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SSAB to Establish R&D Facility in China
10/18/2010 - SSAB will build a Research and Development Facility in Kunshan, China, as part of its strategy to establish a strong footprint in Asia. The new facility is expected to begin operations in the third quarter 2011.
SSAB will build a Research and Development Facility in Kunshan, China, as part of its strategy to establish a strong footprint in Asia. This is part of an already-announced investment in Kunshan, which also includes a finishing line. The total investment amounts to SEK 320 million.
The R&D center will focus on workshop expertise and application development of high-strength steels. Chinese customers will receive training on how to use the material in the best way to enhance production efficiency and improve product structural design. The new facility is expected to begin operations in the third quarter 2011.
“SSAB has the products and knowledge to build a much stronger position in China and the rest of Asia. Our view on knowledge sharing has proven to be very successful. We not only provide our clients with material, but also focus on customer care and support. We want to help our clients push the limits of what is possible,” said Martin Pei Ph. D, President of SSAB APAC.
SSAB says the finishing line in Kunshan will improve delivery performance, shorten lead times, and offer value-added service to Chinese customers. In the new finishing line, semi-finished plates from Sweden and the U.S. will be cut, blasted, and painted based on customer orders. The existing Plate Center will be equipped as a Hardox Wear Parts Center, offering value-added service to the aftermarket. The finishing line is expected to be commissioned in mid 2011.
“By 2015, the Asian market, of which China is a big part, is expected to account for 20% of SSAB’s total output of niche products. SSAB will continue expanding its local organization and investments to honor its long-standing commitment to the China market,” said Pei.
SSAB, a global leader in value-added, high-strength steel, offers products developed in close cooperation with its customers. The company employs 8700 people in more than 45 countries around the world and operates production facilities in Sweden and the U.S. It is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Nordic Exchange, Stockholm.
