Greenfield vs Brownfield: What Works in CEE Nearshoring?

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What’s the smartest way to expand manufacturing in Central and Eastern Europe?

For many companies, the answer comes down to one big decision: greenfield vs brownfield.

Build new—or breathe life into what already exists?

As nearshoring to CEE accelerates, understanding the trade-offs between these two investment paths is no longer optional. It’s the kind of decision that affects everything from your ramp-up speed to your long-term competitiveness.

And while both approaches can work brilliantly, they serve different priorities—and demand different execution strategies.

1. Why CEE, and Why This Question Now?

Let’s set the stage.

Nearshoring in CEE is surging. Supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and the push for European production sovereignty have made the region a magnet for global manufacturers. FDI in CEE manufacturing jumped 28% in 2024, and more is coming.

But the companies moving fast aren’t just choosing the right country. They’re choosing the right setup—and that’s where the greenfield vs brownfield debate really matters.

2. Greenfield: Custom-Built, Future-Ready

Imagine a clean slate: the land is handpicked, the facility is designed from the ground up, and every detail—from technology to layout—is tailored to fit the process perfectly.

That’s the power of a greenfield investment.

It’s ideal if you:

• Need advanced automation or Industry 4.0 features
• Want full control over plant design and workflow
• Have a longer runway to launch operations

Companies like BMW have taken this route. Their €2B electric vehicle plant in Debrecen, Hungary, is a showcase of what’s possible when you build from scratch—modern, efficient, and fully digitalized. But it also came with complexity: years of coordination, permitting, and infrastructure build-out.

Greenfield works best when you’re playing the long game.

3. Brownfield: Speed and Savings—With a Catch

Now picture this: a facility that already exists. Infrastructure? Check. Permits? Possibly. Road access? Likely. Maybe even power and equipment in place.

That’s what a brownfield investment offers.

It’s a strong choice if you:

• Need to get to market fast
• Are entering a region with limited land availability
• Want to keep capex relatively low

onsemi’s $2B expansion in Czechia is a textbook example. By scaling up an existing fab, they saved time and plugged into the local workforce and supply chain immediately.

But here’s the catch: brownfields often come with surprises. Legacy contamination. Old layouts. Unexpected retrofit costs. If you’re not careful, what looks like a shortcut becomes a sinkhole.

4. Cost, Speed, Complexity—How They Really Compare

When it comes to greenfield vs brownfield in CEE, here’s how things usually stack up:

• Cost: Greenfield is higher up front but can be cheaper long-term (especially in energy efficiency and maintenance). Brownfield is cheaper early on, but watch for renovation costs.
• Speed: Brownfield often gets you operational faster—sometimes up to 12 months sooner. But only if the site is turnkey.
• Permits: Greenfield needs full zoning, environmental, and construction permits. Brownfield may already have these—or need updates.
• Flexibility: Greenfield lets you design for scale and efficiency. Brownfield may limit future expansion or require workarounds.

And don’t forget government incentives. CEE countries offer generous packages for both options. Poland’s Special Economic Zones, Hungary’s EV clusters, Romania’s logistics corridors—they all support greenfield and brownfield setups alike.

5. Supply Chains & Site Strategy: One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Choosing between greenfield and brownfield affects your broader supply chain.

Need to be close to OEMs in Germany? A brownfield in Czechia might be perfect.

Planning to centralize European distribution? A greenfield near a major highway corridor in Poland could be ideal.

It’s not just about buildings. It’s about being where your products, people, and partners can move efficiently. That’s why location strategy—especially in CEE—should be part of your initial feasibility study, not an afterthought.

6. What Interim Management Adds to the Mix

This is where CE Interim comes in.

Whether you’re launching a greenfield project or taking over a brownfield site, execution is everything.

We’ve seen clients stall projects for months because internal teams were stretched or lacked regional know-how.

Enter interim experts.

• For greenfields: Interim COOs or Project Directors can drive land acquisition, oversee build phases, manage vendor selection, and hire the first ops team.
• For brownfields: Interim Plant Managers or Integration Leads help align the site with your standards, retrain staff, and bring processes up to speed fast.

These roles aren’t about theory—they’re about rolling up sleeves and getting you live without delay.

7. Real-World Lessons from CEE

Still undecided? Look at what others are doing.

• Greenfield: BMW’s EV factory in Hungary is future-proof—but it took years of planning and deep government cooperation.
• Brownfield: onsemi’s fab expansion in Czechia was lightning-fast—but only because the site already fit their tech roadmap.
• Hybrid: Mercedes-Benz in Poland blended both, expanding on existing infrastructure while building new space. Smart, strategic, scalable.

Each approach worked. Because it fit their goals.

Final Word—and a Thought

So, greenfield vs brownfield: which one wins?

There’s no universal answer. But there is a smart one—for your goals, budget, and timeline.

If you’re still weighing your options, don’t go it alone. CE Interim has helped companies across Europe execute both strategies—successfully, on time, and without unnecessary risk.

👉 Let’s talk about how we can support your next move. From project planning to interim execution, we’re here to build with you—or rebuild what’s already there.