"Rauch" modernizes juice production in Koceljeva - investment worth 20m EUR

Austrian company "Rauch" has started equipping Koceljeva-based "Voćar". Austrian company bought this bankrupted company from Koceljeva last year. Business plan of the company is to have PET bottling unit built for bottles of 0.5 l and 1.5 l, with the capacity of 15,000 bottles per hour, as well as to open two units for packing bottles of 1 l and 0.2 l in cardboard boxes.

The capacity of the line would be 6,000 boxes per hour. Trucks loaded with equipment have already arrived in Koceljeva, so that production will start in September. Next phase in development is processing of fresh fruit for production of fruit concentrates and fruit mash.

"Rauch" has ambitions to become an important partner to Serbia's agricultural sector for it will be buying large quantities of fresh fruit for its production process. Total projected investments for this year amount to 12m EUR, while Austrian company intends to invest another 8m EUR in 2008.

Starting September, the factory will employ 80 workers and another 40 will be hired next year. "Rauch" earlier invested 8m RTS in development of water spring in Svileuva, which is very important segment of juice production. In that way, water supply in this municipality, one of the largest problems in that region, will also be improved.