Siemens AG has announced that it is opening a new large scale factory in Tenjo, a suburb of the capital of Colombia and thereby laying the basis for its even stronger growth in the region.

Siemens is investing EUR 70 million in the new green production facility, which will meet the highest standards for energy efficiency and eco friendly production. The new factory will create 500 jobs for the Tenjo Bogota region. Products from all three Siemens Sectors namely Energy, Industry and Healthcare will be produced at the facility under one roof.

Mr Álvaro Uribe Vélez President of Colombia and Siemens president & CEO Mr Peter Loscher took part in the opening ceremony. Mr Loscher said that "I'm very pleased that we’ve been successful at Tenjo in harmonizing sustainable resource saving production with the most advanced production standards. Our largest investment so far in Colombia is the basis for a long term commitment in this country."

The production facilities occupy an area of more than 96,000 square meters, the equivalent of ten soccer fields. In addition to transformers, electric motors, ventilation systems and hearing aids will be manufactured. The combination of several production lines will require a high degree of technical specialization.

The specially created free trade zone in Tenjo will enable Siemens to export the products manufactured there to some 20 different markets in the Americas as well as to China. About two thirds of the products manufactured at the facility will go for export. Siemens already has 5,000 employees in the Austral Andina Region, which in addition to Colombia includes Argentina and Chile.