Sumitomo (SHI) Demag China, Chiba, Japan, a specialist in injection molding machines for plastics processing, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony with local political figures at the Ningbo site of its new 4,000 sq. meter production hall. Attended by the mayor and city council from the Beilun district, CEO Pietro Scattarreggia marked the occasion by announcing that the bigger facility sets the path for future growth, creating 50 new jobs and doubling production capacity.
Granted permission to commence construction towards the end of 2022, Scattarreggia reports that the new facility is set to open in autumn 2023 to coincide with the group’s 25th production anniversary in China. Putting into context the enormous market potential, the CEO affirmed that the Asian market in general, particularly automotive and electromobility in China, is booming.
The expansion of the Ningbo production hall gives the team more space to manufacture more machines, but also expand production to include the larger tonnage Systec Servo machines. “Until now, our production has been limited to machines with clamp forces up to 1,000 tons. Given the demand for larger precision components, being able to extend our product portfolio up to 1,500 tons means we can drastically reduce delivery times for customers in China and Asia,” reported Scattarreggia. He citeed this above all else as the strategic rationale for the expansion.
With its hybrid drive concept, the Systec Servo series, characterized by its absolute precision, excellent stability and durability, offers manufacturers of automotive, white goods and consumer components a powerful and energy efficient system. With full process integration for flexible and versatile production of larger components.
Ideally, the Systec series is suited to these processing requirements, reports Scattarreggia. To support the manufacturing of these larger and heavier machines, the Ningbo production hall is installing stronger cranes.
Additionally, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag China remains committed to reducing its production carbon footprint. An installation of a new solar system measuring 7,000 sq. meters last September means that the facility can virtually operate independently of the local energy supply.
In recent years, many production sites in China have felt the impact of power rationing. With a solar source, the Ningbo facility no longer will be affected by future rations. “This is of great significance for production stability,” said Scattarreggia.
For more information, visit www.sumitomo-shi-demag.us.
