CHANGZHOU, China, Sept. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- UK-based medical devices manufacturer Intersurgical, Germany's Erdrich Umformtechnik and Japan-based Bridgestone have partnered with Changzhou National Hi-Tech District (CND) in Jiangsu, China, demonstrating their confidence in the Chinese market despite the challenging global economy.
Intersurgical Medical Device (Changzhou), a 9-million-British pound (approx. US$14.1 million) project set up in CND's Bio-Pharmaceutical Industrial Park, plans to begin construction in November 2013. The new project is Intersurgical's first wholly-owned production base in China and will produce devices for airway management, anesthesia, critical care and oxygen and aerosol therapy. Founded in 1982, Intersurgical is a leader in the anesthesia and respiratory supplies sector with subsidiaries in 13 countries. Intersurgical is the first company with a line of non-PVC anesthesia and respiratory products worldwide, benefiting the environment and people's health.
On August 27, Bridgestone further invested US$50 million in building a bicycle plant at CND. The facility is expected to have an annual capacity of 1 million bicycles, 100,000 electric bicycles, 500,000 bicycle parts and 2 million stainless bicycle rims, capable of generating sales of 1.15 billion yuan (approx. US$188 million) yearly. The firm will employ 1,200 workers. Bridgestone is the world's largest tire and rubber product manufacturer and a Fortune Global 500 company, with 2012 sales reaching US$35 billion. The company has established three wholly-owned plants at CND, which are involved, respectively, in bicycles, fluid technology and auto parts.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the US$20 million Erdrich Umformtechnik Metal Forming Technology (Changzhou) Company was held at CND on September 5. The company specializes in key automotive parts used in steering and suspension systems including steering linkages and cross arms for high-end German carmakers operating in China via in-house developed high precision molding. The new venture's customers include complete carmakers like BMW, Benz and VW as well as first-tier suppliers like Bosch. Erdrich CEO Georg Erdrich and his son said that as the Changzhou municipal government provided accurate and timely answers and solutions to a variety of issues, strengthening a sense of security and trust, they chose CND without hesitation over seven other Chinese cities.
