IKEA Industry invests in Kazlų Rūda furniture production

IKEA Industry has decided to invest in furniture production in Kazlų Rūda and advanced technology will offer an opportunity to double the production capacity. Construction is scheduled to start this autumn.

“IKEA Industry sees great potential in Kazlų Rūda. When it comes to operational experience, competencies of co-workers, opportunities in attracting new co-workers and availability of raw materials, Lithuania is truly competitive,” says Inga Urbonavičiūtė, Managing Director of IKEA Industry Lietuva.

Productivity boosted in new-generation factory

The construction of the factory is scheduled to begin this autumn and planned to be completed in the summer of 2019.

“The investments will not only increase the volume of furniture production, but also improve it. The new equipment will be more efficient and help us to manufacture faster and allow more efficient use of raw materials, which will reduce costs and waste generation. Additionally, the level of automation will be much higher, and an advanced automatic quality control system will increase the quality for our customers”, says Karolis Jonaitis, Manager of IKEA Industry Lietuva furniture factory.

Better workplace

Some of the most important changes are related to the working conditions in the factory. Improvement areas cover ergonomics of workplaces and changing work schedules from 7 to 5 business days a week.

“Offering a safe and modern workplace is very important to us. We want to be a great place to work and preferred employer and the new-generation factory will help us in this ambition,“ says Karolis Jonaitis.

“IKEA Industry’s new-generation factory is an example of how new technology and automated systems, with only a few handful additional co-workers, can double the production capacities, which is changing the attitude to production in Lithuania”, says Mantas Katinas, Managing Director of the foreign investment promotion agency Invest Lithuania.

Sustainable furniture production

IKEA Industry has high ambitions when it comes to being a responsible company and to operate business with care for the environment. IKEA Industry Lithuania has strict control and measures to comply with environmental regulations and to ensure that the new factory will operate in harmony with the environment and the local community.