“Tyre wholesaler Marso Ltd. will be constructing a new logistics centre in Dunaharaszti; the 4.6-billion-forint (EUR 12.7 million) investment by the Hungarian-owned company will be creating 50 new workplaces”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced on Wednesday in Budapest.

“The government is providing 693 million forints (EUR 1.92 million) in non-returnable funding towards the investment project.  The 17 thousand-square-metre logistics centre will enable the company’s further growth and everyday shipments to various points throughout the country”, he added. Mr. Szijjártó highlighted the fact that logistics is one of the most dynamically developing sectors in Hungary, and currently employs over 300 thousand people. “In view of the fact that Marso Limited has over a thousand retailers all over the country, it has become the sector’s company with the highest turnover in Hungary”, he highlighted. “The company’s turnover increased by 7 percent last year, and the company continued to achieve significant growth during the first 8 months of this year”, he told the press, adding: “This is also a clear indication of the fact that Marso Ltd. has successfully found the right strategy to follow during the crisis”. “The sector is finally exploiting the geographical advantages afforded by the country’s position, the fact that we are at the heart of Europe. It has become clear that the main transport arteries that pass through Hungary represent a huge resource”, the Minister underlined. “When we closed the borders in the spring, within a few minutes the telephone lines from Western Balkan and neighbouring countries began burning, complaining that if we do not allow their citizens to pass through Hungary then they will be unable to return home”, he added. According to Mr. Szijjártó, we cannot allow everyday life to become paralyzed as a result of the virus. “There is currently a consensus with relation to one thing: Everything is going to change as a result of the epidemic. The Hungarian economy has become vigorous thanks to the efforts of the past ten years, and this is enabling the current situation to also be viewed as an opportunity”, he stated, adding that the more Hungarian enterprises realise development projects during the difficult period, the more competitive the Hungarian economy will be.

Managing Director of Marso Limited Zoltán Becser told reporters that the family-owned Nyíregyháza-based business was established 30 years ago. In addition to Hungary, the company is also present in Romania and Serbia. The company has thirty shops in Hungary, and also provided maintenance services. Last year, the company achieved 27.3 billion forints (EUR 75.6 million) in turnover, and over 40 billion (EUR 110.8 million) at group level. This makes Marso Ltd. the company with the 5th highest turnover in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County. “The investment is being launched because of the increased demand for storage capacity, and in the first phase the company will be constructing a 17 thousand-square-metre warehousing centre together with the required service facilities; according to plan, the building will be ready to be put into commission within a year”, the company director explained, adding: “The development project concerns the modernisation of the company’s whole logistics system and warehousing technology, and the Transdanubia region will be supplied from the new centre in Dunaharaszti, thereby enabling the shipment of goods within 24-48 hours”.

(MTI/Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister)