PREŠOV, Slovakia — DeJong, operating as a stand-alone business unit within Rheem Global Water, has begun the construction of a new factory in Prešov, Slovakia.

The future manufacturing site will have an eventual capacity of a million water tanks per year and serve as a strategically located hub to meet the growing demand for hot water tanks across Europe, a press release from Rheem said.

DeJong is a manufacturer of stainless-steel hot water tanks and works closely with customers to develop multiple applications, including for heat pumps, boiler configurations, and solar energy systems. Founded in 1859, DeJong is headquartered in Gorredijk, Netherlands, where it operates its Dutch production location and its European technology center.

“DeJong selected Eastern Slovakia because of its skilled and multilingual workforce, experienced builders, and the presence of well-developed rail and roadways,” said Lee Fletcher, plant manager of DeJong Slovakia.

In recent months, DeJong Slovakia has made significant steps to lay the foundation for its flagship facility, the press release said. The multi-phased project on track for its first products to roll out in 2026.

“We are proud to support DeJong in the development of their new facility in Prešov. This investment is key to Rheem’s growth strategy in Europe, and together we will continue to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions for heating systems to our customers,” said Arno La Haye, managing director of Rheem Europe.

Since Rheem’s acquisition of DeJong in 2022, the company has doubled production capacity and invested in long-term growth.