Arrived in Taicang

With its new China headquarters in Taicang, Schmalz is further expanding its position in its most important growth market. (Image: J. Schmalz GmbH)

Think ahead to tomorrow: Nearly 27,000 square meters of land provide ample reserves for further growth. (Image: J. Schmalz GmbH)

Effective immediately, Schmalz is manufacturing both individual vacuum components and complete systems for automation and manual handling with vacuum at its new China headquarters in Taicang. At the groundbreaking two years ago, the Glattener company set the goal of focusing not only on practical benefits but also on sustainability aspects – has this been achieved?

In early 2020, J. Schmalz GmbH acquired a roughly 27,000 square meter plot of land on West Dalian Road, Taicang City, about 50 kilometers northwest of Shanghai's city center. Today, there are an office building, a production facility, and a warehouse. In addition, Schmalz operates a sales headquarters in Shanghai and several branch offices, including in Beijing and Shenzhen. The new Schmalz (China) Co., Ltd. headquarters in Taicang focuses on manufacturing vacuum components and systems. With the new location, not only is local value creation significantly expanded, but customers from various industries are also served in the best possible way. In the future, products specifically developed for the Chinese market are also to be created – all in accordance with the "local-for-local" principle.

And what about the sustainability claim? Schmalz implements this in multiple ways: The 4,000-square-meter production hall is equipped with a photovoltaic system with a rated capacity of 280 kWp. Geothermal energy and two heat pumps assist in heating and cooling the buildings, while frequency-controlled ventilation systems ensure the right amount of fresh air in the administrative building. Additionally, an energy management system and charging stations for electric vehicles are part of the site. But Schmalz has not only thought about resource conservation but also about the working environment: height-adjustable desks at all workstations, touchscreen screens in meeting rooms and on the shop floor are intended to increase productivity, as well as a leisure area and canteen for relaxation and refreshment.

The decision to establish the China headquarters in Taicang was obvious. The city administration makes it easier for innovative SMEs to settle locally – already including 350 German companies. The well-qualified supplier network and proximity to Shanghai also speak in favor of the city in Jiangsu Province.

"With the new China headquarters, we have an ideal base to further expand our position as a renowned provider in China's most important growth market for Schmalz," says Dr. Kurt Schmalz, managing partner of J. Schmalz GmbH. If these expectations are met, the vacuum expert is prepared: expansion areas for all building parts are ready to support further growth in the local business.