Mercedes Plant

CÉH zRt.’s cooperation with the Mercedes-Benz plant in Kecskemét began in 2008. As a partner of the German engineering firm Kohlbecker Gesamtplan GmbH, also known as KAI, we became involved in the design of the first Mercedes-Benz passenger car plant in Hungary. During the initial phase, between 2008 and 2012, we contributed to the design of 14 buildings with a total floor area of approximately 330,000 m² as part of what was then an entirely greenfield development. These included the press shop, body shop, paint shop and assembly plant, as well as several logistics, office and service buildings.

The coordination of the plant buildings, production technology and specialist engineering systems was supported by a shared three-dimensional design environment. This allowed the technological interfaces to be reviewed accurately and the building structures, mechanical and electrical systems, and internal logistics processes to be coordinated effectively.

Since then, we have been involved in almost every stage of the site’s development. In addition to major extensions, we continuously prepare the designs for smaller and larger internal modifications required by modernisation projects and model changes. Over the past ten years, we have worked on more than 150 projects at the plant. In many cases, our design services have been complemented by project management and technical supervision. We carried out the larger design assignments undertaken since 2015, as well as the more than 150 smaller projects, in cooperation with our strategic partner, KondiCAD Mérnökiroda Kft.

Major standalone developments included the Csillag Nursery and Kindergarten, which opened in 2015, and its subsequent extension; a 23,000 m² logistics hall designed in 2016; the 8,000 m² training centre completed in 2018; and the new 22,500 m² press shop designed in 2021. In 2022, the press shop was complemented by a 19,500 m² logistics hall and a body sorting facility. In 2024, we contributed to the design of the 2,200 m² building known internally as the “Akcionáló” Hall.

Since 2022, we have been designing internal modifications to the assembly plant and body shop to enable the production of electric vehicles and new models to be integrated into the existing operational environment.

A further milestone in the development of the site was the official opening of the new production units on 13 July 2026 and the launch of series production of the new all-electric C-Class. Following the expansion, the Kecskemét site became one of Hungary’s largest automotive production locations and the second-largest plant in Mercedes-Benz’s global production network. Employing more than 5,000 people, the plant is currently the largest employer in the region and plays a defining role in the economy of Kecskemét and the surrounding area.

The modernisation projects present distinctive engineering challenges. New structures and technical solutions must be integrated into an operational environment densely occupied by production technology and building services systems. The designs must comply with Mercedes-Benz’s own technical requirements and standards. At the same time, precise coordination between the architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and production technology disciplines is essential.

The detailed knowledge of the site accumulated over nearly two decades enables CÉH zRt. to support the plant’s extensions, model changes and continuous modernisation through coordinated engineering services from design to implementation.

Partner engineering firms: Kohlbecker Gesamtplan GmbH, KondiCAD Mérnökiroda Kft.