Chinese companies featured at DC expo

From the looks of things, Chinese businesses are making more inroads into the United States.

BeijingWest Industries (BWI), a Chinese chassis supplier that designs and manufactures brake and suspension systems for the automotive market, is scheduled to break ground on its first US production facility, in Greenfield, Indiana on June 28.

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb said in a statement for the 2017 SelectUSA held in Washington that he is "thrilled" that BWI chose the Hoosier State to locate its first US facility.

"Indiana is home to the second-largest automotive industry in the nation, and we offer companies like BWI close proximity to their customers," Holcomb said. "As a state, we must continue to provide the skilled workforce, world-class infrastructure and pro-growth tax climate that attracts and supports business and residents."

BWI will invest more than $80 million to build and equip a 276,514-square-foot manufacturing facility in Greenfield's Progress Park. The project is expected to create up to 441 high-wage jobs by 2021. The investment will become one of the biggest investments from China in Indiana. Thirteen Chinese companies have already made investments in Indiana.

The production is expected to be launched in August 2019. With its growth, BWI expects to increase its production by 4 million parts per year to meet the continued demand from its customers, including Audi, BMW and Ferrari.

At the 2017 SelectUSA exhibition hall in National Harbor, 154 exhibitors from US states, governments and the private sector have shown great interest in attracting foreign investors, including those from China.

Wally Wang, senior project manager for global business development at the South Carolina Department of Commerce, said South Carolina attracted $1.1 billion in investment from China from 2008 to 2016 and created 3,300 jobs.

Thirty-four Chinese companies have chosen South Carolina as their US homes. They range from auto parts, manufacturing and chemicals to textile and plastics.

China Hengshi Foundation Co, which makes fiberglass fabrics primarily for wind turbine blades, said last month that they are investing $11.1 million and creating 48 jobs in Richland County. It plans to have its 111,000-square-foot manufacturing facility operational by the fourth quarter of 2017.

"We're proud to welcome China Hengshi to the South Carolina business community," South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said. "It's a privilege to welcome any company that has decided to do business here, but the 48 new jobs that this investment means for Richland County is an important step forward to continuing the growth of our manufacturing industry."

"We want more Chinese investment in South Carolina. Our relationship is getting strong and we would like it to get stronger," McMaster added.

Last month, Jinyu Bio-technology Co Ltd, the largest animal vaccine company in China, said that it will open a research lab in the Kansas State University Office Park.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jinyu to our corridor community," said Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor.

leshuodong@chinadailyusa.com