Early registration is open for CEE Automotive Forum in Budapest (20-21 of November)

ACB News

The 6th Annual CEE Automotive Forum (Budapest, 20-21 November) is a unique occasion to meet numerous industry leaders from 17 countries under one roof, visit the award winners and walk around the facilities of Robert Bosch Kft. Engineering Center and Continental Manufacturing plant in Budapest, and celebrate the best achievers of the year at the CEE Automotive Awards Ceremony. The event includes also B2B meetings. Register before 18 October to save €100 and become a part of this awaited event! For more information, registration and agenda: http://www.ceeautomotive.com/.

Register now for the 6th Annual CEE Automotive Forum and take advantage from the discount for ACB members

ACB News

What are the key trends of sustainable innovative automotive industry? What does manufacturing efficiency mean for the market these days? Where do R&D Centres search for bright minds? What value do disruptive technologies bring into automotive manufacturing? Where does the industry want to be in 5 years and how to achieve it? These and many more questions will find answers at the 6th Annual CEE Automotive Forum (Budapest, 20-21 November) – the original well-known event of Adam Smith Conferences that is now moving to Budapest to gather all 16 countries for the new programme, site visits and the CEE Automotive Awards Ceremony! Some of the confirmed speakers: FCA Serbia – Miodrag Ognjanovic – Purchasing Director BMW – Peter Matyus – International Purchasing, Eastern Europe Skoda Auto – Pavel Vesely – Purchasing Director VW Group – Nikola Rejmon – Head of VW office, Hungary Aston Martin – Oskar Dondelewski – Lead Research Engineer Robert Bosch – Hanno Miorini – Vice President Original Equipment Sales (ER/SO) Continental Automotive Serbia – Sasha Cioringa – General Manager Brose – Michal Stefek – Purchasing Director, Eastern Europe Dana Hungary – Charles Wassen – General Manager, Country Operations Lead Hanon Systems Hungary Kft. – Balazs Pinczes – HR Director Register now with a 15% discount for Automotive Cluster Bulgaria members with code: AS1181MACB. Registration is already available here: http://www.adamsmithconferences.com/AS1181MACBr

Details

A brief plan for the development of the Automotive industry in Bulgaria

ACB News

Decisions of a meeting of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Boyko Borisov and Automotive Cluster Bulgaria Participants from the Bulgarian Government: Boyko Borisov (Prime Minister), Yordanka Fandakova (Mayor of Sofia), Tomislav Donchev (Deputy Prime Minister), Vladislav Goranov (Minister of Finance), Emil Karanikolov (Minister of Economy) Participants from ACB: arch. Lyubomir Stanislavov, Ivan Mihaylov (Visteon), Milen Raykov (EY), Plamen Mitev (Vienna Real Estate), Rosen Plevneliev (President of the Republic of Bulgaria 2012-2017), Stefan Ivanov (FESTO) and Tommy Ver Elst (Sensata)   17 July 2019, Sofia – Council of Ministers Partnership between Automotive Cluster Bulgaria and the Government of Bulgaria: The Automotive Cluster Bulgaria was established in 2012 with the main long-term goal of attracting strategic OEMs in Bulgaria and accelerating development of the automotive industry in Bulgaria, or in other words creating modern factories for automobile production in the country. The interest of world-known companies such as Volkswagen, Hyundai, PSA (Peugeot), BMW, FAW, Daimler and others is largely provoked by the activity of Automotive Cluster Bulgaria in Bulgaria and abroad. Successfully attracting the Bosch Automotive R & D Center in Sofia (from Belgrade) was a keystone moment in 2018. Automotive Cluster Bulgaria would be a key and institutionalized partner of the Bulgarian Government to attract investors in the automotive industry with the aim of creating 3-4 automotive plants in Bulgaria, centered in different cities such as Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas, Blagoevgrad, Rousse, Vidin and others. As a result of this strategy, we expect the number of component manufacturers in Bulgaria to grow to over 500 companies (currently 250) with an annual turnover of more than 25 billion euros (currently 5.5 billion euros). The theme of building a large car factory is one of the few strategic goals that unite the whole of society, regardless of political affiliation, gender or religion. In this sense, the theme is in fact an informally formulated national priority; Improving the communication between Automotive Cluster Bulgaria and the Government of Bulgaria: In almost all other countries, automotive clusters are either government structures or clearly government-backed organizations with a mandate to hold talks and state policy in their respective spheres. Institutionalization of ACB: Automotive Cluster Bulgaria as an associate or full partner in the National Tripartite Cooperation Council. ACB will protect the interests of the automotive industry (which has the potential to reach a minimum 25% share of the Bulgarian economy over the next 5 years). This will allow ACB to address larger projects, accelerating the development of the automotive industry in Bulgaria in the field of mobility of the future (electric, autonomous and related vehicles); A Strategy for the Development of the Automotive Industry in Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Government and Automotive Cluster Bulgaria to prepare a proposal for a strategy for accelerated development of the automotive industry in Bulgaria. Specific projects related to the mobility of the future can also be identified, such as: 4.1.         Autonomous Driving: Creating a test track for autonomous vehicles. 4.2.         5G Lab: Joint creation and management of the first experimental 5G Laboratory on the territory of Sofia Tech Park to work in synergy with the planned data center with a supercomputer back there. Technology is vital to all companies that develop autonomous driving technologies that require huge amounts of data to be exchanged. 4.3.         More added value from the Bulgarian automotive industry: Establishing incubation programs that stimulate more Bulgarian companies to enter the system of automotive suppliers, the first successful examples are already in place. 4.4.         Ad-hoc support for large Tier 1 vendors. 4.5.         The Square – Automotive R&D Center в Sofia Tech Park. Creation of a center of national importance for software development in the world of connectivity and autonomous management. 4.6.         Incentives for the production, distribution and use of electric vehicles. Legislative initiatives: Together with the Bulgarian government, Automotive Cluster Bulgaria would initiate changes to the following laws: 5.1.         R&D initiative: introducing additional tax incentives for development companies

