British American Tobacco (BAT), one of the largest cigarette manufacturers in the world, plans to expand its plant in Ploiesti and turn it into the second-biggest cigarette factory in Europe, the group announced.

“The company’s management will announce one of the most important investments in the Romanian economy in the next years: the development of the Ploiesti factory, which will become the second-biggest in Europe, and a total stimulus for the Romanian economy of EUR 1 billion in the next five years,” according to a BAT announcement.

In 2012 the British group expanded the production hall of the Ploiesti plant by 20%. The investment amounted to EUR 40 million.

BAT Romania produces and distributes brands such as Kent, Dunhill, Vogue, Pall Mall, and Lucky Strike. It has a market share of 54% in Romania. Kent, the most important brand in the group’s portfolio, has a market share of 26.5%.

The group, which operates in the local market via three divisions, has some 1,700 employees.

editor@romania-insider.com