The new LSEZ AS "Norplast Piemare" plant has started manufacturing

LSEZ AS Norplast Piemare – a company, owned by Norwegian Entec Group AS - started its business in Liepaja a couple of years ago as a stevedoring company to export large-sized fiberglass structures produced in Saldus – a town which is situated 100 km from Liepaja. Manufacturing in Saldus was carried out by Brimer company, which is also owned by the Entec Group AS - known to own and operate businesses dedicated to efficient, technologically advanced and sustainable solutions - always with a focus on water.

However, it was decided to develop and go further not by providing just stevedoring services to the Brimer company, but by building its own production plan right in the territory of the Port of Liepaja. Thus, at the end of last year, a newly built LSEZ AS "Norplast Piemare" plant began manufacturing and assembly of large-sized composite products for the oil extraction industry and floating closed fish cage systems.  It is the first production plant ever built in the Port of Liepaja, in the immediate vicinity of the berth, so that the manufactured products can be quickly and efficiently loaded onto ships and exported by sea. 

The new production plant provides ~ 40 new jobs with competitive salaries, its area is 1935 m² and a total of ~ 2.5 million euros have been invested in this project.

“Construction of the new production facility is a significant step in further development of the “Brimer” company in Saldus - also owned by the Entec Group AS - as it will allow us to double our production capacity in Latvia to manufacture very large-sized composite products for oil extraction industry, the production of which was previously not possible in this country. Location of the production facility in the immediate vicinity of the port berth provides significant logistic advantages and facilitates shipment of cargo to customers,” emphasized Gatis Ginters, Board Member of LSEZ AS “Norplast Piemare”.

The new production facility is currently manufacturing covers to protect underwater cables for oil and gas extraction and transportation. Preparations are currently underway to start manufacturing large fish farming pools. Gatis Ginters added that such pools will have a diameter of 40 meters and a height of 20 meters. Currently, the main customer is Saudi Arabia – the manufactured parts of the pool will be delivered to Saudi Arabia and assembled by LSEZ AS “Norplast Piemare” team. Interestingly, as it the weather is very hot in Saudi Arabia during the day, assembly of the huge pool will only take place at night, when the temperature is below 20 degrees.

Earlier the Entec Group AS CEO Håvard Haanes, pointed out: "For Entec Group AS, this production facility is an important step in our long-term strategic development. Why Liepaja? First and foremost – it is a charming city, supporting entrepreneurs and investors and there was an opportunity to build a manufacturing facility right in the port. Secondly, the factor of the Liepaja Special Economic Zone, which provides its support and helps to develop faster and easier. Thirdly, Liepaja can provide qualified employees whether financiers, project managers or just operatives. We highly appreciate the advantages of the infrastructure and business environment provided by the Liepaja SEZ Authority."

The Liepaja SEZ CEO Uldis Hmieļevskis added that the project combines the energy sector, port and industry at a new level, turning Liepaja into a hub of sustainable industry on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea and complements the existing businesses with a new, safe and environmentally friendly industry.

LSEZ AS “Norplast Piemare” currently provides jobs to approximately forty local residents of Liepaja. If the volume of orders increases, it is planned to switch to work in two shifts and hire 20-30 employees more. The company also plans to build new production buildings with an area of ​​2-3 thousand square meters.