Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI), a global leader in automotive interiors, has officially opened a new plant in Kragujevac (Serbia) and is looking to recruit up to 800 people over the next few years.

Tony Elenbaas, general manager (Europe and South Africa) at YFAI (www.yfai.com) said: “With this new plant in Serbia, we are expanding our manufacturing capacity in Eastern Europe’s growth markets and responding to our customers’ increasing presence in the region.”

The company is manufacturing automotive interior components in a production area of about 18,500m² and has already created some 180 new jobs.

The good infrastructure and the availability of skilled workers in the Kragujevac region were key to selecting this location. Other factors included its proximity to YFAI plants in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

YFAI has its headquarters in Shanghai, some 110 manufacturing plants and technical centres in 20 countries and more than 32,000 employees globally.

It is a joint venture between Yanfeng (one of the largest automotive suppliers in China) and Adient (a global leader in automotive seating).