German-U.S. auto parts firm makes zl. 30 mln investment

German company LucasVarity Breaking Systems, part of the American company TRW, is to invest $7 million (zl. 30 million) in the construction of a breaking-systems parts plant in Gliwice, in Katowice's Special Economic Zone (SSE). In mid May, Lucas signed an agreement to buy land from the Treasury Agricultural Ownership Agency (AWRSP) and wants to start construction in June. The new plant will cover 7,000 square meters and production is scheduled to begin in November, 2001. However, according to investment management company Gleeds Polska vice-president Slawomir Grabiowicz in the future Lucas might extend the plant to 30,000 square meters. The company will initially employ 186 workers, eventually rising to 350. The new plant is TRW's fourth investment in Poland, having already invested in Czestochowa, Czechowice-Dziedzice, and Warsaw. (Puls Biznesu, page 6) P.S.