Sumitomo (SHI) Demag doubling machine production capacity in China

Solar-powered Ningbo factory expansion is underway, boosting production capacity for Asian markets and catering to rising demand for higher tonnage molding machines up to 1,500-ton clamp force.

 

Ningbo – January 2023. Sumitomo (SHI) Demag China has hosted a groundbreaking ceremony in the presence of local political figures at its Ningbo site, welcoming the start of construction for its new 4,000 square meter production hall. Attended by the mayor and city councilors from the Beilun district, CEO Pietro Scattarreggia marked the occasion by announcing that the bigger facility sets the path for future growth, creating 50 new jobs and doubling production capacity.

 

Granted permission to commence construction towards the end of 2022, Scattarreggia reports that the new facility is set to open in autumn 2023 to coincide with the Group’s 25th production anniversary in China. Putting into context the enormous market potential, the CEO affirmed that the Asian market in general, particularly automotive and electromobility in China, is booming. “Having experienced the strongest performance in the company’s history in 2021 and subsequent economic slowdown last year as a result of coronavirus policy restrictions, the future outlook remains very positive,” Scattarreggia confirms.

 

The expansion of the Ningbo production hall not only gives the team more space to manufacture more machines but also expands production to include the larger tonnage Systec Servo machines. “Until now, our production has been limited to machines with clamp forces up to 1,000 tons. Given the demand for larger precision components, being able to extend our product portfolio up to 1,500 tons means we can drastically reduce delivery times for customers in China and Asia,” reports Scattarreggia. He cites this above all else as the strategic rationale for the expansion.

 

With its hybrid drive concept, the Systec Servo series, characterized by its absolute precision, excellent stability and durability, offers manufacturers of automotive, white goods and consumer components a powerful and energy-efficient system. With full process integration for flexible and versatile production of larger components.

 

The Systec series is ideally suited to these processing requirements, reports Scattarreggia. To support the manufacturing of these larger and heavier machines, the Ningbo production hall is installing stronger cranes.

 

Additionally, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag China remains committed to reducing its production carbon footprint. An installation of a new solar system measuring 7,000 square meters last September means that the facility can operate virtually independently of the local energy supply, claims the CEO.

 

In recent years, many production sites in China have felt the impact of power rationing. With a solar source, the Ningbo facility will no longer be affected by future rations. “This is of great significance for production stability,” ends Scattarreggia.

 

 

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH

 

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag has shaped the development of the plastics industry from its very beginning. As a specialist for injection molding machines for plastics processing, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag and its Japanese parent company are leading the industry.

 

The global development and production network of Sumitomo Heavy Industries and Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is comprised of four facilities in Japan, Germany and China with more than 3,100 employees. The product portfolio includes all-electric, hydraulic and hybrid injection molding machines with clamping forces of between 500 and 15.000 kN. With more than 159,000 installed machines, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is present in important global markets and ranks among the largest manufacturers of injection molding machines in the world.

 

At Sumitomo’s headquarters in Chiba, Japan, the company manufactures machines with clamping forces in the small to medium range. Nearly 95 % of all delivered machines are equipped with an all-electric drive concept. Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s German facilities in Schwaig and Wiehe produce the Systec Servo range with a hybrid drive as well as the El-Exis SP and Systec SP range of high-speed, high-performance machines. The all-electric IntElect range for international customers is also being produced in Germany.

 

As early as 1998, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag set up its first production site in Ningbo/China. In 2015, the Chinese subsidiary Demag Plastics Machinery (Ningbo) Co., Ltd. installed a new facility with a 13,000 m² floor space. It is earmarked for the production of the Systec C range with clamping forces of between 500 and 10,000 kN for the Asian market.

 

In addition to injection molding machines, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag offers customized and standardized systems for part handling automation, technical and process solutions for special applications, tailored services and service concepts as well as a range of financial options to support investment in injection molding machines.

 

With its comprehensive sales and service network of subsidiaries and agencies, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is present in all major markets.