From 5,000 to 16,000 square meters in less than one year: The world's largest press manufacturer, Schuler, has more than tripled its capacity at its production facility in Dalian. The new plant was officially inaugurated today in the city of six million people. Schuler has invested €16 million in expanding the site, which has also led to the creation of new jobs. In total, more than 350 people are working for Schuler in China.
"We intend significantly to boost our wealth creation in Asia," stated Schuler's CEO Stefan Klebert only recently. He continued by saying that China plays a central role in the company's strategy: "We are convinced that the economy there will continue to enjoy growth over the long term. With our machines and our expertise, we are assisting China in manufacturing high-quality products ranging from premium segment cars and efficient electric motors to consumer goods such as cans used for beverages such as soft drinks and aerosol containers."
"Dalian will become an important cornerstone for our production in China," said the China Managing Director, Oemer Akyazici, during the opening ceremony. "The new plant will make it possible for us to manufacture a large number of our products locally in line with German standards and safety norms. This means we can meet the high level of demand that we are encountering from Chinese industry, which requires the highest quality machines such as our presses. And, last but not least, it brings us even closer to our customers."
The new plant design is state-of-the-art, and production at the facility has been underway for several weeks. Schuler can produce an extremely wide variety of press models here: The scope of supply ranges from stamping and cutting systems to all kinds of hydraulic machines, and even press lines and blanking lines for the major carmakers, OEMs and their component suppliers, as well as for customers from other industries. About 180 guests took part in the official ceremony that started with a traditional lion dance. The guests included VIP representatives of the government, and customers drawn from automotive manufacturers and component suppliers in China, as well as from the forging, packaging, energy and coin stamping industries.
After the speakers officially cut the ribbon, visitors had the opportunity to take a tour of the new plant. At various stations, employees presented an overview of the operations, production capacity and products as well as Schuler's customers, and explained the planned expansion to the sales and service network in China.
The port city of Dalian in the northeast region of China is the center of heavy engineering in the People's Republic, and possesses optimum logistical links. Schuler China has its headquarters in Shanghai, where its strategic purchasing is also located for sourcing parts and components. In addition, development and design are also located there. Sales, service and after-sales service are located in Shanghai, in the capital Beijing and in the megacities of Jinan and Tianjin. Other service centers are currently being set up in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Changchun and Wuhan. This means Schuler is present in all the important customer regions.
Last year, Schuler achieved about one third of its sales, amounting to €1.23 billion, in China. The Group has been represented in the People's Republic with its own facilities as far back as the 1990s. Since 1992, hydraulic machines have been assembled at Tianjin SMG Presses. Shanghai Schuler Presses was founded two years later. The site is responsible for looking after the Group's entire product range, and has already won the Silver Supplier's Award from Shanghai Volkswagen on two occasions. Schuler's other customers in China include the carmakers FAW-VW, BMW Brilliance, Beijing Benz, FAW FCC and SVW, as well as component suppliers such as Benteler, Digidie, Jiaoyun, Magna/Cosma and Baosteel.
In Germany, Schuler can look back on almost 175 years of experience. The company was founded in 1839 by Louis Schuler in Göppingen, and still has its headquarters in the southwest town of Germany. In addition to Schuler, this region also hosts most other world-market leaders in the engineering industry. There are three major OEMs in the vicinity, namely Daimler, Audi and Porsche, companies that are also represented in the press manufacturer's portfolio.