Details

Are you passionate about robotics? Go ahead!

ACB News

Are you passionate about robotics? Do you have a robotics project in mind? Are you an expert in the sector interested in spreading your knowledge all around the world? If any of these questions describe you, we have an opportunity for you! Sofia Tech Park is working on the DIH project with some of the most renowned experts in robotics to create online courses and develop a model that represents the needs of European mid-caps and SMEs in their implementation of robotic technologies. In order to achieve this, we need your answers. The questionaire takes around 20 mins, and the final day to do it is June 20, 2019. Fill out this questionnaire and get 10 FREE ROBOTICS COURSES, FULL REPORT, CONNECTIONS in up to 170 Digital Innovation Hubs. The rise of robotics is changing the world. Take part in the transformation, we will support you with 10 top quality courses. Fill out the questionaire here!

Details

“Go Global!” will be held on June 18 in Sofia!

ACB News

“Go Global!” is the forum for Bulgarian companies looking to grow on the international market. The event is for you if you are already exporting and you are willing to take your business to the next level, or if you are just starting to think about trading abroad. Building on its experience in supporting Bulgarian companies to step on the UK market, the British-Bulgarian Business Association is now GOING GLOBAL!, as the new name of the game is multilateral, cross-cultural and “the sky is the limit”. The goal of the event is to provide practical advice for local companies from all industries and sizes on how to create and optimize commercial opportunities abroad. The forum will feature some of the most successful examples of Bulgarian companies who will talk about the challenges they have faced, the risks they have taken and the doors they have opened to join the giants on the global scene. Expert speakers, international consultants, and business leaders will share their knowhow and expertise. Forward-thinking executives will provide guidance to match great ideas with the trustworthy advisors for setting up or scaling up your export portfolio. Interactive workshops will help you decide how to choose the right markets, how to communicate effectively, how to choose the best distribution channel and to how to access financing. Programme:  8:30 – 9:00 -     Registration and welcome coffee 9:00 – 9:30 -     Welcome notes                           Emil Karanikolov, Bulgarian Minister of Economy TBC                           Anne-Marie Martin, Director Global Business Network, British Chambers of Commerce                           Omourtag Petkov, Chairman British Bulgarian Business Association                           Boyko Takov, Executive Director of Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency 9:30 – 10:10 -   Keynote speech                          Becoming an entrepreneurial leader: Creating the foundations for pursuing global opportunities                          Prof. Dimo Dimov, Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Bath School of Management 10:10 – 10:25 -  Keynote speech                          Sectors with biggest potential for export to the UK                          Tanya Koicheva, Head of Economic and Commercial Department,   Embassy of Bulgaria in the UK 10:30 – 11:10 – Panel discussion                           Featuring successful Bulgarian exporters from the service sector                           Invited companies: Discordia, Credissimo, ICB, Athlon, AFEX 11:10 – 11:30 – Coffee Break 11:30 – 12:10 – Panel discussion                           Featuring successful Bulgarian exporters from the manufacturing sector                           Invited companies: Tesy, Amrita, Escreo, Ligna Group, BCC 12:10 – 13:30 Breakout workshops How to choose the right markets and the right distribution channels led by PwC; How to communicate effectively on the global market led by Newtrend Agency  The event will be held in Bulgarian with translation in English. Register for the event here! Special price for ACB Members with promo code “Chamber2019”.

