Construction begins on Karl Storz China headquarters

Karl Storz, the German manufacturer and supplier of medical instruments and devices, started to construct its China headquarters in Shanghai on Wednesday.

The China headquarters, located at Shanghai Zhangjiang Park, will receive an initial investment of 200 million yuan ($31.5 million) and will cover an area of 3,000 square meters.

It will work as a multi-functional, comprehensive base for Karl Storz's development in China, which includes an R&D center, logistics, training and after-sales service.

Construction is expected to be finished in 2015.

"China's medical instruments and devices market has steadily increased in recent years. And the minimally invasive surgery industry has attracted extensive attention worldwide," said Sybill Storz, chief executive of the Karl Storz group.

"With the establishment of our China headquarters, we will continue to strengthen our efforts to develop China's business, improve the R&D ability in the local region and bring more advanced endoscope technology and products to China," she said.

The company is expected to have more than 30 percent annual sales growth in China in the coming five years, and the number of employees is expected to at least double.