As a result of the Russian attack on the Zhytomyr region on the night of 9 August The company suffered serious damage «Kromberg & Schubert Zhytomyr» — a major manufacturer of electrical wiring systems for the automotive industry. The company’s management has officially announced that significant damage and widespread destruction of production facilities and infrastructure. As a result of the strike, the factory has suspended operations completely for an indefinite period.
The company employs around 3,500 people. Despite the extent of the damage, none of the factory’s employees were injured. It will only become clear when production can resume once a technical inspection of the damaged facilities has been carried out.
Kromberg & Schubert has confirmed extensive damage to the plant
The head of the Zhytomyr Regional State Administration has published an official statement from the management of «Kromberg & Schubert Zhytomyr» Vitaliy Bunechko.
The company reported that as a result of the Russian attack The company’s production facilities and infrastructure suffered significant damage and extensive destruction.
Kromberg & Schubert stressed that this is a civilian manufacturing enterprise with 100%, funded by German capital, which has been operating in the Zhytomyr region for 11 years and provides employment for around 3,500 people.
The company also emphasised that the main piece of good news is that none of its employees were injured.
The plant has been shut down for an indefinite period
The extent of the damage has proved to be so severe that it is currently impossible to continue production.
The management stated that The company’s operations have been temporarily suspended for an indefinite period. First, the specialists must carry out a technical assessment of the facility and draw up a comprehensive list of the restoration work required. Only then will the company be able to estimate the likely timeframe for resuming production.
Therefore, the claim that the factory has been «completely destroyed» is currently somewhat stronger than the company’s own wording. Officially, Kromberg & Schubert states that «significant damage and widespread destruction», sufficient to bring production to a complete halt.
What does Kromberg & Schubert produce in Zhytomyr?
On its official Ukrainian website, the company states that its Zhytomyr plant specialises in the production of world-class electrical on-board cable systems for motor vehicles.
These are complex wiring harnesses which effectively form the «nervous system» of a modern car — connecting electronic modules, lighting, sensors, comfort and safety systems, and other electrical equipment.
The official website of the Zhytomyr plant specifically mentions MAN and Škoda among the car brands associated with his manufacturing projects.
At the same time, the Kromberg & Schubert Group’s global client list is considerably more extensive. The company itself cites the following as long-standing clients: Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Mini, Škoda, Porsche, Seat, MAN Trucks & Bus and Daimler Bus.
It is therefore more accurate to state that Kromberg & Schubert, as an international group, supplies products to BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, whereas the official page of the Zhytomyr-based company itself currently specifically highlights MAN and Škoda.
This is one of the major German investors in the Zhytomyr region
The company plays a vital role in the region’s economy. Vitaliy Bunechko described it as one of the region’s key revenue-generating enterprises, backed by German investment.
Following the attack, the Zhytomyr Regional State Administration and the local authorities began exploring ways to assist the company. According to Bunechko, the aim is to save the company, support its workforce and create the conditions for operations to resume as quickly as possible.
Rescue workers and an investigative team were at the factory site following the strike. The consequences of the attack were contained by the State Emergency Service.
The blow affected more than just the company
Russia attacked the Zhytomyr region on the night of 9 August. The strike caused damage to civilian infrastructure, a private business and residential buildings. In total, reports from the region indicated that three victims, one person was admitted to hospital with burns, whilst two others suffered an acute stress reaction.
Consequently, the blow to Kromberg & Schubert has more than just local consequences. The company is part of the international automotive supply chain, works with major European manufacturers and provides thousands of jobs in Ukraine.
The extent of the economic losses has not yet been announced. The main issue now is the condition of the production equipment and whether the damaged facilities can be restored once the technical assessment has been completed.
