NKT, a leading global power cable manufacturer, has upped the headcount estimate for its Service Centre in Kaunas to 70 specialists this year. The Service Centre that opened its doors in February has already hired over 30 employees, which was the initial target for 2018.
According to the company, it was pleasantly surprised by both the quantity and quality of the local specialists that take over processes with ease. NKT Lithuania employees already actively support harmonization and optimization of various business processes, playing a critical part in global system rollouts, optimization and automation projects. This positive experience leads to an increase in the scope of operations that are being transferred to Kaunas.
“The decision of NKT to expand after such a short period shows complete trust in the professionalism and skills of the local talents. The top management has already witnessed what results young people driven by change and opportunities can generate” says Ilona Antonovičiūtė, Head of the NKT Service Centre in Kaunas.
Most of the current functions are finance-related. However, the company is already exploring opportunities to expand their IT Digitalization hub in Kaunas, as well as to introduce other functions. 2019 will see a continuation of growth for NKT Lithuania with the transfer of more complex processes.
“Last decade saw many efforts to bring more international companies to Lithuania, but as the experience of Ireland, Singapore and other countries that are exceptionally successful in attracting FDI projects – helping the companies that have already invested in a country to expand can create a lot of new jobs. There is plenty of space for new companies and industries in Lithuania, but one must not underestimate the potential that the investors that are already here have. It is noteworthy that NKT joins a substantial number of companies that have already achieved their growth target for this year and plan to expand headcount severalfold. Thus, expansion projects of foreign companies are as important as new investments to the Lithuanian economy and labour market,“ states Virginijus Sinkevičius, Lithuania‘s Minister of Economy.
The company is actively searching for junior and senior specialists, as well as managers. A larger team will help NKT Lithuania to build upon the success of the first six months and become a bona fide Centre of Excellence.
NKT Lithuania has been witnessing a trend that more and more professionals are looking for job opportunities in Kaunas and they are willing to relocate back to their home city. Others are commuting daily from Vilnius and other cities, as Kaunas provides them with compelling and fulfilling career possibilities.
In Kaunas, NKT Lithuania is cooperating with universities, vocational schools and other learning centers. The company is thus providing opportunities for students and junior specialists, and giving schools the needed feedback regarding market needs and focus areas that would be beneficial for future specialists.
“Kaunas is steadily becoming an attractive destination for global business services centres, with companies finding their needs of skilled IT and finance professionals met with ease. This is made possible first and foremost by the high rate of active collaboration between businesses and universities. NKT is a prime example of that, having established strong ties with local educational institutions in just a couple of months,” Mantas Katinas, Managing Director of Invest Lithuania, says.
NKT Lithuania is situated in Kauno Dokas, a new business centre on the bank of river Neris, who recently had their official opening.
NKT has pioneered the cable industry for more than 125 years. It is a leading power cable provider connecting the world with an extensive portfolio of cables within such areas as construction, energy distribution. It also focuses on the growing offshore wind industry and the development of global power grids. The company employs more than 3,400 employees, and in 2017 reported revenue of over €1 billion.
