Manufacturing
Manufacturing hub
Plovdiv has evolved into a dynamic high-tech manufacturing destination, attracting significant investments from both multinational and Bulgarian companies.
The local economy now thrives in advanced sectors such as electronics, optical equipment, medical technology, aircraft manufacturing, and precision machinery.
Today, over 200 innovative enterprises operate here, employing more than 75 000 professionals and driving the region’s reputation as a hub for cutting-edge industry and technological excellence.
Class A investment threshold:
For manufacturing - BGN 10 million;
For high-tech manufacturing – BGN 4 million.
Class A Investment Tresholds:
For manufacturing - BGN 10 million;
For high-tech manufacturing – BGN 4 million.
Industry sector data
1st
in the country by number of employees
37%
of the local GDP
Success stories
The well-developed business ecosystem has turned Plovdiv and the region into a natural magnet for companies in the manufacturing sector. In the last few years the region has attracted numerous investments worth over €700 000 000, with most of them amounting to over €20-30 million each.
- Intuitive Surgical – €40 million investment for a new factory in the region which will increase the production capacity of 3D endoscopes, used globally in the Da Vinci Robotic Surgery System, which until now have been manufactured in Germany;
- Milara International – over €20 million investment for electric vehicle manufacturing in February for a new facility that will help the company reach a production capacity of 10 000 units by mid-2024.
- ESCATEC – opened a facility for the production of high-tech electronics equipment;
- PENTAX Medical – €5 million for the expansion of their production capacity of disposable bronchoscopes;
- Amer Sports – establishment of a new factory for ski equipment. Amer Sports is one of the world’s leading companies in the sector covering about 30% of ski production worldwide.
- Schneider Electric – €60 million investment for the expansion of their Smart Factory;
- Leader 96 – €50 million for a new e-bike facility.
- BTL Industries – €10 million for a new medical equipment manufacturing facility – first Class A investment in the City of Plovdiv;
- Cupffee – innovative producer of biodegradable coffee cups;
- Sensata Technologies – €23 million investment for the opening of a new manufacturing facility;
- Latecoere – €2.5 million investment in a new factory for the construction of aircraft doors.
Specialized industrial parks
One of the reasons for Plovdiv’s success in the manufacturing sector is the presence of specialized industrial zones, united under the public-private partnership Trakia Economic Zone (TEZ). TEZ is one of the biggest industry centers in Southeast Europe, where more than 200 local and international companies operate.
Thanks to its strategic location and excellent connectivity, the region has aslo established itself as a leading transport and logistics center with some of the biggest European logistics companies operating here.
German food retail giant Kaufland chose Plovdiv for its largest logistics center in Southeast Europe and has invested in expansions numerous times.
