Metso expands in China
Metso, a global engineering and technology corporation, is looking to strengthen its manufacturing base, service capability and human resources in all of its business areas in China.
Year 2007 has seen remarkable steps for Metso in China. Production plants have expanded operations with new units being established.
In 2006, China was Metso's third biggest country, by net sales. The net sales of Metso's Chinese subsidiaries were 97 million euros ($143.93 million) and Metso's total sales to China was 377 million euros ($559.39 million).
The first Metso paper machine arrived in China during the 1950s. For five decades, Metso has supported Chinese customers with solutions and know-how.
Today, Metso has a full range of business operations in China that combine on-site service with global expertise.
Through internationally competitive technologies and integrated automation, Metso develops business relationship with various Chinese industries - both present and future.
At the heart of what Metso does is its strong commitment to its customers, and serving them at home in their local markets.
Currently, Metso runs four fully-owned manufacturing plants in China and shares two joint-venture plants with local partners. Including joint ventures, Metso employs more than 2,500 professionals in China.
Metso is involved in several investment projects in China. A solid track record and a trusted brand name give Metso Paper an edge in the market.
Since 1997, it has supplied 30 paper and board production lines worth 1.6 billion euros ($2.37 billion) with a total annual capacity of 7 million tons.
In Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu Province, Metso's Service Center's roll service capacity was doubled in October.
The coverage of Metso Paper's maintenance services in China will expand when the company's second service center is completed next year in Guangzhou. Initially, the center will have 40 service professionals.
In addition to service centers, Metso has established a logistics center in Waigaoqiao, near Shanghai. In autumn 2006, Metso acquired a paper and board machine production plant in Jiading, a suburb of Shanghai. A joint-venture company located in Xi'an also brings synergy to Metso Paper's operations.
Metso Automation has supplied automation and process control solutions to more than 100 industrial processes in China.
The construction and mining industry are key customers for Metso Minerals and Metso has been supplying them machines and equipment for decades.
Metso Minerals has delivered over 1,100 rock and mineral crushers to Chinese projects, as well as over 100 grinding mills for minerals and coal, and 30 bulk materials handling systems. July marked the production of Metso Minerals' 100th crusher made in China.
With 2006 net sales of approximately 5 billion euros ($7.42 billion), Metso's more than 26,000 employees in more than 50 countries serve customers in the pulp and paper industry, rock and minerals processing, the energy industry and selected other industries.
(China Daily 12/06/2007 page24)
