National Instruments celebrates ten years in Hungary

US-based National Instruments (NI), which makes industrial gauges and control systems, on Friday marked its tenth year in the Hungarian city of Debrecen.

NI has invested $60m in Hungary over the past ten years, said CFO Alex Davern. The company employs 1,100 people in Hungary, he added.

Output of NI's Hungarian unit accounts for about half a percent of Hungary's GDP, he said.

In addition to production, NI has an R&D centre in Debrecen and its pan-European financial department and global IT services are based there.

NI chairman James Truchard said the company placed great importance on employee wellbeing. Quality production can only take place if employees feel well in their place of work, he explained.

NI Hungary managing director Laszlo Abraham said further big investments are not expected at the unit, just the renovation of existing production lines and the expansion of one building.

NI Hungary recently inaugurated its eighth production line at a cost of HUF 800m. One-fifth of the cost was covered by a government grant. The new line boosted capacity by 17% and raised headcount by 22.