With effect from 1 September 2022, Slovak managers have for the first time become members of the management team of the Kia Slovakia manufacturing plant. Roman Kraľovanský has been appointed Vice President responsible for the Production Division, while Branislav Imre will lead the Administration Division. These appointments are the result of a long-term, targeted effort to localise top management positions at Kia Slovakia.
“It is a great honour and at the same time a challenge for me to lead the Production Division at Kia Slovakia. I firmly believe that under my leadership, production of the Ceed and Sportage models will continue to develop successfully and that we will be well prepared for the future transformation of the automotive industry. My priorities include the quality of the vehicles produced, continuous improvement of the working environment, workplace safety, and employment stability for our employees and their families,” said Roman Kraľovanský, Vice President of the Production Division at Kia Slovakia.
Roman Kraľovanský began his career at Kia Slovakia in spring 2005, joining the maintenance section of the press shop. He later served as Maintenance Manager for the press shop, body shop and engine shop until 2009. In 2010, he was appointed Head of the Body Shop Department, where he was responsible for vehicle body production. He subsequently led final vehicle assembly for five years. In October 2017, he was appointed Head of the Production Subdivision, overseeing the complete vehicle manufacturing process—from stamping and welding to painting and final assembly. In April 2022, his responsibilities were expanded to include engine production. As of 1 September 2022, he has assumed the position of Vice President responsible for the Production Division, including maintenance and production control.
Branislav Imre graduated in Industrial Engineering from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Transport and Communications in Žilina. He joined Kia Slovakia in 2005, where he participated in the construction of the engine production plant. From 2009, he worked as Head of the Engine Parts Machining Section, and in 2012 he was appointed Head of the Engine Assembly Section. In 2014, he became Head of the Engine Production Department, where he was responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of both engine plants and managed production, engineering and maintenance sections.
At the beginning of 2018, he moved to the position of Head of the Quality Department, with the aim of improving quality management processes in close cooperation with production departments. With effect from 1 September 2022, Branislav Imre was appointed Vice President responsible for leading the Administration Division.
