German-owned automotive industry supplier Eissmann Automotive Hungária is building a new HUF 1.5bn production hall at its base in Nyíregyháza, managing director Attila Böszörményi said on Friday.

Construction of the 12,000sqm hall started a year ago and is expected to be completed on November 14, Böszörményi said.

The company won a HUF 283m European Union grant for the investment.

Eissmann has been in Nyiregyhaza for 14 years. At present, 430 people work at its base there, but the company has committed to hiring another 117.

Böszörményi said the company had already met 90pc of this commitment and planned to make another hundred new hires this year, bringing headcount over 600 by 2012.

Eissmann makes gear shift knobs and gaiters as well as interior trim elements for partners such as Mercedes, Audi and Bentley.

Last year, Eissmann Automotive Hungária had revenue of €40m, Böszörményi said when asked by MTI. The unit was profitable, he added.