including the on and off-highway heavy vehicle markets. SSI’s corporate headquarters are located in Janesville, Wisconsin, USA.

In order to satisfy a growing demand for its products from its European customers, SSI elected to extend its manufacturing capacity and presence in Europe under the auspices of its wholly-owned Czech Republic subsidiary, SSI Technologies s.r.o.

Frank Jassner, Director of Operations at SSI Technologies s.r.o. explains:
“For SSI Technologies, coming to the Czech Republic is a major step. It is our first manufacturing location outside of North America. We have chosen the Czech Republic, and specifically Ústí nad Labem, for a variety of reasons. The criteria included the proximity to our customers, as well as an easy access to the motorway and airports. Obviously workforce availability played an important role in our decision making process, as well.”

SSI Technologies s.r.o. will lease a hall with 3,515 m2 of production space and 1,820 m2 of office space. Petr Kovařík, commercial officer of VGP states:
“We are pleased to have succeeded in concluding a contract with SSI Technologies s.r.o for their new European manufacturing facility and to have established a long-term relationship with SSI. The first part of the building will be handed over in the fourth quarter of 2015.”

Additionally, SSI Technologies’ entry into the Czech Republic was supported by CzechInvest, the Investment and Business Development Agency of the Czech Republic. Dalibor Zikmund, Director of the Investment Division of CzechInvest observes: “CzechInvest is always welcoming investments into the Czech Republic because they bring a certain added value. SSI Technologies is undoubtedly an example of just such an investment. I want to emphasize that SSI decided to build its plant in a region where many people are seeking employment opportunities, and it is an employer that can offer new jobs. I wish SSI Technologies a successful development in the Czech Republic. They can continue to expect maximum support from CzechInvest,”

SSI is a technology driven company with a mission to provide customers with sensor solutions and products that exceed their expectations for quality, performance and value. SSI’s goal is to assist its customers in surpassing any regulatory requirements by remaining focused on their needs from initial product concept through the entire life cycle of their product.
Production and deliveries to customers from SSI’s Czech Republic based SSI Technologies s.r.o. manufacturing facility are planned to commence during the fourth quarter of 2016. During the initial phase of its project, the company will employ upwards of 125 people, with a planned capital investment of USD 12 million. The company intends to co-operate primarily with local suppliers of products and services.

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Profile of SSI Technologies, Inc.
SSI Technologies, Inc. is a United States based manufacturing company established in 1982, with headquarters in Janesville, Wisconsin, USA. The company designs and manufactures a wide variety of pressure, level, and magnetic sensors and control systems for the worldwide automotive and non-automotive markets, including the on and off-highway heavy vehicle markets. In addition to a number of engineering and manufacturing facilities located in the United States, SSI maintains several business development and/or technical centers located in Munich, Germany, Tokyo, Japan and Sao Paulo, Brazil.