Kinze to open first production plant abroad

Kinze Manufacturing will open a production plant in Lithuania, its first production plant abroad.

The Williamsburg-based company will hire 10 employees to begin at the plant abroad and eventually increase that number to 250 employees at its Lithuanian-based operation over a five-year period. The plant will manufacture Kinze row crop planters.

Kinze will hire welders, mechanics, CNC operators and other specialists. Assembly in the new facility is scheduled to begin this fall.

The 100,000-square-foot plant then will progress to full production, including welding and fabrication. The plant eventually will expand to more than 300,000-square-feet.

"We chose Lithuania due to available building space that met our needs, availability of work force, as well as proximity to our dealers, customers and suppliers," Susanne Veatch, Kinze vice president and chief marketing officer, said in response to emailed questions. "The plant location in Lithuania also offers close access to a seaport and an international airport."

Veatch said there is a great demand for Kinze products in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia and Ukraine.

"We plan to continue expanding in other European countries once we are established in Lithuania," she added.

In addition, Kinze will offer internships in the manufacturing facility.

Kinze employs 850 at its headquarters in Williamsburg.