A former shoe factory in northern Slovakia where more than 600 people lost their jobs last year is producing again, this time for the car industry.
South Korean automotive supplier Hyundai Wia started production at the former Ecco plant in Martin on September 30. The company is moving its Slovak operation there from Dolny Hricov, near Zilina.
It currently employs 115 people and wants to increase that number to around 140 until the end of this year. Until 2035, it plans to have around 600 employees in Martin.
Danish shoemaker Ecco ended production in Martin in 2025, leaving 643 people without jobs.
Some now work for Hyundai Wia. Former Ecco workers make up around 40% of the Korean company’s current workforce, Labour Minister Erik Tomas (Hlas) said.
Only 46 of the 643 people who lost their jobs remain registered with labour offices. Most have found new jobs, while some have retired or left work to care for people with disabilities, Tomas has said.
Unemployment in the Martin district is just above 3%, compared with around 4% across Slovakia.
Hyundai Wia has already moved two production lines from Dolny Hricov, where it has operated since 2023. Another two should arrive within the next two months.
Around 70 employees from Dolny Hricov are also moving with the operation.
The company makes parts for electric vehicles, including drive shafts and constant-velocity joints, which help transfer power to the wheels.
It also makes equipment that regulates the temperature of EV batteries. Hyundai Wia now plans to add complete climate-control units for Hyundai and Kia vehicles to its production in Slovakia.
Hyundai Wia plans to invest EUR 26.77 million in manufacturing until 2029 and another EUR 4.6 million in a technology centre.
The government has approved EUR 8.9 million in investment aid through corporate income-tax relief.
The technology centre will employ specialists in product development, design and testing.
Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Sakova) said average monthly salaries at the centre should exceed EUR 5,000. In manufacturing, the average is expected to be around EUR 2,800.
Hyundai Wia plans to add 255 jobs over the next three years and another 200 until 2035, when it expects to employ around 600 people in Martin. (The Slovak Spectator)