Voith commits to building a shared future with China

Appointed as the CEO of industrial leader Voith in November of last year, Toralf Haag said he believes China is a long-term partner in the company's future success, especially at a time when China's economy is shifting toward sustainable growth.

Founded in 1867, Voith is a family-owned industrial champion headquartered in Germany. It focuses on the markets of energy, oil and gas, paper, raw materials, transport and automotive.

Dedicated to being the technology partner for industrial generations, the company has already scored big successes, both globally and in China, underlined by its more than 150-year history.

According to the company, in last fiscal year (through Sept 30, 2018), China contributed to almost 19 percent of Voith's total sales.

The conglomerate looks back to more than 100 years of close ties with the Chinese economy.

Voith began its engagement in the Chinese market in 1910 when the company equipped ShiLongba, the first Chinese hydropower plant ever.

Since the 1980s, Voith has developed multiple production, sales and service locations in China and produced major achievements, including in the papermaking industry, infrastructure construction and digital technology.

To date, Voith has established more than 20 branches in China and boasts over 2,500 Chinese employees.

"Voith has witnessed the rapid development of the Chinese market," Haag said.

"China actively expands its opening-up, which has provided international companies with more choices in the global market.

"China has become one of the best investment destinations in the world and we are proud to participate in its opening-up process with a long-term commitment to support China's economic growth."

In January 2019, Voith cooperated with CRRC Corp, one of the largest rolling stock manufacturers in the world, and set up joint ventures in Beijing and Shanghai as part of its effort to further expand the rail market, both in China and globally.

"By bringing our resources together, we can enhance our well-established expertise in the rail industry, align our global supply chains, and explore opportunities in emerging markets to strengthen the leading positions in our respective markets," Haag explained.

With China's economy shifting from high-speed growth to quality growth, Haag says the country will also face challenges of industrial upgrading, smart manufacturing and environmental protection.

"We believe sustainable development and corporate success go hand in hand," he said.

"China's economic transition toward sustainable development will be an important contribution to this global trend."

As one of the leading solution providers of hydropower, well-known as a clean, sustainable and climate-friendly technology, Voith was involved in the construction of China's first hydropower station, Shi-Longba Hydropower Station in Yunnan Province, by selling its hydroelectric-generating sets in 1910.

Since then, it has become a partner in the construction of major large-scale hydropower plants in China, including the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydropower plant.

With over 150 years of expertise in the paper industry, Voith has upgraded the paper manufacturing process to ensure energy-efficient and resource-saving production through continued innovation.

In 2009, Voith established the world's largest production and service center for the papermaking industry in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, with a total investment of nearly 2 billion yuan.

"We are committed to supplying products and services to the Chinese paper industry and providing more efficient and environmentally friendly paper production over the entire product lifecycle," Haag said.

"In the age of Industry 4.0, digitalization and AI, technologies are rapidly changing industries and people's daily life."

Voith has set its digital agenda to support Chinese customers to sharpen their competitive edge, according to Haag.

"We will continue to invest in China by bringing world-leading technology, and developing local expert teams," he said.

"Voith is excited to contribute to the sustainable development of China's economy and the welfare of the Chinese people."

(China Daily 09/07/2019 page9)