"Macedonia was the next logical step of our internationalization strategy in Central and Southeastern Europe. Austria is already one of the most important investors in Macedonia. Effective immediately, we have a presence in the Macedonian market and we will develop this market according to our »follow the customer« strategy. With the office in Skopje, we can now serve almost the entire Southeastern Europe region with local employees", explains Thomas Schöpf, Member of the Kapsch CarrierCom AG Board of Directors.

First projects in the pipeline
A first reference project in Macedonia is in the pipeline. Kapsch has received a frame order from EVN for the delivery of point-to-point radio systems, and the delivery and installation of these is planned for autumn, 2009. The point-to-point radio system, based on Harris Stratex products, operates with frequencies between 6 and 18 GHz. The system, for example, will connect the EVN customer center with the company’s internet and IT-systems. Kapsch has local expertise with the integration of the local TIS Grupa subsidiary into the Macedonian Kapsch branch. Kapsch CarrierCom recently acquired the majority of the TIS Grupa subsidiary TIS.kis in Croatia and established the joint company Kapsch TIS d.o.o. A team of five is now working in Macedonia.

"With the new office in Skopje, we are increasing our local presence in the Southeastern European market. The market environment is not as favourable as it was previously due to the current economic crisis. Nevertheless, Southeastern and Eastern Europe remain interesting as the countries are nearby Austria and they have both competitive wage levels and skilled staff. The close co-operation with the Bulgarian, Croatian and Belarusian subsidiaries creates synergies, which will positively contribute to the growth and expansion of our business", explains Astrid Kaufmann, Kapsch DOOEL Skopje’s Managing Director.

Kapsch CarrierCom’s team aims to have strategic development co-operations with local universities in order to create sustainable growth in the Macedonian market. This development competence will be used for local customer projects in Macedonia, as well as for other markets in the region. The Kapsch office in Skopje will work closely with the headquarters in Vienna, with the subsidiaries in Sofia and Zagreb, as well as with the recently opened office in Minsk in order to offer attractive products and services for the Southeastern European market.