• VAT Romania opens new 21,000 m² site in VGP Park Arad combining high-precision manufacturing, modern offices, and employee-focused amenities.
  • Built to BREEAM outstanding targets, the project reflects VAT’s long-term growth plans in Romania.

Arad, June 4, 2025 – VAT Romania officially inaugurated its new production facility, now established as the Group’s third main manufacturing hub globally – alongside its headquarters in Switzerland and its site in Malaysia. The project marks a major milestone in VAT Group’s global expansion strategy and reaffirms the company’s long-term commitment to Romania, its highly skilled workforce, and the country’s growing role in the Group’s international operations. The facility has been developed and will be managed by VGP, a pan-European owner, manager, and developer of high-quality logistics and industrial real estate.

As the undisputed market leader and manufacturer of high-end vacuum valves, services and solutions, VAT is supporting a wide range of industries including semiconductors, displays, solar energy, vacuum coating, and advanced research. The new 21,000 m² site integrates production areas, modern office space, social facilities, a canteen, and a fully equipped gym – all built to the highest construction and sustainability standards. The campus also features generous parking and landscaped green areas, creating a balanced environment focused on both performance and employee well-being.

Located in VGP Park Arad, the new factory benefits from a highly strategic position near the A1 motorway and key European transport routes, enabling efficient logistics, distribution, and access to regional and international markets. The park offers modern infrastructure, green energy solutions, and a development philosophy aligned with environmental responsibility. Reflecting VAT Group’s and VGP’s strong sustainability commitments, the facility has been built to meet the BREEAM outstanding certification level, one of the most rigorous international standards for sustainable building performance.

Currently, around 50 out of the 380 highly qualified employees at VAT Romania are working at the new site, with plans the relocate all employees by the end of 2025. In addition to core manufacturing, the facility will host and expand functions in engineering, IT, and supply chain, supporting VAT Group’s broader operational needs. The investment in the growth of VAT Romania will create numerous job opportunities in areas requiring advanced technical expertise, such as mechanical engineering, automation, CNC turning and milling, as well as support functions. This expansion will also help build up capabilities beyond pure manufacturing, positioning the site as a lead factory within the Group. As part of a phased growth strategy, VAT aims to double the number of direct production employees in Romania over the next three years.

Urs Leinhäuser, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of VAT Group, Urs Gantner, CEO of VAT Group, Thomas Berden, COO of VAT Group, and Alin Cretu, General Manager of VAT Romania, welcomed attendees to the inauguration event.

“This factory is a cornerstone of our global manufacturing network,” said Urs Gantner. “It reflects our trust in Romania’s business environment and talent pool, and it positions us strongly for future development.”

Thomas Berden added: “With this new facility, we expect a 50% increase in high-precision component machining capacity, and a two- to threefold boost in other operations. It’s a crucial step in strengthening our supply chain and global delivery performance.”

“We are proud to deliver this project together with our trusted partners VGP and ICCO,” said Alin Cretu. “This factory is a long-term investment in innovation, people, and sustainability, reinforcing Romania’s role in VAT Group’s global operations.”

The inauguration event was attended by H.E. Massimo Baggi, the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation in Romania, Adriana Cioca, President of the Chamber of Commerce Switzerland – Romania (CCE-R), Iustin Cionca, Head of Arad County Council, and Calin Bibart, Mayor of Arad. On behalf of the development partner, Tomas Van Geet, Global Commercial Director VGP, and Dana Bordei, Commercial Country Manager of VGP Romania, were present at the event.

Participants took part in a comprehensive tour of the facility, including both the high-tech production areas and the people-centric spaces designed to promote well-being and sustainable operations.

For further information please contact:

VAT Group AG: Anja Brun, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications
T +41 81 553 71 84; Email: communications@vatgroup.com

VAT Romania: Marius Han, HR Manager
T +40 754 208 363

VGP Romania: Dana Bordei, Commercial Country Manager
Email: info.romania@vgpparks.eu

About VAT

We change the world with vacuum solutions – that is our purpose as the world’s leading supplier of high-end vacuum valves. The Group reports in two segments: Valves and Global Service. The Valves segment is a global developer, manufacturer and supplier of vacuum valves for the semiconductor, displays, photovoltaics and vacuum coating industries as well as for the industrial and research sector. Global Service provides local expert support to customers and offers genuine spare parts, repairs and upgrades. VAT reported net sales of CHF 942 million in 2024 and employs some 3,200 people worldwide, with representatives in 29 countries and manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia, and Romania.

About VGP

VGP is a pan-European owner, manager and developer of high-quality logistics and semi-industrial properties as well as a provider of renewable energy solutions. VGP has a fully integrated business 1/9 model with extensive expertise and many years of experience along the entire value chain. VGP was founded in 1998 as a family-owned Belgian property developer in the Czech Republic and today operates with around 380 full-time employees in 18 European countries directly and through several 50:50 joint ventures. In December 2024, the gross asset value of VGP, including the 100% joint ventures, amounted to € 7.8 billion and the company had a net asset value (EPRA NTA) of € 2.4 billion. VGP is listed on Euronext Brussels (ISIN: BE0003878957).

For more information, please visit: VGP.