Andrada Verdes, Leoni Romania: “We must have a partnership, a dialogue with the authorities, so that together we can reach win-win solutions”

“2024 was an interesting year, we can even talk about another paradigm shift. The market was not prepared for that, the industry had to become more flexible and adapt to the changes.

We must learn to live flexibly, have quick ideas and deliver innovation. It is not easy to have this mindset, it is a challenge. We must invest in our people so that they are not affected by the changes in the market, so that they are prepared to face the challenges that will follow.

We cannot say forever that a difficult year is ahead. No, now is the time to find solutions. Besides production systems, besides innovation, it is important to invest in people. We must start with education at all levels, and then bring in people who will grow with us in the companies.

It is difficult to change an education system, but it is very easy to bring people to learn with us. I think it is an extraordinary thing that the companies in the car industry have succeeded in and this will better prepare us for other years like 2024,” Andrada Verdes, Country Manager, Leoni Wiring Systems Romania said during Automotive Forum 2024 organized by Automotive Today and The Diplomat-Bucharest.

“We have commitments to the entire ecosystem around us: investors, customers, suppliers, employees. Continuous improvements are in the DNA of the automotive industry. We are structured to continuously improve.

We asked and we ask for predictability from the government sector. We are at the moment when we all have to make a decision, to be united not only at the declarative level, it is time to have a partnership with the authorities.

The problem of the budget deficit in Romania cannot be solved by applying new taxes that will suffocate competitive companies. We must have a partnership, to have a dialogue with the authorities, so that we reach win-win solutions. If the automotive industry is supported to develop, then the country’s economy will also benefit.

It’s time to put your money where your mouth is. We have to move from words to deeds and this is a priority for us in 2025, together with ACAROM and all colleagues in the automotive industry.”