The investment amounts to around €17 million. For this expansion a contract was signed for the use of a 66,000 square meter plot.
"Ten years ago we started with 14 employees in China. Since then, our sales increased steadily, "said Fried Klefenz, Group President of Bosch Packaging Technology.
The company currently employs 400 people in Hangzhou. For this year, sales in China are expected to reach €85 million with locally manufactured products and in products which are mainly manufactured in Bosch’s European planta.
Bosch serves with production in China mainly the regional packaging machinery market which is estimate growing at an average rate of 15% in the coming years.
"For this reason, we create additional capacity with the new location, because our existing plant in the next two years, will reach its utilization threshold," said Klefenz.
In Chengdu, Bosch will begin early next year with production in a rented hall. Construction of the new plant is planned for 2014.
A year later, the first construction phase will be completed and occupied by buildings with a total area of 13,500 square meters of which 7,200 m2 for production.