Details

ACB is proud to release information about ongoing and growing relationship with “STEAM”

ACB News

Automotive Cluster Bulgaria  is proud to release information about our ongoing and growing relationship with  “STEAM”. Many will know of the outstanding work undertaken by this dedicated team based in Sofia but with International reach and respect. We have been discussing a number of things  including the extremely important subject of industry worker “Competency Development Programs”. Something Steampowered.team has included in out training to educators and students from day one. This program of understanding, setting and development of competencies has an impact across all educational programs and business development opportunities no matter the industry and will help in setting the standards not only here in Bulgaria but in the Balkan peninsula.

Details

WITTE Automotive Bulgaria unveiled the extension of its factory in Ruse

ACB News

The event was honored by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria   On May 11, 2019, the official opening ceremony for the expansion of the WITTE Automotive Bulgaria plant was held. The event was attended by Mayor of Ruse Municipality Mr. Plamen Stoilov, Deputy Mayor of Economy, Investments and Property Mrs. Daniela Shilkova, Deputy Mayor of Territory Development eng. Dimitar Nakov, Deputy Mayor of Public Utilities Mrs. Natalia Krasteva, the Regional Governor of Ruse District Mr. Valentin Kolev, the President of Rousse Municipal Council and Rector of „Angel Kanchev“ University prof. Hristo Beloev, Members of Parliament, arch. Lyubomir Stanislavov – CEO of Automotive Cluster Bulgaria, owners of WITTE Automotive GmbH, representatives of various institutions and companies, employees and guests. At the start of the official program, the iconic folk dance theater “Naiden Kirov” was performing. Welcoming speeches were delivered by the mayor of Ruse Municipality, the Regional Governor of Ruse District, the CEO of Automotive Club Bulgaria, Mr. Rainer Gölz – shareholder and Chief Executive Officer of WITTE Automotive GmbH, and Dr. Hristo Hristov – Manager of WITTE Automotive Bulgaria. “WITTE Automotive Bulgaria has become a benchmark for the WITTE Group plants” – commented Mr. Gölz and added „My great “Thank you” today goes to all the employees of WITTE Automotive Bulgaria – for their dedication and excellent work.“ „We have built WITTE Automotive Bulgaria not only as an excellent supplier in the automotive sector but also as a symbol of a social company in the city of Ruse, which helps the economic development and stability of the region. The excellent results for quality, efficiency and customer satisfaction place WITTE Automotive Bulgaria as one of the best plants for the German WITTE Group“ commented Dr. Hristov. At the event, even after cutting the tape and despite its busy schedule, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. Boyko Borisov also attended. He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Tomislav Donchev and Minister of Finance Mr. Vladislav Goranov. „This is a modern and huge factory. That is how I understand the industrialization of the country. A big bow to our workers, because investments are made where stability and intelligent, disciplined people can be found“ said the Prime minister. Mr. Borisov inspected both the newly built and the already existing building. With the opening of the new production, WITTE AUTOMOTIVE Bulgaria is undoubtedly established as one of the largest and most perspective employers in Ruse. The main focus of the event was the celebration of the 10th anniversary of WITTE Automotive Bulgaria, as well as the 120th anniversary of the establishment of WITTE Automotive GmbH.

Details

ScaleFocus Joins Automotive Cluster Bulgaria

ACB News

Automotive Cluster Bulgaria has the pleasure to announce its new member – ScaleFocus. This step came as a result of ScaleFocus’ eagerness to enter into the automotive market even more. ACB is looking forward to bringing IT and Automotive industries to the next level with this new alliance. “I have been working in the automotive industry for a while. Establishing a partnership between ScaleFocus and Automotive Cluster Bulgaria is an inevitable step towards gathering forces and bringing automotive companies to the next level via top notch technology.” said Vladimir Kamenov, Delivery Manager, ScaleFocus. “Bringing ScaleFocus as a member of our cluster is a pleasure. Their strive for growth and constant development is an inspiration. I am sure we will achieve great synergies with this new partnership.” said Ivan Mihaylov, Chairman of Automotive Cluster Bulgaria. ScaleFocus is a member of many honorable organizations such as the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Bulgarian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce. ScaleFocus recently joined the Holland Fintech cluster. It has well-developed partnerships with some of the leading tech vendors in the world – Alibaba Cloud, IBM, TIBCO, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, and VMware.  

Details