Bosch plans to close its plant in Bernolakovo, near Bratislava, and move its alternator remanufacturing operation to Serbia.
The plant, which employs 148 people, will gradually end production until the end of March 2027 and close afterwards, Pavel Roman, head of corporate communications for Bosch in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, has said.
Bosch has already informed employees and their representatives. Roman said the company would try to make the closure “as socially responsible as possible” for those affected.
The Bernolakovo plant, a part of Bosch’s Mobility Aftermarket division, remanufactures alternators for the global car industry. The work will move to Bosch’s existing plant in Pecinci, Serbia.
Roman pointed to growing competition, pressure on prices and a subdued global car market.
“Alternator remanufacturing is labour-intensive work in which cost efficiency and competitiveness are decisive factors for success,” he said.
Bosch said moving the work to Pecinci would allow it to use existing infrastructure there and concentrate future investment at a larger plant.
Bosch has been present in Slovakia since 1993, when it opened its first branch in Bratislava. Besides Bernolakovo, the German group has its Slovak headquarters in Bratislava and a manufacturing plant in Michalovce, eastern Slovakia. (The Slovak Spectator)