Special supplement: Industrial forum highlights cooperation

The forum was launched by the Calsion Group. Representatives from about 300 domestic and overseas industrial players attended the forum to discuss areas of cooperation and the development of the industry.

Wu Baoliang, chairman of the Calsion Group's board of directors, said at the meeting that it is the first time the Chinese power generator sector has held such a large-scale industrial forum.

He expressed his belief that the forum will be a good opportunity to boost Calsion's development.

Founded in 1996 and based in Dongguan in South China's Guangdong Province, the Calsion Group is mainly engaged in the production and sale of diesel-fueled generators and related equipment.

The group has established subsidiary companies and service centers in Singapore, and in various locations around China, including Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Beijing Municipality, and Guangdong, Zhejiang and Hainan provinces. Its production base in Dongguan is the original equipment manufacturer for such internationally renowned players as Germany-based MTU and France's Leroy-Somer.

Wu especially praised his company's cooperative activities with MTU, saying his group has benefited greatly from the successful partnership with the famous German engine manufacturer.

"MTU is one of the world's leading suppliers of diesel engines, complete sets of drive systems for ships, heavy land and rail vehicles, industrial applications, and decentralized power generation plants. Relying on the famous MTU brand, Calsion is expected to achieve wider cooperation with domestic partners and procure a larger share of the domestic market," Wu noted.

MTU in China

Peter Kneipp, CEO of MTU in the Asia-Pacific, who also attended the forum, said MTU has a 40-year presence in China and attached great importance to the Chinese market.

In 1996, MTU launched the wholly invested MTU Engineering (Suzhou) Co in Suzhou in East China's Jiangsu Province.

On June 27, 2006, the second phase of the Suzhou company, which assemblies MTU S2000 series engines and involves an investment of $27.2 million, was put into operation.

The company offered employment for 150 local workers.

Kneipp especially praised the skills of Chinese employees, as many of them have received training in Germany, Singapore and Japan. He envisaged better career development for Chinese employees on account of their spirit of teamwork and willingness to learn, and said MTU will offer them greater assistance in career planning.

Speaking about MTU's development prospects in China, Kneipp predicted steady growth for his firm, with an increase in market share from the present 10 percent to 20 percent. And MTU Suzhou's production of S2000 series engines will double in 2008, he added.

MTU will also establish a nationwide after-sales service network to ensure the quality of its products.

In addition, MTU will explore the mining industry in China in the near future and will also invest in other industries based on the findings of its market surveys, Kneipp added.

"MTU will continue to target the high-end market segment through providing low-pollution, low-emission and high-standard products," said Kneipp.

Kneipp said the Calsion Group has been an excellent partner for MTU over many years. He foresees a promising future for both companies because they are complementary to each other.

He said the Calsion Generators (Boao) Forum 2007 is a good platform for MTU to introduce its products to its Chinese counterparts and to understand the Chinese market and clients.

This is Kneipp's first visit to Hainan Province. He had high praise for the province's natural environment and expected increased usage of MTU's environmentally friendly products in Hainan, further contributing to environmental protection there.

(China Daily 04/27/2007 page24)