Grand opening of the Hoval’s most modern ePlant plant in Istebné. It will bring hundreds of jobs and regional development
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic Denisa Saková, together with Prime Minister Róbert Fico, attended the grand opening of Howal’s new ePlant plant in Istebné on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Hoval has been operating in Istebné since 2004 and currently employs more than 330 people. Its new project to produce heat pumps is providing a significant boost to the development of the Orava region and the whole of Slovakia in the field of modern technologies.
“I am glad that the state has supported the expansion of clean technology production here in the region, which will create 457 new jobs. Hoval is providing an important boost for Orava and Slovakia in strengthening the diversification of our economy. The company, with its Liechtenstein roots, is also a wonderful example of how even small countries can do great things,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Denisa Saková.
After touring the new plant, Minister Saková also met with Hubert Büchel, Minister of Home Affairs, Economy and Sport of Liechtenstein. They discussed further opportunities for mutual economic cooperation between the countries, one of the topics being the grand opening of the new Hoval plant, which both attended.
The new plant in Istebné is part of a project to diversify existing production to include heat pumps and establish a new technology centre. Thanks to this investment, at least 450 jobs will be created in production and 7 jobs in the technology centre. The total value of the investment amounts to more than €53 million in industrial production and almost €600,000 in the technology centre. Regional investment aid amounting to €8 million, in the form of income tax relief, was approved for this investment project in 2023.
Hoval is one of the largest Liechtenstein companies operating in Slovakia. Its heating and indoor climate solutions are exported to more than 50 countries around the world. Due to the growing demand for heat pumps, the company is expanding its production capacity and building new facilities, which includes the expansion of the plant in Istebné.
The Press Department of MoE SR