British multinational company "Johnson Matthey" opened Friday new autocatalyst manufacturing plants at the Bunardzik industrial development zone in Skopje. It invested 60 million euros in their construction.

This is the second Johnson Matthey manufacturing facility built in the Bunardzik industrial zone. The company opened its first plants in Macedonia in April 2010. It is estimated that Johnson Matthey so far in Macedonia has invested over 130 million euros.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski inaugurated the new facility where 200 people will be employed. He said that the first investment had justified the expectations of Johnson Matthey, which had encouraged the company to build a second factory in Macedonia.

"The support and cooperation demonstrated by our institutions and the favourable business climate simply enhanced the investor's plans. It is also gratifying that the company is satisfied with the skills and achievements of its employees in Macedonia," stated Gruevski.

Johnson Matthey, he added, is the number one exporter from Macedonia and its contribution to Macedonia's export will be boosted with the production from the new plant.

John Walker, the company's Executive Director of the Emission Control Technologies division, said Johnson Matthey so far invested 132 million euros including the funds for the new plants, thus showcasing their intention to invest in Macedonia in the long-run.

"10 million catalysts in just three years were manufactured in the factory, which is a record for any new Johnson Matthey plant. At the same time, production standards were met for a short period of time and they are the best in their class. This is an example of what can be achieved with a greenfield investment," Walker noted.

Johnson Matthey plc is one of the top 100 brands listed on the London Stock Exchange. It is one of the world's leading catalyst producers for automobile emission controls.