Japanese car parts giant Sumitomo opens new €22 mln plant in Egypt

The facility, one of the world's largest for manufacturing electrical wiring harnesses for vehicles, is run by local subsidiary SE Wiring Systems Egypt. It will produce for export and create around 3,000 jobs. 

The factory occupies part of a 150,000-square-metre site, will create around 3,000 direct jobs, and is planned to be fully operational by 2027.

Sumitomo already runs 14 factories in Egypt—in Port Said, 6th of October City and 10th of Ramadan—with a combined workforce of 12,000.

All output is exported, generating €900 million in sales over the past five years, including €260 million in the last year.

The new plant includes production lines, a training centre, and a research and development facility. It is also equipped with a solar energy system.

At the launch, Madbouly said the site would strengthen Egypt’s global automotive supply chain position. He added that manufacturers, including Toyota, now source wiring components from Egypt.

The factory is also working with the Ministry of Education to train vocational students. It can accommodate up to 600 trainees a day.

During the factory’s opening ceremony, Japan’s ambassador to Egypt, Fumio Iwai, described the project as a model for private-sector cooperation and said Japan would continue to support Egypt’s industrial development.

Egypt's Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir and a host of officials representing Sumitomo’s global heads and directors were also in attendance.