REI Grup: Window and Door Manufacturer QFort Invests more than EUR 20 million in a New Factory Near Craiova

Casa Noastra Obtains State Aid of Over EUR 9 Million

• The non-reimbursable funding, totalling more than EUR 9 million, was obtained through the State aid scheme regulated by GD 807/2014;
• More than 200 employees will work in the new production facility;
• State aid scheme governed by GD 959/2022, the only support measure with an investment component currently available to companies: available budget is over EUR 300 million.

Casa Noastra, the manufacturer of QFort doors and windows and one of the largest manufacturers of insulating carpentry solutions in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), is investing more than 20 million euros in a new factory near Craiova, Dolj county.

The new production facility is part of a larger investment plan to expand the aluminium profile business, with a total investment of over EUR 20 million. For this project, Casa Noastră has applied for a state aid for investments, regulated by GD 807/2014, of over 9 million euros, successfully managed by the REI team, a group of companies specialized in attracting non-reimbursable financing, among top 3 largest consulting companies in Romania.

The financing agreement for the state aid was obtained by Casa Noastra – QFort at the beginning of 2020, and over the last two years investments have been made in the development of the hall and the purchase of equipment, with the factory due to start full operation next year, after only partial production this year.

Located in Pielesti, Dolj county, 6 km away from Craiova, the new production unit, specialising in the manufacture of aluminium carpentry, will generate over 200 new jobs.

„We are pleased to have been able to make this investment and achieve our goal of delivering a complementary product range to the market through the production of aluminium profiles locally, for which we have seen a growing demand in recent years. The investment, which was also made with the contribution of a state aid of about 45% of the total value of the project, will help us to better position our product offer both locally and for export, where we are present with an important part of our production, in markets such as Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain„, said Stefan Cherciu, owner of Casa Noastra – QFort.

According to data provided to REI by Neomar Consulting, a company specialising in the preparation of expert studies on the building materials sector, the market for insulating carpentry reached more than 900 million euros in 2021 and is on a continuous upward trend, with 80% of sales representing PVC profiles and 20% – aluminium carpentry.

REI Grup: Projects worth over EUR 200 million managed through the State aid scheme regulated by GD 807/2014

REI, a group of companies specialized in consultancy services for attracting non-reimbursable financing, with over 1,000 successfully intermediated projects, a team of over 80 specialists in 13 offices nationwide, has submitted, in recent years, projects totaling over 200 million euros, investments through the financing scheme regulated by GD 807/2014.

„Companies in the building materials manufacturing sector have been among the most active in investing in recent years, especially those in the field of thermal insulation carpentry, with a very high appetite for new developments. The carpentry market has seen growth well above the level of the construction market, due to growing consumption, new construction and renovations, where more and more companies have turned to grant support for investment projects. QFort’s investment project is another example that development plans bring results over time and state aid can be a winning alternative to these projects„, said Roxana Mircea, managing partner of REI Grup.

Out of this amount of more than 200 million euros invested through state aid in the REI portfolio, about 30% was accounted by projects of companies specialising in the production of insulating doors and windows.

State aid scheme regulated by GD 959/2022, the only support measure with an investment component currently available to companies: available budget is over EUR 300 million

The state aid scheme regulated by GD 959/2022 is the only non-reimbursable support financing measure for investments, which is addressed to start-ups, micro-enterprises, SMEs, but also to large companies, whether entrepreneurial or multinational. The funding round is now open, projects can be submitted on a rolling basis and projects can be submitted until December 16, 2022 at the latest.

With a multiannual budget of EUR 300 million for 2022 and 2023, the scheme is aimed in particular at supporting the manufacturing (production) and construction industries and provides up to 80% grant support for investments of at least EUR 3 million. The call opened on 1 November and will remain open until 16 December.

„The business community has been waiting with great interest for the launch of this new funding scheme. We have more than 20 projects in the pipeline on this new funding measure. Companies are requesting support for the construction of warehouses and the purchase of equipment, and the total value of the projects exceeds EUR 300 million„, added Roxana Mircea.

No less than 19 Romanian counties are benefiting from this year from non-reimbursable support of up to 60%, even 80% in the case of small businesses, through projects carried out with state aid, according to a REI analysis.

Thus, Botoșani, Suceava, Neamț, Bacău, Vaslui, Vrancea, Galați, Tulcea, Brăila, Buzău, Prahova, Ialomița, Călărași, Teleorman, Olt, Vâlcea, Gorj, Dolj and Mehedinți are the 19 counties that benefit from allocations of up to 60% in projects carried out through state aid as of this year, while the rest of the country’s counties have allocations of between 30 and 50%.

The state aid scheme regulated by GD 959/2022 is seen by many as a continuation of the well-known scheme regulated by GD 807/2014, on which projects worth hundreds of millions of euros have been successfully implemented.

GD 807/2014 had a final allocation, of around EUR 150 million, for a 45-day open session from 15 June to 26 July 2022, where the REI team submitted dozens of projects, involving investments of over EUR 200 million.

About Casa Noastra

Established in 1995, Casa Noastră is one of the leading manufacturers of PVC carpentry in Central and Eastern Europe (windows, doors, sliding or entrance doors, roller shutters and accessories). The quality of its products is recognized by its customers in Romania, as well as in the markets of Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and other European countries.

In 2001, Casa Noastră launched itself on the PVC carpentry market as a distributor of the Timișoara based manufacturer Mondo Style. In 2004, Casa Noastră starts the production of PVC insulating windows and doors and opens the first production line, and in 2005 a new modern production line is launched.

In 2009, the company launches the QFort brand in the European markets, with partnerships in Austria and Italy.

In more than 20 years of presence on the insulating carpentry market, Casa Noastră, through the QFort brand, has become one of the leading European manufacturers of PVC profiles. Casa Noastră – QFort ended 2021 with a turnover of 100 million euros and over 1,400 employees.

About REI Grup

REI FINANCE ADVISORS and REI INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING, part of REI Grup, are companies specialized in developing, implementing and monitoring the investment projects from the EU non-reimbursable funds (Regional Operational Program, Big Infrastructure Operational Programme, The National Rural Development Programme), as well as state aid schemes (GD 495/2014, GD 807/2014, GD 332/2014, GEO 81/2019, GEO 130/2020).

According to 2021 data, REI is the second largest national consulting company specialized in attracting EU funding and state aid.

The REI team currently consists of more than 80 consultants, mainly senior-level, in 13 regional offices, with extensive experience in attracting non-reimbursable funds for local or international companies.

REI has successfully attracted funding for more than 1,000 clients in Romania, with more than 1,000 projects implemented and a success rate – leading in the field – of 99%.

With over 10 years experience in this field, REI specialists adapt easily to market requirements, knowing very well the mechanisms of non-reimbursable funds and identifying opportunities for obtaining financing from internal and external sources. The team effectively manage project activities, the relationship with public authorities and private companies, both multinational companies and Romanian business companies. More details about REI Grup activity can be found here.