Saint-Gobain posted €183 mln worth of business

The business of French construction material producer Saint-Gobain in Romania exceeded €183 million in 2007, more than twice as much as in 2006, when it registered €80 mln in turnover.

The company has six production units in Romania.

“In addition to overall market growth, the advance was triggered by the starting of production at full capacity and the opening of new technological lines in several of the group’s factories,” the company said.

The ratio of exports in turnover amounted to €63 mln.

Saint-Gobain invested some €150 mln in Romania in the past two years, mainly in three factories, located in the cities of Calarasi, Pitesti and Branesti. The glass factory in Calarasi started production in January 2007, following an investment of €100 million. The company plans further investments worth €50-70 mln. One of the unit’s potential major clients is car manufacturer Renault.

The company employs some 1,200 people in Romania. Besides the six production units for construction materials, the group owns a further three companies.

Worldwide, the group posted €43.4 billion in turnover.