MAPLAN Maschinen u. technische Anlagen, Planungs- u. Fertigungsgesellschaft m.b.H

On 22/09/2017, Maplan started production in the technologically advanced industrial estate of Wujin in the Shanghai region. Up to 200 machines a year will be produced of European quality but at Chinese labour costs to serve the Asian market.

“Quality alone is not enough. Companies producing for the Asian market in Europe face a constant competitive disadvantage in terms of speed and service. This is why we are now producing right inside China for the Asian market. There is high degree of consumer interest and the first orders for 2018 have already been placed”, says Maplan CEO Wolfgang Meyer. The choice of location was made in April and MAPLAN Rubber Machinery Co. Ltd. was founded. The assembly of two main machine types started in the summer: vertical machines of 250 tons and up to 400 tons. The plant was opened together with international customers as well as stakeholders, and the first five Maplan machines made in China were presented.

Covering an area of 4,000 square metres, the plant has a production capacity of over 200 machines per year. The location in the Shanghai region offers perfect infrastructure, with many customers and leading suppliers present locally. 50 percent of all machine parts used for production already come from the region.

Another advantage of our new location: No more customs and week-long maritime transports. In addition, this improves the relationship Chinese clients have to Europe since many Chinese firms have already bought companies in Germany and the US. Maplan is now able to handle after-sales, servicing and production for Chinese customers in both Europe and in China. This allows us to offer better service, as machines are continuously being technically adjusted and upgraded. This requires short distances and close collaboration. This support will now be offered locally!

“We have optimised our production and build top-quality machines thanks to shorter distances and integrated processes. We have now transferred this competence to Asia. Many Asian companies have long since made the shift towards quality and now rely on stable, durable machines of the same quality as those with the made in Europe sign. The increasing quality awareness and growth figures make this market very interesting for us”, says Maplan owner Philippe Soulier.

Although recently the absolute growth figure has declined somewhat, Asia still remains the fastest growing market worldwide. Automobile production in China is booming; car production has increased eight-fold since 2005. This sector is central for Maplan as the machine component manufacturer’s injection moulding machines are used in the automotive industry to produce rubber-metal parts for vibration dampening. “If you want to be successful in the global market, you have to hone production, decrease costs and be represented at locations around the world. We are successfully implementing this strategy and have been rewarded in 2017 with the best situation in the our company’s history with regards to orders”, says Wolfgang Meyer.

However, growth in Asia will not happen at the expense of locations in Europe. An investment of €12 million has been made in the high-tech area of Kottingbrunn near Vienna, new employees are being recruited regularly, and a supplier plant for components will go into operation in Slovakia at the beginning of 2018.