One of Latvia's leading timber industry companies, Stiga RM, has begun work on setting up a metalworking plant in Milzkalne, Smārde Parish, in order to relocate its existing production facility to more spacious and modern premises by next spring. The company plans to invest 850,000 euros in expanding its operations and refurbishing the new production site, allocating only its own corporate funds to carry out the project.
The new metalworking plant will use the 5,500 m² spacious premises in Milzkalne, Smārde Parish, at “Šlokenbeka 5”, where the workshops of the now-liquidated road construction company Strabag were previously located. Renovations have already begun there, with the aim of launching operations in the refurbished premises, which are being adapted for both staff and production needs, by the spring of 2024.
“Stiga RM” Chairman of the Board Andris Ramoliņš makes no secret of his satisfaction regarding the opportunity to boost the region’s industrial development. “We have been operating in the current plant premises at the Smārde Industrial Park since 2019, doubling the existing production area last year, but even that is now far too small, given current workloads and our future plans. Thinking about staff comfort and increasing our operational capacity, we decided to relocate, which means both increasing production capacity and developing new products – production equipment. As someone from Smārde, it is a great pleasure to bring a fresh impetus to the development of my home region,” emphasises A. Ramoliņš.
The site of the upcoming factory is spacious and easily adaptable to all of the company’s needs for the coming years, not only increasing the production capacity of the metalworking plant but also developing the local labour market. Thanks to the planned growth, the company will significantly expand its staff, advertising vacancies for positions such as metalworking equipment operators and high-calibre welders. Meanwhile, the current factory premises near Tukums will also be fully utilised, being converted into a maintenance depot for the company’s forestry machinery.
It has been previously reported that Stiga RM also acquired an office building in Milzkalne with a total area of 1,816 square metres. Over the coming months, it is planned to be renovated to create 12 well-appointed apartments for Stiga RM employees and their families, providing an organised and well-thought-out infrastructure for both living and working, and the opportunity to develop a career within the company and a region with significant growth potential.