Beumer Taicang's 500th German firm

Beumer Group inaugurated its new facility in Taicang, Jiangsu province, saying it has strong confidence in the Chinese market.

Operated by Beumer Enterprise Management (Taicang) Co, a unit of intralogistics systems giant Beumer Group, the opening of the workshop makes the company the 500th German-funded enterprise in Taicang.

The facility, with an investment totaling 100 million euros ($117.23 million), serves as an advanced manufacturing and research center in China. The center is projected to achieve an annual output value exceeding 1.4 billion yuan ($198.8 million).

Christoph Beumer, chairman of the advisory board of Beumer Group, said: "As the 500th German enterprise in Taicang, we have acquired 50 mu (around 3.3 hectares) for the project's phase I to establish a state-of-the-art and digital manufacturing footprint of Beumer Group. This facility will also expand our advanced research and development presence in China."

Beumer said the Taicang government offered guidance and support for the project, enabling the project to start operating in 115 days since the initial investment agreement was signed.

"We believe there is still immense potential in the Chinese market," Beumer said. "We look forward to further growth and to contributing even more to the development of China, especially Taicang, as a partner of choice."

Rudolf Hausladen, CEO of the group, said that the company's core competence aligns perfectly with China's vision for sustainable and innovative development.

"The setup we have established here reflects our confidence in China's future," he said. "Our commitment to invest and grow in China remains stronger than ever."

Huang Xiaohua, chief financial officer of Beumer China, highlighted the impressive business environment in Taicang, characterized by "no disturbances unless necessary, and prompt responses to requests" during the plant's construction.

Xu Huadong, mayor of Taicang, said the city is committed to creating a world-class business environment.

"The Beumer Taicang plant project demonstrates our efficient collaboration and win-win cooperation spirit," Xu said, "We will continue to provide comprehensive services and support to help enterprises in Taicang grow steadily and thrive."

Taicang has pioneered a service model for German enterprises, which includes a joint meeting system for intellectual property protection and special services such as dedicated channels for German enterprises, a green channel for real estate registration, a German-language tax window, and a one-stop service for foreigners' work and residence permits.

Since 1993, when Taicang welcomed its first German enterprise, the city's cooperation with Germany has been deepening continuously. It took 14 years for the number of German enterprises in Taicang to reach 100, but merely 2 years to grow from 400 to 500.

German enterprises in Taicang have formed industrial clusters in automotive core components, industrial machines and aerospace. Among the top 10 machine tool companies, six have settled in Taicang, and among the top 20 family enterprises, eight have established a presence.

The total investment by German enterprises exceeds $6 billion, with an annual industrial output value exceeding 67 billion yuan.

Currently, over 600 local enterprises in Taicang have achieved cooperation with German enterprises.

cangwei@chinadaily.com.cn