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Sandvik Breaks Ground on New R&D Center in Zhenjiang, China
03/11/2013 - Sandvik is investing in a new high-tech research & development center adjacent to its manufacturing facilities in Zhenjiang — an important milestone in the company’s continuing development in China.
Sandvik is investing in a new high-tech research & development center adjacent to its manufacturing facilities in Zhenjiang — an important milestone in the company’s continuing development in China.
At a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony to mark commencement of the development on Wednesday, 6 March 2013, Sandvik Materials Technology (SMT) management team and Zhenjiang local government officials turned the first soil on the site as SMT China employees watched.
“This ceremony marks a further significant step in Sandvik’s long established commitment to the market in China and throughout Asia,” said Mr. Johan Hedlund, SMT head of human resources.
Sandvik’s investment in research and development is the largest in the industry and provides the company with a route to introduce new, innovative products to the benefit of its customers. It also means it has the ability to review and invest in product research and development programs designed to bring long term operational benefits in some of the most demanding applications in the world.
On behalf of the Zhenjiang local government Mr. Qiliang Gui, vice secretary of Zhenjiang municipal government and vice director of Zhenjiang New Area Administration Committee, emphasized, “SMT’s new R&D Center in Zhenjiang will help to promote the pace of development of the Zhenjiang local market. Meanwhile, we, as a community, will continue to provide the best services and infrastructure to all international enterprises.”
Building work on the 1,440 square meter center will commence in summer 2013 with plans for the center to be operational early in 2014. It will accommodate special laboratories, a learning center, offices and an exhibition area.
Once completed, the center will add to the number of Sandvik research & development facilities worldwide, strategically located in Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Sandvik China cresident, ZZ Zhang added, “Our ambition in developing this new, dedicated center is to create a powerful R&D team which covers all technical competence needed to support the demands of the Chinese market. It will work in close liaison with SMT R&D units worldwide.
“The laboratories will be equipped to the highest standards with modern analytical equipment, including scanning electron microscopes and advanced mechanical testing facilities.”
On completion, the center will support not only production units, but also the sales organization and customers with technical training seminars and detailed research into material applications for the benefit of Sandvik customers. It will also provide materials analysis for other Sandvik business areas, especially Sandvik Construction and Sandvik Machining Solutions.
