Saturday, August 23, 2008

Dell Opens Second European Plant To Meet Growing Customer Demand


Dell CEO Michael Dell officially opened Dell’s newest and most advanced manufacturing facility today, joining employees, customers, members of the Polish national and local governments and co-operating companies to celebrate the event. The facility locates Dell production and personalization capabilities closer to increasing numbers of consumers and businesses in Central and Eastern Europe and will significantly improve delivery times.

Locating the facility in Poland puts Dell much closer to its customers, significantly speeds delivery times and improves service to this important region. The facility represents a major investment by Dell in this region and reflects its importance to the company’s business.

Consistent with its commitment around the world to support the local community and minimize its environmental impact, Dell’s Lodz facility has a number of community projects underway. These include enabling two Lodz schools from the Widzew district to receive Dell products worth U.S. $35,000 and more than 100 Dell employees planting trees in the Lublinek forest park. This was the first stage of Dell’s ‘Plant a Tree’ initiative, which saw 130,000 trees planted in Lodz and its surrounding area last year.

“We want to be a positive influence beyond our role as an employer in the city. We plan to extend these activities in partnership with our local community and the region as a whole,” said Sean Corkery, vice president of Dell EMEA Manufacturing, who is leading the Dell Lodz facility. About Dell’s Investment in Poland

Dell’s new 37,000 square-meter manufacturing facility represents a €200 million investment (approximately U.S. $292 million). Indirect investment made by suppliers of the American corporation will reach approximately €53 million. Currently, 1,200 employees work in the facility.

Complementing the successful Ireland-based manufacturing operation, the Lodz facility will initially produce the Latitude and Inspiron laptop computers, which are customized to meet the specific needs of Dell’s business and retail customers. The location of the new factory means that Central and Eastern European and Nordic customers can expect a reduction of at least two days over current delivery times.

Dell was awarded first prize by the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency and the Warsaw Voice daily newspaper for being the top new site or “Greenfield” investor employing the highest number of people. Additionally, Dell was granted the Major Investor of the Year Award by Forbes.

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