Lenovo to build first European plant

Lenovo hopes to produce two million PCs a year at a new plant in Poland

Chinese PC giant Lenovo has announced plans to build its first manufacturing plant in Europe.

The 30,000 square metre facility will be sited in the Legnica Special Economic Zone in Poland.

Lenovo said that the facility should be operational by the end of 2008, and will produce two million PCs a year for countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

"Selecting Poland as the location for a European manufacturing facility is a significant step in demonstrating our increasing presence in Europe and our strategy to grow in this market," said Milko van Duijl, president of Lenovo EMEA.

"The state-of-the-art facility in Europe will focus on improving the customer experience, and Lenovo is leveraging its 'world sourcing strategy' to recruit the best local talent and international management where they are."

The new plant will employ around 1,000 local workers and is part of a rapid expansion by the Chinese computer manufacturer, which bought IBM's PC business in 2004.

This year the company has opened new offices and plants in Shanghai, China, India and Mexico.

"Our new plant in Poland is an example of Lenovo's world sourcing strategy in action," said Gerry Smith, senior vice president for global supply chain at Lenovo.

"In a world with just one time zone, i.e. 'now', Lenovo must source materials, assemble managerial and technical talent, and concentrate logistics, infrastructure and production wherever they are best available."