German motion‑control supplier Stabilus is moving ahead with a targeted upgrade of its Romanian production base. The company plans to install an electrostatic painting installation inside Module III of its Sânpetru factory (Brașov County), a project valued at about €2.5 million. The technical documentation was submitted to the Brașov County Environmental Protection Agency in late October 2026.
Investment details
The new line will occupy roughly 600 square metres inside the existing production hall and the design and installation works are expected to take about five months. Once complete the electrostatic painting facility will be dedicated to coating shock absorbers and is specified to use water‑based paints with low volatile organic compound (VOC) content. The line’s maximum production capacity is stated at 7 million units per year.
Stabilus Romania reported a turnover of RON 943 million (about €190 million) for the last year and a net profit of approximately RON 43.2 million; the unit had an average workforce of 1,294 employees. The Romanian subsidiary was founded in 2005 and the investment is presented by management as part of the plant’s development strategy to meet market demand.
What this means for the market
The upgrade is a classic supplier‑side capacity and quality investment: an in‑house electrostatic paint line reduces reliance on external coaters, shortens lead times and increases control over finish quality for both internal programmes and external OEM contracts. For CEE carmakers and Tier 1s sourcing from Stabilus, the extra annual capacity of up to 7 million shock absorbers (a mix of gas springs and dampers used across ICE and electrified platforms) strengthens regional supply resilience.
