Polyurethane foam producer Spumotim Timisoara expects to derive a 22 million-euro turnover this year, an increase of 10 percent on 2006, whilst first half results support these estimates.

"We ended 2006 with a 20 million-euro turnover and are sure that we will derive 22 million euros in 2007, because until mid year, all the phases have unfolded as planned," stated Ioan Seiman, general manager of Spumotim.

Spumotim intends to invest approximately 3.5 million euros in a new production facility that will be completed by the end of 2008. Representatives of the company say that investment programmes carried out over the past three years amount to 5 million euros.

The lack of labour in the automotive industry in the West of the country and the migration abroad of a significant segment of the active population, in particular individuals aged between 30 and 45 years, are putting pressure on employees, Spumotim representatives believe.

"We're having trouble finding skilled labour and the training process is very complex. Foreign companies are "stealing" specialists, which temporarily offer something extra to them. In addition, more and more people are leaving Romania to work abroad," stated Ioan Seiman.

In 2007, the company witnessed a 10 percent personnel turnover.

"We began hiring and terminating the employment for 65 people this year, whilst maintaining a staff of 790. Even though we started deliveries to the Logan plant in Russia, we did not need to hire any extra staff," Seiman said.

Spumotim makes flexible polyurethane foams for furniture, footwear, clothing, camping, soundproofing, filters and self-adhesive gaskets.

Spumotim exports account for 18.5 percent of the company's turnover, with deliveries to other global Logan manufacturers being conducted through CKD Dacia Pitesti and other Romanian manufacturers.

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