Rombat inaugurated a new production line for Heavy Duty batteries for heavy vehicles, a 3 million euro investment that ensures entry into new segments and markets. The event marked 45 years of continuous activity of the company.
"Heavy Duty is a segment that we want to conquer and be a leader in this area as well, just as we are in the automotive sector. We invested 3 million euros in this line, which adds to the over 100 million euros that Rombat has invested in the last 17 years in retooling and production lines. We are happy that we manage to remain relevant in an industry with many challenges, and we want to continue to grow in different segments and in different markets, and without technology and investments in high-performance lines that bring sustainable industry to Romania, we won't be able to do these things. The world is quite skeptical about the dynamics of the automotive industry in Europe, but we have been in this industry for 45 years, we have gone through difficult periods which we have successfully navigated, and I am convinced that the history of Rombat Bistrița will be beautiful in the next period as well," said Alin Ioaneș, CEO of Rombat.
Before officially opening the new production line, the CEO of Rombat also reviewed the history of the 45 years.
"During all this time, we couldn't do all these things without the people who were and are behind Rombat. We couldn't do this if we didn't have some important things in our DNA, such as the fantastic adaptability that we had to have during all these years, resilience, and performance. I want to thank those who 45 years ago had a dream that in Bistrița we could have a company that produces batteries, and in all these 45 years we have managed to transform this dream into a pillar of the industry we are part of and not only. We are an official supplier to Dacia Renault, in a partnership of over 25 years, supplier to Ford Romania, we are the only 360-degree integrated producer in Romania, we recycle over 25,000 tons of used batteries every year, we reintegrate 98% of these used components into our production process.
I believe we are the only battery manufacturer in Europe that uses 100% green energy. We invested in two photovoltaic parks last year, we are a benchmark in the circular economy model in Romania and beyond, we are a model of sustainability in an industry where it's not easy to talk about sustainability. We are a pillar for the community we are part of, we are a partner for local projects, and we want to give this community part of what we achieve. We are also a pillar in terms of human resources because over 5,000 families are connected in one way or another with the Rombat business," said Alin Ioaneș, CEO of Rombat.
"Rombat is a flagship company of Romania, present in 40 countries on four continents, with 60% export, with over 100 million euros invested in recent years, with 98% recycling in Copșa Mică, and with investments in green energy. Rombat is also a flagship company in terms of involvement in community life. I am honored that, from the beginning of the Gloria project, Rombat has been with us, and today about 2,000 athletes are on the sports fields, and on their equipment, you can also find the Rombat brand," said the President of the Bistrița-Năsăud County Council, Radu Moldovan, who presented an anniversary diploma.
Representatives of the Metair Investments Limited group, Rombat's business partners, county and local officials, and other guests attended the festive event.
Founded as Acumulatorul Bistrița, the company changed its name in 1991, becoming Rombat. The company was state-owned until 1996 when, following privatization, it was purchased by employees. In 2012, Rombat was acquired by Metair International Holdings Cooperatief, part of the Metair Investment Limited group. The company has a strategic partnership with Dacia Renault, and in 2017 it became a supplier for Ford Craiova. In 2021, Rombat obtained the Ford Q1 certification, which attests to the maximum standard of excellence as an OEM supplier. The company was led for over 26 years, starting in 1995, by Ioan Repede. Under his leadership, Rombat became the national leader in car battery production and an important exporter to European markets. In February 2021, Ioan Repede retired, ending a career of over 41 years with the company. On this occasion, he was awarded a diploma of excellence from the Bistrița City Hall, in recognition of his contribution to local and national economic development. After his retirement, the position of general manager of Rombat was taken over by Alin Romulus Ioaneș, a manager with experience in business and management.
