Heidelberg also operates production sites in four other countries outside Germany.
The plant has 5000 square metres of assembly space and will assemble folders and small-format presses on the site for the Chinese market, strengthening its position in the growing Asian market.
The company has invested 10 million Euros in the plant which has already started production focusing primarily on a specific series of folders for finishing print products. Key parts for the machines are initially being supplied by German production sites but eventually, approximately 80 percent of parts are to be sourced from local Chinese suppliers.
China has the fastest growing printing industry in the world, with 100,000 or so print shops currently growing at a rate of 15 percent a year. Investment is also growing in tandem with sales.
According to industry experts, by 2007 China will be the world’s largest single market for press sales. As in most other countries, it is offset printing presses that account for the greatest proportion of sales.
Several factors persuaded Heidelberg to establish its own assembly site in China, including the increasing market growth, logistics factors, and the benefits of being close to the market.
The new factory in the Qingpu industrial zone has been built to German specifications tailored to Chinese requirements.
The first development phase comprises buildings with a total area of 6,200 square meters. The 5,000-square-meter assembly hall is on one level, with two floors of office space, staff areas and showrooms directly adjacent. The complex is equipped with multifunctional facilities and can be extended on a modular basis.
A second, 11,000-square-meter hall is being built next to the first assembly hall and is scheduled for completion by Spring 2007. This hall will house the press assembly, while the smaller hall is to house the folder assembly. The second phase will also significantly expand the showroom capacity available at Qingpu.
